RUD honoured as a "hidden champion" of the 21st century

The RUD Group is a German company with its headquarters at Friedensinsel in Aalen-Unterkochen. It has now been singled out by Hermann Simon – the renowned authority on management, and best-selling author – as one of the hidden champions of the 21st century. Hidden champions are relatively little known, mid-sized, world market leaders, of which there are over 700 in Germany alone. These companies have shown excellent development since the 1990s, in contrast to many of the large corporations which are setting the rather subdued tone in Germany. All the hidden champions, such as RUD, are currently going through a phase of massive technological innovation. On average they own no less than five times as many patents per employee as the major corporations! As best-in-sector, their market shares have been increasing both in Europe and the rest of the world. Indeed, they are feared competitors all around the globe. With more than 130 years of experience behind it, RUD is also developing solutions based on the round steel chain for the most diverse fields of application, using chain systems and components in a very wide range of shapes and sizes. All RUD products are the result of its striving for perfection and creativity in its core competences of forming, welding, heat treatment and surface technology.

Jürgen R. Thumann, the president of the BDI (Confederation of German Industry), referred to Hermann Simon's new book, "Hidden Champions of the 21st Century", as "required reading" for anyone who wants to understand the success story of Germany's small and medium-sized businesses. Hidden champions use almost a completely different strategy to that of the big firms. The success of a hidden champion, such as RUD, is based on the twin concepts of focusing and globalizing. Hermann Simon emphasized that you could only become world class if you focus, and your market would only become large enough if you globalize. Hidden champions build on their own strengths. For example, employee loyalty is exemplary in the RUD Group. Its staff turnover averages less than 2.7 percent, whereas it is 7.3 percent in the German economy as a whole. Hermann Simon therefore regards the hidden champions as being extremely well equipped for the next round of global competition. Germany and China have been the main winners of globalization. And the hidden champions are becoming Eurasian enterprises. As the world market leader in its sector, a "hidden champion" such as RUD is not a victim but a driver of globalization. Management philosopher Simon is therefore recommending that these champions' strategies for success should become the model for large and mid-sized companies.