For the first time, all four business units of the Hennecke Group have obtained Great Place to Work certification. The international polyurethane machinery specialist reports a marked cultural transformation across its global operations in Germany, the USA, China and Italy, reflected in the latest employee survey that also included the affiliated Sales & Service Units. Since 2021, the proportion of employees who describe Hennecke as “a great place to work” has increased by 22 percentage points to 78 percent. At the same time, participation in the global survey reached a record level, with 91 percent of the workforce taking part. The certification is based entirely on anonymous feedback from current employees and is recognized worldwide as a leading benchmark for workplace culture, with more than 10,000 companies from over 60 countries applying for the recognition each year.
Structured cultural development since 2021
Hennecke Group has followed a systematic approach to improving its workplace culture since 2021. Three consecutive global surveys in 2021, 2023 and 2025 document continuous progress across all measured dimensions of the Great Place to Work model. According to the company, improvements are particularly pronounced in key factors such as internal communication, collaboration and leadership behavior, each of which improved significantly by between 19 and 22 percentage points.
Further core areas of the model also registered clear gains. Credibility and respect each increased by 19 percentage points, while indicators related to team spirit and corporate image improved by 15 points. Taken together, these developments form the basis for the first-time certification of all four Hennecke business units, including their associated sales and service organizations.
Hennecke Business System as the foundation
Management attributes the cultural progress and certification to the consistent implementation of the Hennecke Business System. Thomas Wildt, CEO of Hennecke Group, sees the result as confirmation of the chosen strategy: “This award is a direct result of our work with the Hennecke Business System (HBS). We are especially proud that we achieved equally strong results across all four Business Units. With the global implementation of HBS and its lived success culture, we have built a self-learning organization that is managed worldwide based on transparent metrics. The development of recent years confirms the impact of our clear focus and systematic approach.”
The Hennecke Business System was introduced in mid-2019 and is rooted in the company’s vision and mission. It is designed to enable sustainable business development by creating long-term customer value. At the same time, it provides a framework for leadership, corporate culture and continuous improvement across all locations. According to Hennecke, the global rollout of HBS has been central to establishing common standards and measurement for organizational performance and people management.
Measures implemented across all locations
The reported improvements in workplace culture are underpinned by a broad package of initiatives implemented at Hennecke Group sites worldwide. A key element is leadership development via the Hennecke Leadership Academy, which was launched in 2021 and has since produced more than 100 graduates. The program aims to strengthen leadership capabilities in line with the principles of the Hennecke Business System.
In addition, the company highlights structured knowledge transfer and technical training measures that support professional development. Flexible working models were introduced or expanded with the objective of improving work-life balance for employees in different regions and functions. These initiatives are complemented by extensive health programs and the modernization of infrastructure and workplaces at many sites.
To reinforce social cohesion, Hennecke has also invested in team-building formats, community events and charity initiatives. According to the company, these activities contribute to a stronger sense of belonging and shared responsibility within the international workforce.
The Hennecke Group has received the Great Place To Work certification for the first time – 78% of employees rate the company as “a great place to work.”
Stronger identification and focus on fairness
Beyond structural and process-related improvements, the survey results point to a clear shift in employees’ emotional connection to the company. Pride in shared achievements increased by 9 percentage points compared with earlier surveys, while pride in working at Hennecke rose by 13 points. These indicators suggest a growing identification with the organization and its direction.
The findings in the area of fairness and equal treatment are particularly notable. More than 90 percent of respondents state that they experience fair treatment regardless of sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic origin or gender. The company interprets these high approval levels as evidence that a workplace culture based on mutual respect and appreciation has been established at Hennecke Group.
Continuous improvement beyond first certification
Hennecke emphasizes that the current certification is considered a milestone rather than an endpoint. Commenting on the development, Jens Frandrup, Vice President Human Resources of Hennecke Group, states: “We are very pleased with this strong result. However, this is no reason for us to rest on our accomplishments, because improving workplace culture is a continuous process. With this first certification, we have reached an important milestone that confirms our progress so far. We will continue on this path consistently.”
The latest global survey also identified areas with potential for further improvement. These topics will be given increased attention in the coming years as part of the ongoing development of the Hennecke Business System and associated programs. The company underlines its commitment to continuously developing its workplace culture across all business units and locations.
