
Seven decades of innovation and precision: LAUDA will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2026 and can look back on an extraordinary success story from pioneer to global market leader. © LAUDA
From Pioneer to Global Market Leader: Temperature Control Specialist Has Been Writing Extraordinary Success Story
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG celebrates its 70th anniversary on March 1. The global market leader generates around 100 million euros in annual sales with approximately 570 employees across three locations in Germany and twelve foreign subsidiaries. Renowned customers all over the world rely on the precision of LAUDA – from chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and biotech to medical technology, the semiconductor industry, electromobility, and hydrogen technology.
Exactly seven decades ago, Dr. Rudolf Wobser founded the measuring instrument factory LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER KG in Lauda. With innovations such as novel laboratory thermostats in a modular system and refrigeration thermostats with mechanical cooling, the company established itself on the market in its early years. Wobser laid the foundation for success in 1949 with the development and series production of the world’s first thermostat. For the first time, a compact device could reliably heat and cool using liquid circuits. After fleeing the GDR in 1955, he systematically built up the business. Groundbreaking new developments such as industrial systems (1964), measuring instruments (1967), and the world’s first microprocessor thermostat (1982) shaped the company’s further development.
After the death of the company founder in 1977, his sons Dr. Gerhard Wobser and Karlheinz Wobser took over the management. Karlheinz Wobser retired at the end of 2002. Dr. Gunther Wobser was appointed as the new President & CEO and, together with his father Dr. Gerhard Wobser, remained at the helm of the company until 2010, when his father retired after 39 years.
Under the leadership of Dr. Gunther Wobser, the third generation of the family, the company’s international business activities were significantly expanded. In 2005, LAUDA France is founded as the first foreign subsidiary, followed three years later by branches in Latin America, China, and the USA. With acquisitions in Spain (2011) and the USA (2014) as well as further foreign subsidiaries in Great Britain (2012) and Italy (2014), the world market leader continuously expands its international presence. In 2015, the new subsidiary LAUDA Scientific took over the development, sales, and service activities for LAUDA measuring instruments. In 2016, the subsidiaries LAUDA Ibérica Soluciones Técnicas, S.L.U. in Spain and LAUDA América Latina Tecnologia Ltda. in São Paulo, Brazil, were founded. LAUDA expanded its portfolio in 2019 with the acquisition of the long-established company GFL Gesellschaft für Labortechnik mbH. LAUDA Medical GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 2021, followed in 2025 by the subsidiary Degree LAUDA Precision Pvt. Ltd. in Pune, India.
Parallel to its international expansion, LAUDA continuously invests in the expansion of its infrastructure at its headquarters. In 2013, a new logistics center and a new production hall with a total investment volume of around 6.2 million euros are inaugurated in Lauda-Königshofen. In 2014, LAUDA expanded its management team with Dr. Marc Stricker, followed by Dr. Mario Englert in 2017. In 2022, the company underwent another office expansion, investing approximately 1.1 million euros.
The technical range of services extends from compact laboratory thermostats to customer-specific large-scale systems with a cooling capacity of over 400 kilowatts. LAUDA devices and systems operate in a temperature range from -150 to 550 °C with a consistency of up to one thousandth of a degree Celsius – a level of precision that is indispensable in highly demanding applications.
Since 2015, LAUDA has consistently held the title of “world market leader” in the field of constant temperature equipment and systems for precise temperature control. The latest product developments underscore this position: In 2024, LAUDA launched Mobifreeze, the world’s first actively temperature-controlled, mobile ultra low temperature chest freezer. This was followed in 2025 by the market launch of LAUDA Universa – a modular product line with standard Wi-Fi control. In addition, LAUDA received the EcoVadis Silver Medal for sustainability achievements in 2025, as well as the “Best of AI Award” for its own AI platform LAUDA.GPT. The temperature control specialist is planning sales growth of around 15 percent to approximately 115 million euros for 2026.
