Rainer Deinert (centre) was honored by LAUDA President & CEO Dr. Gunther Wobser (3rd from right) and Dr. Mario Englert (CFO, left) and Dr. Marc Stricker (COO, right) for 45 years of service. © LAUDA
Electrical engineering expert plays a decisive role in shaping the company’s history
On September 30, 2024, LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG celebrated Rainer Deinert's remarkable 45th anniversary with the company. During the ceremony, the long-time employee was honored for his extraordinary commitment and loyalty to the family-owned company.
Rainer Deinert began his career at LAUDA on September 3, 1979 with an apprenticeship as an energy device electronics technician. In the decades that followed, he worked in various positions at LAUDA and continually improved his qualifications. From setting up the repair shop, to managing the service shop, to managing the electrical assembly with a total of 35 employees, Deinert has played a decisive role in the technical development of the company.
In his laudatory speech, Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA, acknowledged the special achievements of the jubilee: “Rainer Deinert was one of 100 applicants for only eight training positions at LAUDA at that time. His development from apprentice to manager is impressive. With his hard work, commitment and technical expertise, he has helped shape LAUDA for decades and contributed to the company's success.”
Christoph Baumann, Head of Global Production, added: “Rainer Deinert was the technical rock in the surf. He actively supported product development beyond his duties and was always a competent contact person for superiors, colleagues and trainees.”
In addition to his full-time job, Deinert has held various honorary positions at LAUDA. Since March 2007, he has been a member of the board of examiners for the professions of electronics technician for devices and systems and mechatronics technician, and since February 2007 he has also been a trainer for electronics technicians for devices and systems. In April 2010, he was appointed fire safety officer and also acted as a company first aider. In addition, he supported the development of the LAUDA site in China in 2013.
In his acceptance speech, Rainer Deinert emphasized his deep connection to the world market leader in temperature control: “It was a calling for me to work here. I am proud that I was able to contribute to the success of the company and that during my time here I was able to accompany a total of 36 young people through their training, 19 of whom are still working for the company today. It has been a great honor and pleasure for me to work at LAUDA.”
In recognition of his many years of service, Rainer Deinert received the LAUDA certificate of honor and a certificate from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. On the same day, a new phase of life began for the jubilee employee with his entry into passive semi-retirement.
Anniversary celebration at LAUDA: Dr. Marc Stricker (center), COO of LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG, was honored for his ten years of service. His fellow managing directors, CFO Dr. Mario Englert (left) and President & CEO Dr. Gunther Wobser (right), congratulated him at a ceremony. © LAUDA
Managing Director has been shaping the development of the global market leader for a decade
At a ceremony, LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. honored Dr. Marc Stricker's ten years of service and the managing director's associated significant contribution to the company's success.
In his speech to the executives present, Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA, looked back on Dr. Stricker's impressive career: “Marc not only brings many years of experience from well-known heating technology companies, but also an outstanding academic career. His combination of technical expertise and business know-how makes him an indispensable pillar of our company.” In addition, Dr. Wobser emphasized that Dr. Stricker is characterized by perseverance, discipline and the will to get to the bottom of things. Many construction projects and R&D projects in recent years bear Dr. Stricker's unmistakable signature. Within the three-person management team, which also includes Dr. Mario Englert, the engineer is responsible for research & development, production, logistics, quality and environmental management, as well as for the three foreign production sites in Spain, China and the US.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Stricker emphasized the importance of being open to new ideas and his appreciation of medium-sized companies. He deliberately chose LAUDA because he can make the best possible use of his skills and enjoys his work. He emphasized with great appreciation: “I appreciate the support of my colleagues and the opportunity to work in a family business.” In conclusion, Dr. Stricker praised the current management team of the global market leader and said he was confident and well positioned for future challenges.
Dr. Wobser stated: “Marc embodies the perfect combination of technical expertise and entrepreneurial tact that LAUDA needs. His keen sense of the dynamics of family businesses is invaluable. We thank him for ten years of passion, commitment and extraordinary dedication, which have contributed significantly to the success of LAUDA.” As a token of his appreciation, Dr. Wobser presented his fellow Managing Director with the LAUDA certificate of honor, a certificate from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and a gift.
With Dr. Stricker's anniversary, LAUDA once again underlines its position as a future-oriented family-owned company that focuses on long-term cooperation and continuous innovation. With its experienced management team, the world market leader for precise temperature control is well equipped to continue setting standards in the industry in the future.
Dr. Gunther Wobser (left), President & CEO of LAUDA, with hobby beekeepers Manuel Faulhaber (middle) and Stephen Bauer (right) inspecting the beehives. © LAUDA
LAUDA expands its ecological commitment
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG established two bee colonies on the company premises last year. The first honey production was completed this summer. During an on-site visit, Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of the world market leader for precise temperature control, and the company's two hobby beekeepers were impressed by the beehives and the quality and taste of the first honey harvested.
“With the bee colonies, we want to make a contribution to local biodiversity and at the same time raise awareness of the importance of bees,” explains Dr. Wobser of the project. “It is a concrete step in our efforts to assume social responsibility.”
The two bee colonies, tended by LAUDA employees Stephen Bauer and Manuel Faulhaber, produced a total of 20 kilograms of honey in their first season. The mixture of rapeseed and late harvest is offered for sale to the company's employees. The proceeds will be used to cover costs and to purchase another colony in 2025.
