"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.
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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.
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Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA (right), together with the two managing directors – CFO Dr. Mario Englert (left) and COO Dr. Marc Stricker (2nd from left) – honored Jutta Mark (3rd from left) and Gabriele Wobser (2nd from right) for their 45th company anniversary. © LAUDA
Long-standing loyalty to the family business honored
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG honored two exceptional employees for their 45 years of service to the company in a ceremony. Jutta Mark and Gabriele Wobser were honored in the presence of the LAUDA management for their decades of loyalty and outstanding achievements for the family-owned company.
Both jubilarians began their professional careers at LAUDA in 1980 and have helped shape the company's development over the past 45 years. Jutta Mark began her training as an office clerk on September 8, 1980, and built her career from the Export department to OEM Sales to Key Account Management, where she now takes care of key national and international customers. Gabriele Wobser, daughter of former LAUDA President & CEO Karlheinz Wobser, began her training as a technical draftswoman on September 15, 1980, and progressed from the Research and Development department to the Manager of Design in the Plant Engineering department. Her expertise in CAD design and project coordination makes her an indispensable pillar of the company. Both Jutta Mark and Gabriele Wobser have kept their knowledge up to date through continuous training and are valuable employees in their respective departments.
Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA, praised the extraordinary achievements of both employees in his laudatory speech: “Jutta Mark and Gabriele Wobser embody the values of our family business in a special way. With their 45 years of loyalty and continuous professional development, they have played a decisive role in shaping LAUDA. Their expertise, commitment, and reliability make them indispensable pillars of our success.”
Dr. Wobser particularly highlighted Jutta Mark's international expertise, who cultivates global customer relationships through her language skills and many years of export experience, as well as Gabriele Wobser's technical expertise in CAD design and project coordination in plant engineering.
In recognition of their outstanding achievements, Jutta Mark and Gabriele Wobser received both the LAUDA certificate and the certificate of honor from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Dr. Wobser concluded by emphasizing: “Employees such as Jutta Mark and Gabriele Wobser demonstrate that loyalty, competence, and continuous development are the cornerstones of our family business. Their 45 years of service are impressive proof of the special bond between our employees and LAUDA.”
The double anniversary underscores the importance of long-standing employees for the continuity and success of the family-owned company LAUDA. Such extraordinary careers demonstrate the appreciation and trust that has grown between the company and its employees over decades. They also illustrate the stability and family atmosphere that characterizes LAUDA as an employer and forms the basis for sustainable corporate success.
