BENTELER receives Volkswagen Group Award for successful transformation

Paderborn, June 26, 2026. This week, BENTELER was recognized by the Volkswagen Group as one of its top partners, receiving the Volkswagen Group Award 2026. Each year, the automotive manufacturer presents the award to companies that make an outstanding contribution to shared success through exceptional performance, innovation, and close collaboration.

BENTELER received the award in recognition of its successful transformation through strategic focus, rapid execution, and the effective combination of new technologies with existing strengths, actively driving industrial transformation. Particular recognition was given to the development of a battery cooling plate. In its citation, the Volkswagen Group also highlighted BENTELER's speed of execution, strong systems expertise, and innovative manufacturing approaches, which enabled the efficient transfer of new technologies into series production.

One of the key factors in the project’s success is rapid industrialization. Within just a few months, production of the new battery cooling plate is set up, and new manufacturing processes, including gas-tight laser welding as a core enabling technology, are successfully implemented

Ralf Göttel, CEO of the BENTELER Group, said: “The Volkswagen Group Award is a strong endorsement of BENTELER's capabilities. It reinforces our commitment to working with customers to bring innovations into industrial production quickly, reliably, and with the highest quality. My sincere thanks go to all our colleagues whose dedication, expertise, and teamwork made this achievement possible.”

Matthias Siemer, President BENTELER Automotive Components Europe & MENA, added: “This project is an excellent example of what sets our teams apart. We bring demanding new technologies into industrial series production in a very short time. The combination of deep expertise in thermal management, innovative manufacturing processes, and a trusting partnership with our customer was key to this success. We are extremely proud that the Volkswagen Group has recognized this achievement with the Group Award, and it motivates us to continue on the path we have chosen.”

The Volkswagen Group Award is presented annually to selected strategic partners that demonstrate outstanding performance in innovation, industrialization, quality, collaboration, and operational excellence. With this award, the Volkswagen Group underscores the importance of close, trusted collaboration throughout the value chain and recognizes partners that make a significant contribution to the transformation of the automotive industry.