I feel comfortable here!
District Administrator Steve Kanitz congratulates Knufmann GmbH on its certification and receipt of the state seal "Employee-oriented company - I feel at home here"
*Press release 288 dated October 24, 2025 from the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel – Press Office
Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, October 24, 2025: "I feel at home here" is part of the slogan for the state seal "Employee-Oriented Company," and this was certainly noticeable during a visit to Knufmann GmbH in Klötze. Visitors receive a warm welcome. The atmosphere is relaxed, and owner Kirstin Knufmann and her employees interact openly and warmly.
The company already received the state seal of approval from the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health and Equality in 2023. It has now been recertified this year.
“For us, the recertification was an important step to demonstrate that employee orientation is not a one-off award, but an ongoing process. We deliberately wanted to have it reviewed to what extent we have continued, further developed, and adapted our measures from recent years to new circumstances,” said Ms. Knufmann. Especially in times of changing work structures and expectations, it is personally important to her that the company offers reliable structures, appreciation, and development opportunities.
And that it can offer this was also confirmed today in a small, celebratory gathering by Mr. Wisny, regional business advisor for the Altmark region of the state initiative "Skilled Worker in Focus", who presented the coveted certificate "Employee-Oriented Company" to Knufmann GmbH.
District Administrator Steve Kanitz and Mayor Alexander Kleine also took the opportunity to personally congratulate Ms. Knufmann on her award at this event.
“Knufmann GmbH was awarded the state seal for its exemplary strategy, which focuses not only on economic success but, above all, on the satisfaction and development of its employees,” said District Administrator Steve Kanitz. “Because successful business management is more than just numbers and facts. It’s about people and their potential. Knufmann GmbH impressively demonstrates what can be achieved with a healthy, flexible, and respectful work environment. I am proud that we have such a company here in the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel district.”
In the coming years, Knufmann GmbH intends to continue focusing on strengthening work-life balance and flexible working models, specifically promoting knowledge and skills development, including through further training and personal development opportunities, and further aligning the corporate culture with mutual appreciation, personal responsibility and joint growth.
“As a family-friendly company, it is particularly important to us that professional and private requirements can be harmonized. We consciously work with flat hierarchies, open communication channels and plenty of room for participation,” says Ms. Knufmann, who currently employs 14 people.
And the success of this approach is evident not only in the renewed receipt of the state seal, but above all in the highly motivated employees within the company.
Brief introduction of Knufmann GmbH
PureRaw – Knufmann GmbH stands for high-quality, plant-based foods and dietary supplements, focusing on algae as a resource of the future. The company develops innovative products that combine sustainability, quality, and enjoyment. In addition to product development, PureRaw is committed to research, education, and science communication related to healthy nutrition and sustainable value creation.
State seal “Employee-oriented company - I feel at home here”
Since 2018, the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health and Equality, in cooperation with the "State Initiative Skilled Workers in Focus," has been awarding the state seal "The Employee-Oriented Company – Here I Feel at Home." This initiative aims to give special recognition and recognition to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that cultivate an appreciative and employee-oriented corporate culture or demonstrate above-average commitment to such a culture.
To apply for the state seal, a company must have successfully participated in the Wertenetz© employee survey. This is an anonymous online survey that compares the values of the company and its employees.
