uma is among the TOP 100 innovators

For the third time, uma Schreibgeräte Ullmann GmbH has won the coveted TOP 100 Award, placing it among Germany’s top innovators. The TOP 100 seal, which is awarded to particularly innovative medium-sized companies, honours not only the innovative output, but also the entire innovation potential within a company. At the official award ceremony on 28 June, science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar congratulated the company on this achievement.

“A ballpoint pen is more than just a writing instrument” – uma has proven this time and again in recent years. The family business has established itself worldwide as a manufacturer of writing instruments in the promotional product sector and stands out with their unusual, innovative and sustainable promotional writing instruments, particularly through their use of recycled and recyclable materials. “In our search for a sustainable approach, we came across recycled PET material back in 2016,” explains Alexander Ullmann, Managing Director of uma Schreibgeräte Ullmann GmbH. What began for the writing instrument specialist in 2016 with the courage to try out new ideas has now grown into a product line with over 20 different models.

By upcycling in this way, the writing instrument specialist from Fischerbach has created an exemplary model of sustainability. The granulate from a 0.5 litre PET bottle can be collected, sorted and recycled, and moulded into an uma writing instrument, which can then be used as a long-lasting promotional medium. “Europe’s most popular writing instrument series thus impressively demonstrates that these innovations in the use and processing of materials can sustainably assert themselves on the market,” explains Alexander Ullmann and adds: “We are constantly giving the uma quality refill a new, fitting look and know how to optimally showcase the customer’s promotional message.”

“Even if it’s just a writing instrument, we never tire of using new materials and new production processes to stay one step ahead of market requirements,” adds his brother, Managing Director Jochen Ullmann. For the family business, it is not ‘just’ about product development but also about practising sustainability. For this reason, the entire production in Fischerbach has been climate-neutral since 2019. After determining the CO2 emissions, the top priority is their active reduction, in addition to offsetting. Since the beginning of 2023, large-scale photovoltaic systems have adorned all three uma plant buildings. As a result of this environmentally conscious approach, the company decided to have its quality and environmental management system certified in the middle of last year and is now ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 certified.

Constantly optimised processes, technology used specifically in the area of writing instrument finishing and new, contemporary sales support measures for uma customers are the basis for the renewed TOP 100 Innovator award. “We are committed to sustainability in the development of new models. It makes us proud that, as a third-generation family business, we have now been awarded the TOP 100 seal for the third time, after 2019 and 2022. It confirms our innovative and forward-looking approach,” summarises Managing Director Peter Ullmann. www.uma-pen.com

Photo: Joy at the award ceremony (from left): Managing Director Jochen Ullmann, science journalist Ranga Yogeshwar and Jessica Ullmann. Picture source: © compamedia