"Fränkin Overjoyed by 'Bavaria's Entrepreneur of the Year' Accolade"
In a grand ceremony held at Schloss Schleißheim near Munich on July 29, 2025, Stefanie Riedel, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Riedel Bau AG, was named the winner of the prestigious "Bayerische Unternehmerin des Jahres" (Bavarian Entrepreneur of the Year) award. This annual event, organized by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, honours the economic success and active leadership roles of entrepreneurs.
Riedel Bau AG, a family-owned construction company based in Schweinfurt, was founded by Stefanie's great-grandfather Johann Riedel in 1899. Stefanie joined the company in 2007 following the death of her father Gert Riedel and was appointed Chairwoman in 2014, leading the company now in its fourth generation.
Under Stefanie's leadership, Riedel Bau AG has made significant strides in sustainability, innovation, and research. The company, which employs around 650 employees from 27 nations at eight locations, boasts a turnover of approximately 380 million euros. Stefanie steers the company with a clear commitment to integrating social, societal, and ecological responsibility into business practices.
One of the notable achievements under Stefanie's leadership is the foundation of the Gert-Riedel-Stiftung in 2017, which supports charitable, social, and ecological projects. The company also implements a sustainability strategy that includes measures such as sustainable construction, the use of solar energy, restructuring the vehicle fleet to electric vehicles, and promoting social sustainability through a company-wide women's network.
The focus of this year's award ceremony included social, societal, and ecological themes, reflecting the growing importance of these issues in business. Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger, emphasized the importance of female entrepreneurship at the event, stating that it plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and innovation.
The award aims to increase visibility of female role models in the economy. Stefanie Riedel, with her commitment to sustainable growth, innovation, and corporate social responsibility, serves as a shining example for other entrepreneurs. Her achievements in the field of building entrepreneurship, particularly in Franconia where she hails from, have been widely recognized.
This year, 15 companies from Franconia were among the award recipients in the statewide competition "Bayerns Best 50", which honours the 50 most dynamic medium-sized companies in Bavaria annually. The competition underscores the region's thriving business landscape and the significant contributions of its entrepreneurs.
With Stefanie Riedel at the helm, Riedel Bau AG continues to make a positive impact on the construction sector, demonstrating that sustainability, innovation, and corporate social responsibility are not just buzzwords, but integral components of successful business practices.
- Stefanie Riedel, as the Chairwoman of Riedel Bau AG, has established a company-wide women's network, promoting social sustainability and serving as a successful model for other entrepreneurs in the health-and-wellness sector.
- In addition to her achievements in the construction industry, Stefanie Riedel's Gert-Riedel-Stiftung supports charitable, social, and ecological projects, showcasing her commitment to the well-being and betterment of society.
- Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger, recognized the significant role of female entrepreneurship in driving economic growth and innovation, particularly in sectors such as finance, business, and women's health.
