November 6, 2024, Schwanau, Germany “We are proud to have Martin Herrenknecht in our ranks, a unique doer who drives mobility solutions made in Germany around the world,” said Prof. Knut Ringat, Managing Director of the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) transport association, as well as initiator and jury chairman of the innovation award, in his tribute to the award winner. Prof. Dr. Jan Ninnemann, President of the DVWG and jury member added: “Martin Herrenknecht's vision and entrepreneurial courage have changed the way we think about infrastructure projects. In metropolises such as Shanghai, Paris or London, where countless pipes and cables already cross under the ground, the precision and reliability of Herrenknecht machines open up new possibilities for subways, road tunnels and all other types of underground transportation.”

A tribute to innovation and lifetime achievements

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Rolf Katzenbach from the Technical University of Darmstadt gave the laudatory speech for Dr.-Ing. E.h. Martin Herrenknecht, founder and Chairman of the Board of Management of Herrenknecht AG. In his speech, he traced the path from an engineering firm to a market and technology leader, from the beginnings at Seelisberg in Switzerland, through well-known and lesser-known flagship projects, such as the Gotthard Base Tunnel and the tunnel under the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, to today's tunnelling innovations. “Martin Herrenknecht is a highly motivated and committed fighter who puts all his energy into what he believes in. I bow with great respect for your innovations, for your lovable humanity and for your incredibly great life's work. You are a great role model. We need more Martin Herrenknechts in our country. Congratulations on winning the German Mobility Industry Innovation Award.”

His motto “Whoever has the best infrastructure wins.” guided Dr.-Ing. E.h. Martin Herrenknecht's acceptance speech: “Whoever has the best infrastructure wins.” “It is an honor for me to receive this award, which I also accept on behalf of our employees. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the jury for this special distinction.” In his acceptance speech, however, he also urged: “Our infrastructure, which contributes significantly to our prosperity and competitiveness, is dilapidated. Germany, once a pioneer in this field, is increasingly at risk of falling behind. We now need the courage to start major projects and see them through to completion. For me, this award is therefore not only an honor, but also an incentive to continue to point out the problems. Let us fight together to ensure that Germany invests in the future again and promotes innovation so that we do not continue to remain in the status quo.”

About the German Mobility Industry Innovation Award

In 2024, the German Mobility Industry Innovation Award was be presented for the fourth time to honor groundbreaking innovations as well as outstanding personalities and projects in the mobility industry. In addition to Dr.-Ing. E.h. Martin Herrenknecht, this year's special prize for “Diversity, Tolerance, Respect” was awarded to VdK President Verena Bentele for her commitment to accessibility, and to HSB Managing Director Corinna-Maria Schulte for her courageous contribution to the topic of trans identity in corporate management. The shipping company Scandlines Deutschland GmbH was honored as the winner in the “Product/Project” category for its ferries with innovative plug-in battery operation.