“Our 70th anniversary fills us all with extraordinary pride,” explains Dr. Gunther Wobser. “Together we improve the world with precise temperatures – this aspiration drives everything we do. In this anniversary year, we want to be even closer to our customers and devote even more attention to them worldwide. Continuous innovation, excellent processes, and further growth will secure our position as the global market leader in the coming decades.”
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG is already inviting all interested parties and citizens to an open house on Sunday, September 13, 2026, in Lauda-Königshofen. Details will be announced in good time in the daily press and on the social media channels of LAUDA.

"The Secrets of German Family Businesses" presents 50 German family businesses and highlights their strategies for success for an international audience. The 304-page anthology is available in bookstores under ISBN 978-3-7913-9190-8. © Prestel Verlag

Dr. Gunther Wobser (2nd from left), President & CEO of LAUDA, with publishers Tobias Rappers, managing director of Maschinenraum GmbH, Uwe Rittmann, head of family businesses and SMEs at PwC Germany, and Olaf Salié, publisher of the "ABOUT Germany" series, at the book premiere on November 28, 2025, in Berlin. © Peter J. Kierzkowski
Temperature control specialist LAUDA selected for "The Secrets of German Family Businesses"
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG is featured in a four-page portrait in the newly published book “The Secrets of German Family Businesses.” Recently published in Germany, the book highlights 50 German family businesses and their strategies for success. The volume, written in English, is published by the renowned Prestel Verlag, part of the Penguin Random House publishing group, and is aimed specifically at an international audience.
Edited by Uwe Rittmann, Head of Family Businesses and SMEs at PwC Germany, Tobias Rappers, Managing Director of Maschinenraum GmbH, and Olaf Salié, publisher of the “ABOUT Germany” series, the 300-page anthology presents the DNA of German family businesses. The focus is on values such as tradition, innovation, resilience, and long-term entrepreneurial thinking. In well-researched essays and personal portraits, leading experts from academia and practice show why German family businesses stand for reliability, quality, and technical excellence worldwide.
LAUDA was nominated for the book as the global market leader for temperature control devices and systems for precise temperature generation. As a hidden champion, the third-generation family-owned company embodies the key success factors of German SMEs: technological excellence, global market presence, and the ability to combine tradition with innovation. Membership in “Maschinenraum”, the leading innovation ecosystem for German SMEs, underscores the exceptional innovative strength of LAUDA.
“We are extremely pleased that LAUDA is one of the important companies portrayed in this internationally significant work,” explains Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA. “For a company with twelve international subsidiaries in particular, this presence on the global market is of strategic importance. The book gives German SMEs visibility and highlights the particular strengths of family businesses in times of global challenges.”
Dr. Gunther Wobser was present at the book launch on November 28, 2025, in Berlin, where he took part in a panel discussion. The official sales launch in Germany was on December 17, 2025, the international premiere in the UK was on January 20, 2026, and the planned release in the US is scheduled for March 3, 2026. The international reach of the work supports LAUDA in its global business development: The portrait promotes dialogue with international business partners and creates additional visibility for the company's two US subsidiaries and for the sales company “Degree LAUDA Precision” in Pune, India, which was founded last year. The publication also coincides with the company's 70th anniversary, which LAUDA will celebrate on March 1, 2026.
“The Secrets of German Family Businesses” is part of the “ABOUT Germany” series published by Prestel Verlag and is available in bookstores under ISBN 978-3-7913-9190-8.

The managing directors of LAUDA, Dr. Mario Englert, Dr. Gunther Wobser, and Dr. Marc Stricker (from left to right), are delighted to receive their tenth "Global Market Leader Champion" award and, backed by major orders already secured, are aiming to return to growth by 2026. © LAUDA
Temperature control specialist receives award for the tenth time
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG has been named the global market leader in the field of “constant temperature equipment and systems for precise temperature control” for the tenth time in a row. The renowned “Index of World Market Leaders,” compiled under the direction of Prof. Dr. Christoph Müller from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, forms the basis for the annual awards presented by the leading business magazine “WirtschaftsWoche.”
