Heinz Gries has been awarded this year’s “Golden Sugar Loaf”, the most significant  accolade in the German food industry. Gries was the managing director of Griesson - de Beukelaer GmbH & Co. KG (GdB) for 41 years. In January 2009, he became the chairman of the advisory board and is the company‘s chief representative. The sweet and savoury biscuits producer from Polch in der Eifel, which is rich in tradition, owns brands such as DeBeukelaer, Griesson, Prinzen, LEICHT&CROSS, Tekrum, Café Musica, TUC, Mikado, Wurzener, and, under license, Mövenpick. 
 
The award from Lebensmittel-Zeitung (a leading food magazine published by the Deutscher Fachverlag in Frankfurt) was presented on Friday 6 November 2009 in Berlin for exemplary performance in the food industry. It was first awarded in 1958 and has evolved into the Oscar of the consumer goods industry. “Heinz Gries is a great businessman whom future generations, companies and managers will look back on with gratitude and respect. Technical verve and aptitude have enabled this out and out entrepeneur to create several innovative products,” were the words of praise from Christian Berner, chairman of Lekkerland AG & Co. KG, in recognition of Heinz Gries‘ life-time achievement.