Tech Group Named Company of the Year 2025
At tonight’s “Estonia’s Best Enterprises 2025” awards gala, the country’s most outstanding companies were recognized. The Company of the Year title was awarded to Tech Group, an engineering and manufacturing company that develops and produces complex and high-value production lines sold directly to Europe’s automotive, semiconductor, and photonics industries.
“We’re a company that creates smart machines, and our field is as exciting as a candy store for engineers,” said Martin Sutrop, CEO of Tech Group, at the gala. “What drives us forward is a mindset of getting things done—and our clients appreciate that. I’m deeply grateful to everyone in our company and to our network of partners. I encourage everyone to think big and keep finding ways to make things happen, not excuses why they can’t be done.”
According to Ursel Velve, Chair of the Board of the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, Tech Group represents smart manufacturing characterized by digitalization, automation, and a high level of engineering excellence. “Tech Group’s success shows that Estonia can increasingly offer the world not just subcontracting services, but original engineering thinking and solutions. These kinds of companies are the future of our economy and an inspiration to the next generation of engineers.”
Hando Sutter, CEO of the Estonian Employers' Confederation, emphasized that the Company of the Year is an extremely innovative industry player with strong growth potential. “Their success in competitive international markets proves that systematic investment in innovation pays off. Tech Group sets an example for all industries aiming for higher value-added production. Increasing value-added is the key to the success of Estonia’s economy.”
“It’s a great pleasure to see Estonian companies offering world-class engineering solutions—born from innovation, digitalization, and automation—and driving us ever faster toward a higher value-added economy,” said Mait Palts, Director General of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Highlighting competitive and ambitious companies helps foster an entrepreneurial culture that draws more people into business and ensures long-term economic development.”
Tech Group, located just outside Tallinn, employs over 100 people and designs and manufactures custom machinery and robotic solutions for manufacturing companies. These systems can produce complex components, from microchips to medical devices. The engineering and production teams provide comprehensive solutions—from prototyping and industrial design to mass production. Nearly all output is exported, mainly to Germany, as well as Finland and Switzerland. The jury also noted Tech Group’s broader contribution to Estonian society, including its efforts to promote engineering among young people and showcase the attractiveness of industry.
The Company of the Year was selected from among the winners of two competitions: “Enterprise Award” by the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency and the Estonian Employers’ Confederation, and the “Competitiveness Ranking” by the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The candidates were:
- Exporter of the Year: Tech Group
- Industry Digitalizer of the Year: Tiksoja Puidugrupp
- Innovator of the Year: Pactum AI
- Sustainable Company of the Year: Akzo Nobel Baltics
- Tourism Promoter of the Year: Elamus Spa
- Family Business of the Year: Pro Optika
- Foreign Investor of the Year: Foxway
- Most Competitive Industrial Company: LTH-Baas
- Most Competitive Retail Company: Tavid
- Most Competitive Service Company: Kapitel
Young Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Rait Rebane, owner of K-Print, one of Estonia’s leading export-focused printing companies.
Estonia’s Most Competitive Companies by Sector (2025):
- Construction: Nobe
- Food Industry: Scanola Baltic
- Hospitality: Pizzakiosk
- Telecom, Communication & IT: Telia Eesti
- Engineering, Architecture & Design: Raab
- Real Estate: Kapitel
- Financial Services: LHV Pank
- Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries: Tornator Eesti
- Transport & Logistics: Jetflite
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications recognized KOBAR Innovation Centre (established by the Pärnumaa Development Centre) for promoting entrepreneurship and linking it with science and civic initiatives, as well as the code/Jõhvi programming school by the NGO Future Technology Education.
The Company of the Year was chosen by a distinguished jury including:
- Ahti Kuningas, Secretary General of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
- Ursel Velve, Chair of the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency
- Hando Sutter, CEO of the Estonian Employers’ Confederation
- Kai Realo, Ragn-Sells Eesti CEO and member of the Employers’ Council
- Mait Palts, Director General of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Alvar Sass, 2024 winner and representative of Harju Elekter
- Madis Müller, President of the Bank of Estonia
- Ardo Hansson, Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister
The awards and “Enterprise Award” competition are co-organized by the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency, the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Estonian Employers’ Confederation, and co-funded by the European Union.
Photo gallery (by Rene Riisalu): https://photos.app.goo.gl/auSDvJduR1JbtbGk9