As the first toy company ever, goki is being honored with the "German Sustainability Award 2024".This coveted award is presented in collaboration with the Federal Government, the Council for Sustainable Development, and other high-ranking representatives from business, municipalities, and research institutions. The jury particularly acknowledges the company's long-standing commitment to reforestation and its social engagement. The ceremonial award ceremony will took place on November 23 in Düsseldorf, with the participation of Federal Environment Minister Steffie Lemke, Defense Minister Bernd Pistorius and Christiane Amanpour, Chief InternationalAnchor for CNN, among others.

Gollnest & Kiesel GmbH & Co. KG, known under the brand name goki, is one of Europe’s largest toy companies and one of the most renowned wooden toy manufacturers in Germany. In 2004, the wooden toy company Gollnest & Kiesel planted trees for the first time. For nearly 19 years, it has supported the state government of Schleswig-Holstein in its goal to increase the forest area to 12%. Under the motto "One tree for every newborn in Schleswig-Holstein", goki has contributed to making the least forested federal state a bit greener. Nearly 450,000 trees have been planted to date. Sustainability also plays a significant role in Gollnest & Kiesel's production. The company operates carbon-neutrally across Europe and generates more electricity through its photovoltaic systems
than it consumes.

The independent expert jury of the German Sustainability Award recognizes this commitment by awarding the most prestigious award of its kind in Europe. goki is honored as a pioneer in transforming the "Toys and Leisure Articles" industry with the 16th German Sustainability Award.

Thomas Bellizzi, President of goki America, expressed his delight, stating, "This award is an acknowledgment of what defines us. Our corporate philosophy, our essence, is encapsulated in the motto 'Everything we do, we do it for the children.' This not only encompasses the meticulous production of toys that promote development but also securing a livable future. Even though this might be only a small contribution, we aim to give back more to nature than we take and also enable a future for children in schools in the developing world through our commitment."

The founders and shareholders of the company, Gerhard Gollnest and Fritz-Rüdiger Kiesel, set the foundation for sustainable production over 40 years ago by choosing wood as the renewable raw material for toys. As the company donates an average of 20,000 trees per year, it generates multiples of what it will ever need for production. Every year, these young plants grow into trees, storing CO2 and providing habitats for numerous animals.

Moreover, Gollnest & Kiesel is involved in building schools in the Third World. Education is the path out of poverty and child labor. In collaboration with the children's aid organizations "terre des hommes" and "Children in Africa", tenschools have been established. Currently, goki supports Arise e.V. in constructing the eleventh school in Ghana.