LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG honored Theo Schlegelmilch on the occasion of his 40th anniversary with the company. In the presence of the management team, managing directors and other guests of honor, the long-serving employee was celebrated for his commitment and loyalty to the family-owned company.

Theo Schlegelmilch began his career at LAUDA on February 4, 1985, in parts production. In the following decades, the trained glazier worked in various departments of the company, including dispatch and powder coating. Since 2010, he has been working in the foaming shop, where he makes an important contribution with his expertise. Perfect insulation of the temperature control units is a decisive quality factor for precise temperature control.

In his laudatory speech, Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO, paid tribute to the jubilee's outstanding achievements: “Theo Schlegelmilch is as versatile as a Swiss army knife. Over four decades, he has distinguished himself in various positions through his flexibility and willingness to learn. His continuous training and his many years of experience in setting up and dismantling trade shows make him a valuable employee.”

Sebastian Weißmann, Manager Production Refrigeration, emphasized the jubilarian's exemplary work ethic: “Theo is characterized by his clean and dedicated way of working. As an early riser, he always organizes his working day independently and reliably. As an experienced veteran of the foaming plant, he has contributed to the growth and current standing of LAUDA for over four decades – making him an important role model for the younger generation. His expertise will leave a big gap.”

Deputy Works Council Chairman Uwe Stastny paid tribute to Theo Schlegelmilch as a helpful, committed and friendly colleague who had also been a member of ‘IG Metall’ (Industrial Union of Metalworkers) for 40 years.

Dr. Wobser added: “Although the foaming department often works behind the scenes, it is indispensable for the quality of our appliances. Employees like Theo Schlegelmilch, who fulfill their tasks with dedication and precision, are the foundation of our family business.” In recognition of his many years of service, the jubilarian received the LAUDA certificate of honor.

Marco Hess, Deputy Mayor of the town of Lauda-Königshofen, conveyed the town's congratulations and emphasized the importance of long-standing employees in his speech: “If everyone sees themselves as an important cog in the company, as Mr. Schlegelmilch does, then the sum of all contributes to the big picture. LAUDA ensures growth, prosperity and jobs in our city and the region.” The official representative honored the jubilarian with a gift of wine and a certificate from the state of Baden-Württemberg, signed by Minister President Winfried Kretschmann.

For Theo Schlegelmilch, the transition to a new phase of life will begin on July 1, 2025, with the start of the partial retirement phase. The passionate hiker will then have more time for his hobby.

LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG is supporting the ‘Deutschlandstipendium’ (German public-private scholarship) program of the Julius-Maximilian-University Würzburg (JMU) for the second time. At the scholarship award ceremony in the historic Toscana Hall of the Würzburg Residence, the students were honored for their outstanding academic achievements and social commitment.

The ‘Deutschlandstipendium’ opens up educational opportunities for high-achieving students of all nationalities, regardless of their social background. In addition to particular success at school and university, the selection criteria also include social commitment and a willingness to take on responsibility. The monthly grant of 300 euros is funded in equal parts by private sponsors such as LAUDA and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

“As the global market leader in the field of precise temperature control, LAUDA is aware of its social responsibility,” emphasizes Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA. “It is particularly important to us to reward highly talented students for their outstanding studies and social commitment. The ‘Deutschlandstipendium’ scholarship enables them to concentrate fully on their studies.”

Julius-Maximilian-University Würzburg, where 14 Nobel Prize winners have already taught, has been supporting young talents with the ‘Deutschlandstipendium’ since 2011. In the 2023/24 funding year, 45 students were supported – and the trend is rising. Nationwide, around 30,000 students benefit from the support of more than 9,000 private donors. For the current academic year 2024/25, LAUDA was able to support three outstanding female students as one of the scholarship donors: Dr. Wobser personally congratulated the scholarship holders Vera Schuhmann, Kira Diemer and Eva Viktoria Münzel on their outstanding academic successes during the scholarship award ceremony.

“As a family business, we have been working towards a better future with technical innovations for almost 70 years,” explains Dr. Wobser. “Supporting the ‘Deutschlandstipendium’ is part of the ongoing commitment of LAUDA to progress and innovation in science. We will continue to support talented students from the University of Würzburg in the coming years and invite them to join our company.”

The festive setting for the award ceremony included performances by a string quartet and words of welcome from Prof. Dr. Doris Fischer, Vice President for Internationalization and Alumni at JMU, and other representatives from business and society.

LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG has awarded Fritz Bartelt senior, the former Managing Director of the Austrian distributor Bartelt GmbH, the Dr.-Rudolf-Wobser-Medal. The award recognizes the exceptional and long-standing partnership between the two family-owned companies, which has existed since 1986.

Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA, personally presented the award at the company headquarters in Graz in the presence of his son and current Managing Director, Fritz Bartelt junior. In his laudatory speech, he emphasized the special collaboration: “The partnership between LAUDA and Bartelt is a prime example of successful cooperation. From the 1980s until his retirement from operational business in 2002, Fritz Bartelt contributed significantly to our growth with his commitment and impetus. His innovative ideas, particularly regarding marketing and internationalization, were groundbreaking for my father and me.”

The partnership between LAUDA and Bartelt GmbH began in 1986 at the analytica trade fair and has since contributed significantly to the success of the global market leader LAUDA. Bartelt, a third-generation company with headquarters in Graz and branches in Vienna, Innsbruck and a partner company in Budapest, generates an annual turnover of around 20 million Euros with around 70 employees. Bartelt GmbH has already received three awards from LAUDA as an outstanding sales partner and offers the complete product range from laboratory equipment to process thermostats requiring intensive consultation.

Now in its third generation under the leadership of Fritz Bartelt, the continued success of the partnership is clearly reflected in the sales figures of recent years. The turnover of more than one million Euros in 2022 was the high point so far. In 2024 the positive trend continued with a total turnover of around 900,000 Euros.