südback Trend Award 2024
The renowned südback Trend Award is a top-class award with the aim of recognizing developments in terms of technical innovations, design and concepts.
The südback Trend Award is organized by Messe Stuttgart. The Allgemeine BäckerZeitung (ABZ) and BÄKO-magazin support this competition as partners. Co-organizers are the BÄKO-Zentrale eG and the Landesinnungsverband für das Württembergische Bäckerhandwerk e. V. (Württemberg Bakers' Guild Association).
The winners of the südback Trend Award 2024
- Category Marketing, Sales & Organization
- Category Raw Materials & Convenience
- Category Technology
- Sustainability Award
The winner in the "Marketing, Sales and Organization" category is BÄKO Head Office (BÄKO-ZENTRALE eG) with "BÄKO-AutoPOS - with AI-controlled tool for cashless, autonomous branch management". BÄKO-AutoPOS is an AI-based software solution that actively supports the shopping process of bakery branch customers, enabling them to shop freely and independently without the need for staff or cashiers.
"BÄKO-AutoPOS creates a cashless shopping experience without having to stand in queues at a till. This means that there is more time for personal advice. The automated processes also increase efficiency in branch operations while the digital payment prevents cash differences," said Stefan Strehle, CEO of the BÄKO Head Office (BÄKO-ZENTRALE eG) in Duisburg. "Here at BÄKO, we regard the award as a very important and relevant benchmark for innovative capacity that was attained here in particular through our strategic alliance with AUTONOMO Technologies and KORTE Ladenbau," said Strehle.
UNIFERM GmbH & Co. KG won in the "Raw Materials" category with its new "UNIFERM FermFresh® AromaDurum". This liquid fermentation product is based on durum wheat and uses a unique UNIFERM process - the original DuoFermentation. This process combines the advantages of sourdough fermentation and yeast fermentation in one product. The result is an incomparable aroma cuvée that considerably expands the variety of aromas and flavors.
"Fermentation is a viable and innovative concept," emphasised Elke Preissler, Head of Corporate and Marketing Communication at UNIFERM. "We are fortunate to have already won the südback Trend Award in 2017. We are therefore all the more delighted that we once again managed to impress the jury with our further development, i.e. duo fermentation, thanks to continuous research and development activities."
VEMAG Maschinenbau GmbH received the most points in the "Technology" category with its "Automation solution for filling sheets, baking tins and cake rings". The filling table can be used to precisely and continuously portion, dress or place doughs and batters onto trays or into molds.
"Our know-how lies in the development of innovative machines for the bakery industry," said Christoph Thelen, Managing Director of VEMAG Maschinenbau GmbH. "With the new FT722 filling table we are providing companies with a solution that enables them to better cope with current challenges such as staff shortages or rising costs." The award is an incentive for Christoph Thelen and his team to continue developing solutions for the bakery industry that the market needs.
Schneider GmbH has won the sustainability award with its "Greeny" innovation. The disposable piping bag "Greeny" is a sustainable product made without plastic and is suitable for all bakers, confectioners and the catering industry.
"Our disposable piping bag 'Greeny' is a sustainable product that contains no plastic and is suitable for all bakers, confectioners and restaurants," said Jochen Schneider, Managing Director of Schneider GmbH. "We are very proud to have won the award and would like to thank the jury for choosing our company. We are therefore very much looking forward to the forthcoming südback, which will undoubtedly be a complete success again."