The anniversary award comes at a time of change: after spectacular growth in 2022 and three years of consolidation due to the challenging macroeconomic situation, LAUDA has been able to expand its global market position with current sales of around 100 million euros and around 600 employees. For 2026, the third-generation family-run company is planning sales growth of around 15 percent to around 115 million euros.
Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA, emphasizes the significance of this tenth award: “The continuous recognition over a decade fills us with extraordinary pride. It confirms the exceptional performance of our employees at three German locations, in five production and ten sales companies. Over the past three years, we have acted prudently, carefully adjusted capacities, and optimized our processes. In doing so, we have defended our technological leadership and laid the foundation for future growth.”
LAUDA focuses on innovation in the areas of energy efficiency, digitalization, and sustainable temperature control solutions. The technologies ensure the optimum temperature in areas such as electromobility, hydrogen technology, and the pharmaceutical industry. The renewed award confirms LAUDA as an innovation driver and sales leader in the industry.
“The award from WirtschaftsWoche is both a confirmation and an obligation,” summarizes Dr. Wobser. “We have consolidated our market position and expanded our global presence. We are devoting even more attention to our customers worldwide. With precise temperatures, we are improving the world together – this vision unites our employees worldwide.”
The year 2026 will be marked by special milestones for LAUDA: as part of its return to growth, the family-owned company will celebrate its 70th anniversary on March 1.

Dr. Gunther Wobser (left to right), President & CEO of LAUDA, personally welcomed Chris Pang to Singapore in the presence of outgoing Managing Director Teck Chia Lee and Stephen Bendefy, Area Sales Manager International. © LAUDA
Focus on expanding market position in Asia
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG announces that Chris Pang will take over as Managing Director of LAUDA Singapore Pte. Ltd. with effect from January 1, 2026. The 43-year-old has been working as General Manager at the company since December 1, 2025, and will succeed Teck Chia Lee, who will be leaving the company on December 31, 2025, to pursue new professional challenges.
Teck Chia Lee has played a key role in shaping the development of LAUDA Singapore as Sales Manager since February 1, 2015, and has intensified cooperation with distributors in the ASEAN region. On July 1, 2020, he was appointed Managing Director. Under his leadership, the sales territories were successively expanded: Taiwan was added in 2019, Korea in 2022, and Australia and New Zealand in 2024. LAUDA thanks him for his commitment and loyalty and wishes him all the best for his future.
Chris Pang has extensive experience in the life sciences and laboratory equipment sectors. From 2017 to 2025, he worked for a leading global supplier of scientific instruments and reagents as Business Manager for Southeast Asia in the life sciences sector. Prior to that, he gained further expertise as Sales Manager at a renowned manufacturer of specialty glass and laboratory technology (2012–2017) and as Product Specialist at an established supplier of laboratory equipment (2007–2010). Born in Malaysia, he completed a bachelor's degree in life sciences with a minor in statistics at the National University of Singapore and earned an MBA from Northumbria University (Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom) via a Singapore-based program in 2018.
Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA, personally welcomed the new Managing Director in Singapore: “With Chris Pang, we are gaining a proven expert for the Southeast Asian market. His many years of experience in the life sciences industry and his deep understanding of regional characteristics will make a decisive contribution to further expanding our position in Singapore and the ASEAN countries. He will lead the subsidiary on a sustainable growth course and intensify our partnerships in the region.”
The subsidiary LAUDA Singapore Pte. Ltd. was founded in 2007 as a holding company for the business activities of LAUDA in Asia. Active sales support began in 2015. At the end of 2023, the branch moved into new business premises in the German Centre in Singapore with an area of over 200 square meters. The location has sales and service teams, a training center, and a modern service workshop. Singapore's strategic location on the equator makes the city-state a trading hub between East and West, between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. From here, LAUDA supports sales activities in the ASEAN countries and cooperation with sales partners in Taiwan and South Korea.
