Nürtingen's UV specialist nominated for "Mittelstandspreis" in recognition of its social commitment

Nürtingen, 21st June 2012: IST METZ GmbH has been nominated for this year's "Mittelstandspreis", a prize awarded to medium-sized companies in recognition of their social commitment in Baden-Württemberg. The nomination comes in appreciation of the work carried out by the IST METZ FOUNDATION - TIME FOR PEOPLE, which has supported the close collaboration of IST METZ GmbH and Werkstatt am Neckar since 2008.

IST METZ is one of five companies nominated, appearing in the category for companies with 500 employees or less. A total of 215 companies submitted entries this year, representing a wealth of social commitment that includes everything from family, integration, work and education to culture, the environment and sport.

The IST METZ Foundation - Time for People works closely together with Werkstatt am Neckar in Wendlingen. This is a charitable facility (or “workshop”) for the occupational rehabilitation of people with mental illness. The work carried out by the foundation is closely connected to that of the company IST METZ with, for example, a stay in the workshop included as part of company training. To encourage the personal development of the workshop participants, apprentices at IST METZ GmbH organise Internet courses, there are health-related activities offered, such as back gymnastics, as well as group events held involving both IST METZ employees and those attending the workshop. An integration officer provides the workshop participants with support as they return to the job market, while the foundation also encourages dialogue with companies from the region with its "workshop talks".

"For us, this nomination is a valued recognition of the work our foundation carries out and an incentive to continue doing what we do," says Silvia Zuckrigl, spokesperson for the IST METZ Foundation - Time for People.

The "Mittelstandspreis" for social commitment in Baden-Württemberg honours small and medium-sized companies who are actively engaged in service to society. The prize is awarded by Caritas in Baden-Württemberg, together with the Ministry for Finance and Economics in Baden-Württemberg. Patrons include Dr. Gebhard Fürst, Bishop of the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, Dr. Robert Zollitsch, Archbishop of the Archdiocese in Freiburg, as well as Dr. Nils Schmid, Minister for Finance and Economics in Baden-Württemberg.

The winners will be presented with their awards during a special ceremony held on 26 June in Stuttgart.