This year we have participated for the first time in the employer competition “Great Place to Work”. Among the 252 participating companies we reached a 82nd rank. We are very proud about this result because since the foundation of our company almost twenty years ago, we have consistently established a corporate culture that is based on our values “fair”, “responsible”, “together” and “excellent”. Within the survey an independent external institute evaluated EOS. We have been able to show imposingly that our philosophy has worked out: We are convinced that our investments in a good working climate are beneficial because the company’s success would be impossible without our loyal and committed employees. To qualify for the competition we had to get over two challenges: First of all, we collected all our personal processes systematically in a so-called culture audit. Second, more than 50% of our employees had to participate in an anonymous survey. Within the EOS GmbH more than 75% of the employees seized this opportunity.

In July 2007, we have been awarded the TOP 100 seal of approval for our outstanding achievements in innovation. The accolade has been awarded to us as part of a nation-wide benchmarking survey. The study evaluates the innovative success on the market. In addition, it assesses four areas of innovation management: innovative processes and organisation, the innovation climate, the way a company markets its innovative products and how innovative-friendly its senior management is. We were able to convince the jury in all categories and earned ourselves a place among the TOP 100. We create a good climate of innovation by close interaction between the individual departments, job rotation as well as realistic objective. Our R&D employees are encouraged to use a defined part of their working time for collecting ideas that go beyond the official development plans.

In July 2006, we received the award "Bavarians Best 50". The award honours the 50 companies in the state of Bavaria, Germany, with the highest growth rate. We were able to increase our sales and number of employees above average in the years from 2001 until 2005. For us it is highly important to grow organically in terms of sales growth as well as job creation and not purely from mergers and acquisitions.

We are very proud of being part of the Initiative Fair Company because we take it for granted to give graduates a fair chance on appropriate payment.

We

• Do not substitute full-time jobs by student apprentices
• Do not put off graduates having applied for a "proper job" with a practical training
• Do not lure student apprentices with the vague prospect on a susequent full-time job
• Offer practical training exclusively for students during their orientation and preparation phase
• Pay student practical trainings adequately.

The career entry opportunities for job starters are only one example of our values culture. Taking part in this initiative is highly important for our company. It shows very well that our values do not only exist in writing, but that we implement and practise them in everyday life.