Occupying lucrative niches and being faster than the competition - this strategy has earned ebm-papst Mulfingen the 'Top 100' seal of quality this year. Over the past three years, the fan and motor manufacturer has generated around 30% of its turnover with its market innovations. The 'Top 100' jury recognizes that the top management is highly committed to new developments. In the past two years alone, the company has registered 250 national and 550 international patents. Products such as the space and energy-saving 'RadiPac' centrifugal fan (see image) are the key to the company's innovative success. The focus is also on fans made from biocomposites, 50% of which are made from wood. The company's goal is to manufacture 15% of its products from ecological materials by 2015.