On 18 July 2025, the Odelzhausen site of the Noerpel Group, headquartered in Ulm, was honoured with the “Partnerstein 2025” award. Presented by the Dachau district associations of the Mittelstandsunion (MU), Frauenunion (FU) and Arbeitnehmerunion (CSA) for the 18th time, the award recognises companies that demonstrate outstanding commitment to their employees, promote a healthy work-life balance, and foster an employee-focused corporate culture.
The award ceremony took place at Noerpel’s facility on Oskar-von-Miller-Strasse in Odelzhausen. After guided tours of the modern freight forwarding and logistics facility, the chairpersons of the three district associations officially opened the evening. District Administrator Stefan Löwl welcomed the guests, and in his keynote address, Walter Nussel, Member of the Bavarian State Parliament and the Bavarian State Government’s Commissioner for Bureaucracy Reduction, highlighted the importance of employee-centred corporate cultures.
Tailored opportunities for employees
The Odelzhausen site was recognised by the jury for its broad range of initiatives designed to support and empower employees. 'We offer highly flexible working time models tailored to individual needs,' explained Ludwig Müllerlei, Head of the Freight Forwarding Branch. 'In addition, we invest in our people through initiatives such as examination preparation courses for apprentices, shuttle bus services for employees, and regular health days organised in cooperation with health insurance providers.'
The site also stands out for its comparatively high proportion of female employees within the logistics sector. 'Across all departments, 28 per cent of our workforce is female, which sends a strong signal for greater equal opportunities within our industry,' added Katja Langenmayer, the site's HR manager. 'We actively support our employees and always take the time to listen to their concerns and ideas.'
Beyond its internal initiatives, Noerpel Odelzhausen is actively involved in the local community. The company serves as host of the IHK regional committee and offers internships for local schools. It also participates in the Day of Logistics and organises facility tours in cooperation with the local adult education centre.
People at the heart of the business
'Despite the constant pressure of deadlines, Noerpel Odelzhausen clearly puts its employees at the heart of everything it does,' said the organisers of the Partnerstein award. 'Flexible working-time arrangements, a genuine commitment to employee wellbeing, and trust in personal responsibility set benchmarks for a modern and sustainable working environment.'
Stefan Noerpel-Schneider, Chief Executive Officer of the Noerpel Group, also attended the ceremony. 'We warmly congratulate our Odelzhausen colleagues on receiving this honour, and we are proud of the exceptional commitment demonstrated by the entire team,' he said in his closing remarks.