Cologne, July 2026
Entry in the Golden Book of the City of Cologne
In July 2026, after 200 years of being based in Cologne, the Klosterfrau Group was honoured to have its name entered in the city’s Golden Book. Together with two other Cologne-based companies, Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbH (KD) and Sparkasse KölnBonn, which are also celebrating their 200th anniversaries in 2026, we were welcomed by Lord Mayor Torsten Burmester on the Piazzetta of the Historic Town Hall.
Pictured (from left to right): Sascha Linden (Managing Director, KD), Nina Luig (Managing Director, KD), Ulrich Voigt (Chairman of the Board of Sparkasse KölnBonn), Torsten Burmester (Lord Mayor of the City of Cologne), Dr Stefan Koch (CEO, Klosterfrau Group). © Joachim Badura
A special honour from the City of Cologne
An Entry into the Golden Book is one of the City of Cologne’s highest honours. With this, the city honours companies for their long-standing presence, their enduring commitment and their business continuity. At the same time, it recognises their important contribution to Cologne’s economic strength, diversity and future viability.
The picture shows: Torsten Burmester (Lord Mayor of the City of Cologne) and Dr. Stefan Koch (CEO, Klosterfrau Group) during the signing of the City of Cologne’s Golden Book
“The Klosterfrau Group, Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt and Sparkasse KölnBonn can each look back on 200 years of success. As different as these companies may be, they share the common trait of having navigated their way through every era and every crisis. They have recognised opportunities, never rested on their achievementss, but have continually transformed and adapted. My congratulations on this!” says Torsten Burmester, Lord Mayor of the City of Cologne.
A bond with the city of Cologne
For two centuries, the Klosterfrau Group, KD and Sparkasse KölnBonn have shaped life in Cologne in various ways – economically, socially and as reliable partners to the people of the region. The representatives of the companies were therefore delighted to receive this special honour.
“The fact that Klosterfrau, Sparkasse KölnBonn and KD are celebrating this anniversary together shows that, even though our companies fulfil very different roles, we are united by something essential: our love for the city of Cologne,” says Klosterfrau Group CEO, Dr Stefan Koch.
The picture shows Dr. Stefan Koch (CEO, Klosterfrau Group) at the lectern
Klosterfrau Award
With the Klosterfrau Award, which exists since 2001, the Klosterfrau Group underlines its commitment to excellence in research. At the same time, the award recognises and motivates the next generation of dedicated scientists who are committed to improving the quality of life of children with respiratory diseases.