Traktionssysteme Austria adds new award to its collection – GOLD for TSA bees and honey production!

In October, we did not earn an award for a motor or a technological innovation. This time, the winners were the honeybees of Traktionssysteme Austria. Our honey achieved an outstanding result at the prestigious “Goldene Honigwabe” (Golden Honeycomb) competition, taking gold in the Blossom Honey (H1) category with 37.4 out of 38 points – one of the highest scores among roughly 500 submissions from across Austria. That’s reason enough to take a closer look at this extraordinary initiative: How did the project start, who looks after the bees, and what does this recognition mean for TSA in terms of environmental responsibility, company identity, and culture?

Bees on TSA premises – The “SUMM SUMM” Project
For many years, TSA has not only focused on sustainable mobility solutions but also on environmental responsibility right at its company site. In 2018, under the project name “SUMM SUMM”, the company introduced five beehives – initially placed on the rooftop, later relocated to an open area of the site. The initial bee population was estimated at around 5,000 bees, with strong potential for growth. Since then, these industrious pollinators have been hard at work, producing impressive amounts of honey each year – with this year’s harvest reaching around 40 kilograms.

With this project, Traktionssysteme Austria pursues a clear goal: to combine technological innovation with ecological commitment, particularly in light of the alarming decline of wild and honeybee populations in recent years.

A partnership with regional expertise
To ensure professional care, healthy colonies, and top-quality honey, TSA’s beehives are managed by Bio-Imkerei Schmid, an organic beekeeping enterprise based in Kaltenleutgeben. The Schmid family business specializes in sustainable, ecological beekeeping, covering all aspects from colony management and swarm prevention to gentle harvesting and processing. Transparency, organic standards, and respect for the natural rhythm of the bees are central to their philosophy.

“With our bee project and this award, we’re sending a strong message: technology companies can take real environmental responsibility – not only through energy efficiency or CO₂ reduction, but directly on site through active ecological measures,” says Karin Annerl, Head of HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) at TSA. “Our bees help pollinate surrounding plants, support the local ecosystem, and increase biodiversity around our site.”

All TSA employees who would like to learn more about the products of Bio-Imkerei Schmid or take some of this award-winning honey home will have the chance on December 18, 2025. The TSA beekeeper will once again visit the company premises with a sales booth, offering a variety of organic honey products.

The “Goldene Honigwabe” – A Competition of Excellence
The “Goldene Honigwabe” (Golden Honeycomb) is a prestigious competition organized by the Austrian Beekeepers Association and the expo Messe Wieselburg, recognizing outstanding honey and honey-based products in various categories each year. Entries are evaluated using a 38-point scoring system, assessing criteria such as appearance, aroma, texture, harmony, and overall sensory impression (taste). Achieving a gold medal requires a near-perfect score, while the Golden Honeycomb is awarded as a special distinction for the best product in each category. We are proud to add this Golden Honeycomb award to TSA’s growing collection of honors and even prouder of the tiny team members who made it possible!