Private brewery Gaffel receives Business Excellence 2025 award for strategic growth from DIE FAMILIENUNTERNEHMER

The private brewery Gaffel has been awarded the Business Excellence 2025 prize in the category of strategic growth. The award ceremony took place during a festive gala at the Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg in Bergisch Gladbach.

The award is presented annually by the associations Die Familienunternehmer (The Family Entrepreneurs) and Die jungen Unternehmer (The Young Entrepreneurs) of the Düsseldorf Lower Rhine and Cologne Bonn metropolitan region. The winners were selected by a seven-member jury headed by Prof. Dr. Nadine Kammerlander, WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Vallendar.

Heinrich Philipp Becker, managing partner of the private brewery Gaffel, accepted the award. The laudatory speech was given by Frank Hoppe, branch manager of Hauck Aufhäuser Lampe Privatbank AG in Cologne, which is also the sponsor of the award.

The award recognized Gaffel for combining tradition and innovation and for its long-term growth. Under the leadership of Heinrich Philipp Becker, the family-owned brewery has continuously expanded its market position and established itself as a modern company with regional roots.

A milestone in this development was the expansion of the brewery in Cologne-Porz, which is considered one of the most modern breweries in Europe. In addition, Gaffel has evolved from a single brand to a diverse portfolio brewery. Gaffel's Fassbrause opened up a completely new segment. Specialties such as Gaffel Wiess, innovations such as Gaffel Lemon, creative mixed drinks, and award-winning spirits expand the range.

Gaffel also sets standards in the restaurant industry: since 2008, Gaffel am Dom has been Cologne's most modern brewery, attracting around one million visitors annually.

“Gaffel stands not only for strategic growth, but also for community, culture, and home,” said Frank Hoppe in his laudatory speech. “The award is a special recognition of this path, which has been pursued with courage, passion, and foresight.”

“The award fills us with pride because it shows that we are on the right track with our blend of Cologne tradition and innovative ideas,” emphasizes Heinrich Philipp Becker. “For us, strategic growth means not only numbers and markets, but also responsibility for our region, our employees, and our customers. The fact that this path is now being recognized is a confirmation of the work of our entire team.”

In addition to the private brewery Gaffel, SN Demontage GmbH from Neuss was also honored with the Business Excellence 2025 Entrepreneur Award for transformation, and the DevelopVisio Group for sustainability.