Hobby beekeeper Stephen Bauer sees remarkable parallels between temperature regulation in the beehive and LAUDA's core business: “Bees keep the temperature in their hive constant between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius. They achieve this through behaviors such as fanning their wings to cool down or muscle tremors to generate heat. This natural precision is impressive, even if it is fundamentally different from our technical solutions.”
Stephen Bauer gave an overview of the challenges to date. In particular, the phenomenon of premature crystallization of honey in the combs has been a major difficulty in the harvesting process. The natural population dynamics of the bee colonies, especially the process of swarming, was also a new and instructive experience.
LAUDA plans to further expand the bee project in the coming years and establish it as an integral part of the company's commitment to the environment and sustainability. If the harvest is successful, the honey will be used as a delicious gift for LAUDA guests.
Aerial view of the new parking lot: The impressive photovoltaic system covers more than half of the 180 parking spaces and impressively demonstrates the commitment of LAUDA to sustainable energy generation. © Simone Schmid
Completion of new parking lot with photovoltaic system
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG has taken an important step towards sustainability. The global market leader for precise temperature control has doubled the number of its parking spaces on the company premises to 180 and covered over half of them with a modern photovoltaic system. This measure underlines the family company's commitment to climate neutrality and sustainable energy generation.
Dr. Marc Stricker, Managing Director of LAUDA, who played a key role in planning and supporting the project, explains the background: »For us, sustainability is an attitude. By expanding our parking spaces and installing the photovoltaic system, we are pursuing several goals at once: We are improving the parking situation for our employees, using the space to generate energy and taking a big step closer to our goal of climate neutrality by 2030.«
With the new system, LAUDA can generate over 30 percent of its annual electricity needs itself. The company covers the remaining needs with green electricity from regional sources. »We are guided by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and have already fulfilled the so-called Scope 1 and 2. By 2030, we also want to reach Scope 3, which includes the entire supply chain, transport, product use and disposal,« explains Dr. Stricker.
The company estimates that the investment of 1.2 million euros in expanding the parking spaces with roofing and a photovoltaic system will pay for itself in eight to ten years. The roofing not only serves to generate electricity, but also offers staff vehicles protection from the weather.
LAUDA is going one step further in its commitment to sustainability: The company is converting its fleet entirely to electric vehicles and has expanded the publicly accessible charging infrastructure. Ten of the 20 charging points are available to the public. LAUDA also offers a car sharing model for company cars and promotes environmentally friendly mobility for employees through job bike leasing. To make cycling even more attractive, the family business has set up numerous bicycle parking spaces for employees as well as free charging options for e-bikes. These are located both on the company premises and – publicly accessible – under the new car park and are already well received and widely used.
»Although we have our own bus stop and encourage the purchase of bicycles, many employees drive to work. Investing in solar not only provides shade for bicycles and cars, but also generates electricity exactly when we need it during the day,« adds Dr. Gunther Wobser, LAUDA President & CEO.
Dr. Stricker concludes: »We are convinced that change does not come about through one big lever, but through the sum of important contributions.«
With this pioneering project, LAUDA is underlining its pioneering role in sustainability and is sending a clear signal for innovative climate protection in industry.
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Special employee award at LAUDA – Rudolf Gräff (centre) was honored for half a century of service with the company.
Rudolf Gräff honored for 50 years of service
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG recently celebrated an event that is rare in the modern working world: Rudolf Gräff's 50th anniversary with the company. At a ceremony attended by 35 guests, President & CEO Dr. Gunther Wobser acknowledged the anniversary celebrant's decades of commitment and loyalty to the family business.
Rudolf Gräff began his long, impressive career at LAUDA on August 26, 1974 with an apprenticeship as a power electronics technician. After successfully completing his training, he was hired into the electronics department, where he still works today. Over the course of his 50 years with the company, Gräff has distinguished himself through his versatile commitment, e.g. in plant engineering, and his meticulous working methods.
In his laudation, Dr. Gunther Wobser acknowledged the anniversary celebrant's special achievements: »With his reliability and adaptability, Rudolf Gräff stands for important values that have made LAUDA a global market leader. His willingness to face new challenges and technical developments and always deliver outstanding quality is remarkable.«
In recognition of his many years of service, Rudolf Gräff received the LAUDA certificate of honor and, as a special honor, the Dr.-Rudolf-Wobser-Medal in gold – an award from the family company that has only been given to 20 people to date. The honor was complemented by representatives from politics and business: The deputy general manager of the Heilbronn-Franken Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Christof Geiger, presented the Chamber of Industry and Commerce certificate of honor and recognized the services of LAUDA and Gräff to the local economy. Dr. Lukas Braun, Mayor of Lauda-Königshofen, conveyed the city's congratulations and awarded the state's certificate of honor on behalf of the Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg.
In his acceptance speech, Rudolf Gräff emphasized his deep connection with the company and expressed his pride in being part of the LAUDA success story. Gräff's career at LAUDA is also a reflection of the company's history: He personally experienced all three generations of managing directors of the Wobser family and began his career in the era of the company's founder, Dr. Rudolf Wobser.
Rudolf Gräff's extraordinary anniversary underlines the role of LAUDA as a responsible family business. It impressively shows how valuable many years of experience and loyal employees are for sustainable success in a constantly changing working world.
