On January 31, 2024, Rhineland-Palatinate Minister of Economic Affairs Daniela Schmitt presented the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to Bernhard Bauer from Schönenberg-Kübelberg, founder and long-standing Managing Director of MiniTec. The Minister honored his outstanding social commitment and work for the common good.

Bernhard Bauer founded MiniTec in 1986 at its current location in Schönenberg-Kübelberg in the Western Palatinate and has continuously developed the company into one of today's leading and internationally active technology and mechanical engineering companies. For the entrepreneur, the focus was never just on the company's success, but also always on people and social interaction. Bauer founded various social and cultural initiatives and foundations to support children and young people as well as the integration of refugees, low-skilled workers and people with disabilities into the labor market. 

His commitment extends far beyond the region; for example, he has taken on sponsorships for schools in Nairobi. Together with his wife Sonja, he set up the Sonja and Bernhard Bauer Foundation years ago. Bauer has already received many awards for his work: honorary citizenship of his home town of Schönenberg-Kübelberg and the West Palatinate Award from the Zukunftsregion Westpfalz association for his life's work.