Kettenbach has been named a recipient of the TOP 100 Award 2026, recognizing the company among the most innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany. The family-owned manufacturer, headquartered in Eschenburg and active internationally in dental materials, was acknowledged by the award jury for its structured, science-based innovation strategy and its organizational culture supporting innovation. The award ceremony is scheduled for June 26, 2026, during the German SME Summit at the Heidelberg Congress Center. The TOP 100 competition is mentored by former German President Christian Wulff.
The TOP 100 Award is determined through a scientific evaluation process involving more than 100 criteria. The assessment is led by innovation researcher Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke of the Vienna University of Economics and Business and examines areas such as innovation-oriented leadership, organizational climate, structured development processes, and the integration of digital technologies into innovation activities.
Longstanding Focus on Innovation in Dental Materials
Innovation has been a defining component of Kettenbach’s development in the dental sector. In 1955, the company introduced the first silicone-based dental impression material, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of impression technologies. Today, the company continues to develop products across preventive, restorative, and impression material categories, with an emphasis on practical usability in clinical settings.
Kettenbach reports that ongoing product portfolio development is guided by efforts to anticipate changes in the dental market and address emerging clinical and practice needs. Since May 2025, the company has been led by Managing Director Tabea Fey, who commented on the recognition:
“For us, innovation means staying close to the user, identifying market needs at anearly stage, and translating them into intelligent, practice-oriented solutions. Receiving the TOP 100 Award confirms that we are on the right track and motivates us to consistently pursue it further.”
Organizational Collaboration and Digital Development
According to the company, innovation activities involve interdisciplinary project teams working within a matrix organizational structure. Idea management processes and feedback from dental professionals are incorporated into development workflows. The company is also expanding digitalization initiatives across internal processes with the aim of streamlining workflows and supporting product development.
Kettenbach stated that the TOP 100 Award 2026 affirms its current approach to innovation and reinforces its commitment to developing materials intended to support dental professionals in clinical practice.
About the TOP 100 Competition
Since 1993, the TOP 100 Award has been presented by compamedia to small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany demonstrating strong innovative capacity and measurable innovation success. The scientific leadership of the competition is provided by Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke of the Vienna University of Economics and Business. The initiative is mentored by Christian Wulff, with project partners including the Fraunhofer Society and the German SME Association.
