Keeping it in the Family Leads to Global Success for MKN

Premium kitchen equipment manufacturer MKN (Maschinenfabrik Kurt Neubauer GmbH & Co. KG) has been ranked as one of the Top 5 family-owned companies in Germany, in a study by Süddeutsche Zeitung a leading national German newspaper, and Creditreform, a major provider of business and credit information

A global player with 600 employees, MKN is based in Wolfenbüttel, Lower Saxony, and supplies high-quality, innovative, and multifunctional professional cooking technology serving chefs across hospitality, institutional catering, and the maritime sector.

The independent analysis evaluated over 5,000 of Germany’s highest-revenue family businesses, measuring performance across key financial indicators including return on equity, liquidity, creditworthiness, and revenue growth. MKN stood out for its sustainable growth, innovation, resilience and long-term economic performance.

“We are extremely proud of this recognition. It confirms that our strategic path is the right one,” said Georg Weber, CEO of MKN. “As a family-owned company, we combine long-term thinking with the courage to innovate. We invest in our location, our facilities, in people, and in strong, lasting partnerships. We don’t just think in quarters, we think in generations.”

With over 75 years of experience, MKN has become a global leader in professional cooking equipment, known for its technological innovation, ease of use, and exceptional performance.  A recent standout innovation is the introduction of MKN SteelPlus — a landmark sustainability initiative that integrates CO₂-reduced stainless steel throughout the entire supply chain, reinforcing MKN‘s commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing.

This top ranking reaffirms the company’s values of reliability, innovation, and excellence.

“When passion, accountability and purpose come together, long-term success follows. Not just for our 600 employees, but for our partners, and customers in over 100 markets. We are proud of our culture, vision and reputation.” Weber added.

MKN’s commitment to innovation has also recently been recognised with the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2025 for the new OPTIMA line – a flagship product known for its sleek design, advanced functionality, and customisability. This internationally renowned award highlights MKN’s continued focus on user-centred design and technological excellence.

The UK market has enjoyed the launch of the new OPTIMA line in 2025, and MKN continues to strengthen its presence through collaborations with some of the country’s most respected culinary names and institutions. Not only is MKN equipment trusted by many Michelin-starred chefs, it supports large-scale operations, from corporate catering to fine dining, leisure and public sector- demonstrating the versatility of MKN’s kitchen solutions.     www.mkn.com