The focus for 2026 is on expanding sales activities, intensifying existing customer relationships, and developing new business areas in the focus industries of semiconductors, server cooling, and automotive testing.

High-ranking guests from business and politics as well as partner companies celebrate the opening of Degree LAUDA Precision in Pune, India – a milestone for the expansion of the global market leader LAUDA into one of the most dynamic future markets worldwide. © LAUDA
Temperature control specialist opens sales company Degree LAUDA Precision in Pune
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG, the global market leader for temperature control devices and systems, has officially opened its new Indian sales company, Degree LAUDA Precision Pvt. Ltd., in Pune. With this strategic expansion, the family-owned company is strengthening its position in the world's most populous country with over 1.4 billion people and tapping into new growth markets in South Asia. The tenth foreign subsidiary of LAUDA is operating as a joint venture with its long-standing partner, Sawant Process Solutions, and is serving customers in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
High-ranking guests from business and politics accepted the invitation to the opening ceremony, which was hosted by Indian actress and TV presenter Anushrii Bathla Oza. Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA, traveled to India together with Felix Heinrich-Bignasse, Director Global Sales. Among the guests of honor were Kalpesh Saraf, Regional Director of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce in Pune, and representatives of Rödl & Partner, who supported LAUDA in the founding process.
“India is developing into one of the most important future markets for LAUDA,” explains Dr. Gunther Wobser. “The World Bank forecasts economic growth of 6.7 percent for the next two years. We want to make the most of these exceptional market opportunities with our local presence.” Pune in the state of Maharashtra offers excellent conditions as a location. The metropolitan region, with a population of around five million, is located 150 kilometers southeast of Mumbai. Major German companies such as Liebherr, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz India, as well as larger medium-sized companies such as Marquardt, have already settled in the region. The final location was chosen after Dr. Wobser participated in a successful delegation trip organized by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs in February 2025.
The structure of Degree LAUDA Precision is based on the successful cooperation with the Indian representative Sawant Process Solutions Pvt. Ltd., which has been a distributor for LAUDA for 17 years and will take a 25 percent stake in the new sales company. Devaki Sawant will join Managing Director Marco Hauser and Dr. Gunther Wobser as a member of the board of directors. The entire Sawant family, including Sandeep Sawant, Managing Director & CEO, his wife Gauri Sawant, Member of the Board of Directors, as well as Devaki and her sister Deveshree Sawant, attended the opening ceremony.
“We rely on proven partnerships and combine these with the advantages of our own company,” explains Dr. Wobser. “Sawant Process Solutions is much more than a successful distributor. As a partner in our joint venture, they have demonstrated trust, reliability, and competence over many years and opened the doors to the Indian market for us.”
In addition to the joint venture with Sawant Process Solutions, LAUDA has already gained three further sales partners for the region: S.V. Scientific and APP Systems, with whom LAUDA already works successfully in Singapore, will also be active in India. Nuventa Limited acts as a partner in Bangladesh. Further distributors are to follow. “With new sales partners, we are gaining access to additional customer groups such as automotive and semiconductors,” emphasizes Dr. Wobser.
LAUDA is sending experienced sales specialist Marco Hauser to Pune to set up and manage the new subsidiary. He has been living in the Indian metropolis with his family since the beginning of August 2025. “Having our own sales office enables us to improve intercultural exchange, obtain first-hand market information, and coordinate local sales activities much more closely,” emphasizes Dr. Wobser.
“We are not only bringing our products and technologies to India, but also our values such as quality, reliability, and innovation,” said Dr. Wobser in his opening speech. With Degree LAUDA Precision, the family-owned company is planning double-digit growth rates per year in the coming years. The investment in the Indian sales company underscores the long-term commitment of LAUDA to one of the most dynamic economic regions in the world and its conviction that local presence is the key to sustainable success in this promising market.