Hellmut Wempe was presented with his award on 18 October 2005. At the ceremony, Dr. Jörn Kreke, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Douglas Holding, stated: “Your entrepreneurial visions have become reality, and you have achieved something very rare – turning the Wempe company into an international brand. Thanks to your accomplishments, the purchase of a watch or a piece of jewellery at Wempe is a special experience for your customers, and it makes them feel good.” On receiving the award, Wempe said he was both surprised and proud. “This prize puts us in the category of major companies,” he stated, “and it will spur us on to even greater achievements in the future.”