MARTOR is among Germany’s most innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in 2026. The company was recognized in the latest *stern* ranking of “Germany’s Most Innovative SMEs.” The study was conducted by the German Society for Consumer Studies (DtGV) on behalf of *stern* and identifies the 500 most innovative SMEs in Germany.
AWARD FOR INNOVATION
For MARTOR, this award is a special recognition of its innovative strength. For decades, the Solingen-based family-owned company has been developing safety knives and cutting solutions for professional users, and its innovations have consistently filled gaps in the market. The focus is on products that make work safer, more efficient, and more ergonomic—in industry, logistics, retail, and many other sectors.
AMONG THE TOP 3 TOOL MANUFACTURERS
The Solingen-based company is particularly proud to be ranked among the top three tool manufacturers. The benchmark was the patent performance of all companies operating in Germany with annual revenue of less than 1 billion euros. Overall, MARTOR ranks 237th based on its score across all industries. This, too, is remarkable—especially when you consider that there are approximately 3.5 million companies in Germany in this size range, of which an estimated 30,000 are active, regular patent applicants.
EXAMPLE: SECUMAX 370
MARTOR’s guiding principle is: How do we solve specific real-world problems? How can people cut more safely? How can goods be better protected? And how can work processes be made both simpler and more efficient?
A recent example is the new SECUMAX 370 safety knife, which was introduced in November 2025. It is the first GS-certified safety knife with a concealed blade and a cutting depth of up to 10 mm. This allows for controlled cuts in thicker materials without compromising the high level of user and product safety for which MARTOR is known.
THINKING AHEAD IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY
Sustainability is also playing an increasingly important role in MARTOR’s innovations. For example, the company is increasingly turning to cutting tools made from recycled plastic, which have a CO2 footprint that is reduced by up to 80%.
CONFIRMATION AND MOTIVATION
For MARTOR, the *stern* award is both a validation and an incentive: to question the status quo, further develop (cutting) solutions, and create unique improvements for customers. This ongoing process is clearly in the best hands with MARTOR’s innovators. Everyone in Solingen is confident that they will continue to set new standards in the future.
