February 19, Litoměřice – The eighth year of the Innovative Company of the Ústí nad Labem Region competition is underway, organized by the Innovation Center of the Ústí nad Labem Region (ICUK) in cooperation with the Ústí nad Labem Region, knows its winners. The gala evening took place this year at The castle in Litoměřice, whose unique atmosphere underlined the exceptional nature of the evening, presented the most interesting innovations - technological innovations, smart solutions and bold projects of companies that push the boundaries of industry, digitalization, healthcare and agriculture in the region.
The competition annually recognizes innovations in products, services or technologies implemented
in the region over the past three years. An expert jury with representatives of CzechInvest, ICUK, competition partner Komerční banka and other expert consultants selected the best corporate innovations in two categories – small and medium-sized enterprises and large enterprises.
At the gala evening on Thursday, February 19, the awards were presented by representatives of the competition partners - the Ústí nad Labem Region Councilor for ICUK Jiří Valenta, the Mayor of Litoměřice Radek Löwy, the Director of the Municipal Cultural Facilities of Litoměřice Michaela Mokrá, the Vice-Dean for Development and Quality of UJEP Michaela Liegertová, the Director of the Regional Corporate Center of Komerční banka Jaroslav Tichý and, on behalf of the organizer, the Director of the Innovation Center of the Ústí nad Labem Region Martin Mata.
Technology for demanding industries
In the category of large companies, the company took first place. Hennlich, a technical distributor and manufacturer among the leaders in the field of industrial technologies in the Czech Republic and abroad. It received the award for the electro-mechanical 3D manipulator SEL designed for the assembly and disassembly of aircraft engines weighing up to 20 tons. The innovation allows for the final assembly of the engine at various angles, which is specific, for example, for Boeing aircraft.
"There is no room for compromise when it comes to handling aircraft engines, which is why Hennlich's innovation is so exceptional. It shows that even in a traditionally industrial region, technologies are emerging that aim for the absolute top.,", said ICUK director Martin Mata, who personally presented the awards to the winners.
The company won second place Malfini, Central European leader in the advertising textile market. The jury was impressed by the installation of automated HAIPICK technology, which significantly increases storage capacity, speeds up order picking and streamlines logistics processes. Third place goes to the company ORLEN Unipetrol RPA, which entered the competition to use a geographic information system (GIS) to increase operational efficiency and process safety with an emphasis on mobile applications.
Innovation across disciplines, connected by practice
The company won in the small and medium-sized enterprise category. Agro Kadaň, the largest Czech grower of tomatoes and cucumbers under the brand Our Tomato. It received the award for its unique biotechnology of gentle cultivation without cultivation chemicals, based on biological protection and the use of fungal mycelia, which naturally strengthen the immunity and yield of plants. The company's know-how is exceptional even in international comparison.
Second place went to a technology company Galileo Corporation, which develops digital solutions for municipalities and public administration. It submitted the first comprehensive ecosystem for digital citizenship focused on security, legislative compliance, and accessible communication with citizens.
In third place was simULmed, a specialist in realistic medical simulators. The jury praised the intelligent bleeding simulator simBLEED, which allows for faithful training of interventions in the event of massive bleeding and increases the preparedness of healthcare professionals and emergency services.
"This year, the SME category beautifully demonstrated that innovations can arise across very different fields, but they are united by the same principle – the search for smart and practical solutions to the real challenges of today. Projects on sustainable food production, digitalization of public administration and modern education of healthcare professionals prove that smaller companies can respond quickly to the needs of society and bring innovations with an immediate impact.“,“ Jaroslav Tichý, director of the Komerční banka corporate center for the Ústí nad Labem region, commented on the results of the jury representative and competition partner.
An innovative personality and a legacy that continues
A special category of the Innovative Company of the Ústí nad Labem Region competition is the Professor Jiřina Jílková Award, which recognizes a personality with an extraordinary contribution to the development of the Ústí nad Labem Region in the field of innovation.
This year's edition commemorated a personality Peter Hudsky, who has made a significant contribution to supporting technical education and working with young talents in the region. It was his energy and vision that were at the heart of the project DONE, which connects students, mentors and practitioners and opens the way for young people to modern technologies and international experience.
The idea for the project was created together with his family and gradually gained support from partners, including the Innovation Center of the Ústí nad Labem Region, which helped develop the project into the form in which it now inspires students to technology, teamwork and innovative thinking. The ROBUL project continues to carry the legacy of a man who believed that the future of the region rests on young people and their courage to create new things.
Petr Hudský was not only a partner in the creation of the ROBUL project for me, but above all a close friend who had enormous energy and the ability to inspire others for things that made sense. He believed in young people, in their talent and that if given the opportunity, they could do great things. I am glad that his legacy lives on today through the ROBUL project and inspires future generations of students in our region.,"," added Martin Mata, director of ICUK, in conclusion.
The winning companies not only received commemorative plaques and a financial reward, but also the opportunity to use the title Innovative Company of the Ústí nad Labem Region 2025.
The competition is organized by the Innovation Center of the Ústí nad Labem Region. The main partners are the Ústí nad Labem Region and Komerční banka, the expert partner is the CzechInvest agency. Other partners are the Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem and the Regional Chamber of Commerce of the Ústí nad Labem Region. The competition is supported by the Smart Accelerator III project for the Ústí nad Labem Region,
CZ.02.01.02/00/22_009/0004316 and this year it was also supported by the mayor of the host city, Radek Löwy, at the Litoměřice Castle.
