President & CEO, Dr. Gunther Wobser (left), presents the prestigious Dr.-Rudolf-Wobser-Medal to Fritz Bartelt senior (center). Fritz Bartelt junior, who continues the successful family tradition as the current Managing Director, is delighted with his father. © LAUDA
LAUDA awards Dr.-Rudolf-Wobser-Medal to Austrian corporate partner
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.
The new Managing Director of LAUDA Medical GmbH & Co KG, Dr. Stefanie Krieger, together with Dr. Gunther Wobser. The experienced medical technology expert will be responsible for the development and market launch of the new hypothermia device. © LAUDA
Dual leadership with interim Managing Director Werner Kilb until the end of March 2025
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG announces that Dr. Stefanie Krieger has been appointed Managing Director of LAUDA Medical GmbH & Co. KG in Würzburg with effect from December 1, 2024.
The 44-year-old biologist with a doctorate, who joined the company on September 1, 2024, brings extensive experience to her new position. Most recently, she worked as an auditor for medical devices in accordance with the Medical Device Regulation (MDR). This EU regulation places strict requirements on medical device manufacturers to ensure the highest level of safety, quality and performance. The knowledge she gained from her time as a senior project manager at a leading company for clinical studies and data management in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical technology industry, as well as her scientific work at the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, form a solid basis for her new role.
Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA, sees her expertise and leadership strength as important success factors for the further expansion of LAUDA Medical: “Dr. Stefanie Krieger brings the professional expertise we need to achieve our ambitious goals. Her know-how in medical technology and her team-oriented leadership are particularly important for the success of the new company.”
LAUDA Medical, founded on 1 March 2021, specializes in the development, production and distribution of medical devices and related services. The subsidiary benefits from the LAUDA Group's almost 50 years of experience in the development and manufacture of hypothermia devices for the leading manufacturer of heart-lung machines. LAUDA Medical is currently concentrating on the development of a completely new type of successor device. This innovation will enable absolutely safe temperature control for patients during heart surgery.
As the new Managing Director, Dr. Stefanie Krieger is responsible for the operational business of LAUDA Medical GmbH & Co. KG at the new Würzburg site. One of her main tasks will be the planned market launch of the new hypothermia device in January 2026. Dr. Krieger can count on the support of an experienced team of currently eight highly qualified employees. Their expertise will make a decisive contribution to further strengthening LAUDA Medical's position as a leading company in medical technology. The interim Managing Director, Werner Kilb, will provide support until the end of the first quarter and then concentrate fully on his core tasks as Director Finance at LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG.
Milestone at LAUDA Italia: Antonio Manconi (left), who has successfully managed the company for ten years, accepts the congratulations and certificate of honour from Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA. © LAUDA
Managing Director of the Italian sales company expands business further
On the occasion of Antonio Manconi's tenth anniversary at LAUDA, the world market leader for precise temperature control honored the Managing Director of LAUDA Italia S.r.l. for his outstanding achievements. Under his leadership, the Italian subsidiary has developed into an important pillar of the family business and achieved a record turnover of around 4 million euros in 2023.
Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG, praised Manconi's achievements: “Antonio has made a significant contribution to the growth of LAUDA Italia with his extensive experience and deep understanding of the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. His consistent customer focus and marketing expertise have established the company as the market leader in Italy.”
Manconi can look back on an impressive career that led him to LAUDA via various positions in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. His professional career began with his studies in industrial chemistry at the Chemical College in Milan. Before joining LAUDA, he gained valuable experience in management positions at well-known companies such as VWR International, including as Managing Director of the Italian subsidiary.
“The past ten years at LAUDA have been an extraordinary journey,” summarizes Antonio Manconi. “I am proud to be part of a company that focuses on innovation and quality. LAUDA Italia's success is the result of hard work and the commitment of our entire team.”
The award was presented during a visit by Dr. Gunther Wobser to LAUDA Italia on November 28. At a festive dinner, he presented a certificate and a gift as a sign of recognition for outstanding achievements.
Dr. Wobser emphasized the importance of Antonio Manconi's expertise for the international orientation of the company: “Antonio is an extremely valuable member of our international management team with his level-headed manner and his experience. His ability to meet local market needs while thinking through global strategies is invaluable to LAUDA.”
LAUDA Managing Directors Dr. Marc Stricker, Dr. Gunther Wobser and Dr. Mario Englert (from left to right) are delighted to have once again been named world market leader. Despite a challenging year, they are optimistic about the future and continue to focus on innovation and global growth. © LAUDA
Assertiveness despite economic challenges
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG has been recognized as the global market leader in the field of “Constant temperature equipment and systems for precise temperature control” for the ninth time. The renowned “Global Market Leader Index”, which is determined under the direction of Prof. Dr. Christoph Müller of the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, forms the basis for the annual award by the leading business magazine “WirtschaftsWoche”.
Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA, emphasizes the importance of this award: “The renewed recognition as world market leader fills us with great pride, especially in this challenging year. It underlines the outstanding performance of our employees at three German sites and eleven foreign subsidiaries. Together, we will continue to pursue our vision of improving the world with precise temperatures.”
Despite ongoing global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, inflation and recession risks, LAUDA has defended its market position. The company is consistently focusing on strategic measures in the areas of digitalization, professionalization of service, customer proximity in sales and the development of an exemplary production and logistics concept.
“As a family business, we act for the long term,” Dr. Wobser emphasizes. “Our success is based on the balance between tradition and innovation. It is satisfying to contribute to solving global challenges with our technologies.”
Being named world market leader once again confirms the role of LAUDA as an innovation driver and sales leader in the industry. The company continuously invests in research and development to expand and optimize its product range. Special attention is paid to energy-efficient solutions and the support of sustainable technologies.
In the coming years, LAUDA will continue to expand its international presence and open up new markets. The world market leader is focusing on strategic partnerships and the expansion of its global sales network.
The joy at the opening of the new LAUDA production facility in Pinghu is clear to see for everyone involved, from left to right: Lisa Zhang (Deputy General Manager of Investment Development Group of Pinghu Economic-Technological Development Zone), Ernest Liu (Managing Director LAUDA Production China), Dr. Marc Stricker (COO), Miao He (Standing Committee Member of Pinghu Party Committee and Secretary of Party Working Committee of Pinghu Economic-Technological Development Zone), Dr. Gunther Wobser (President & CEO of LAUDA), Xuebin Wang (Director of the Administrative Committee of PEDZ), Yifeng Shen (Vice Director of Administrative Committee of Pinghu Economic-Technological Development Zone), Christoph Baumann (Director Global Production at LAUDA) and Anni Chu (Director of German Investment Promotion Bureau of Pinghu Economic-Technological Development Zone). © LAUDA
New Pinghu plant near Shanghai inaugurated
LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG officially opened its new production facility in Pinghu, China, on October 18, 2024. With around 2,300 square meters, the plant doubles the previous production area and is an important milestone in the company's international expansion strategy. The global market leader for precise temperature control has been developing and manufacturing in China for eleven years.
Around 50 guests attended the opening ceremony, including LAUDA President & CEO Dr. Gunther Wobser, Dr. Marc Stricker (COO) and Christoph Baumann (Director Global Production). As local guests of honor, Ernest Liu, General Manager of LAUDA Production China, welcomed Miao He (Standing Committee Member of Pinghu Party Committee and Secretary of Party Working Committee of Pinghu Economic-Technological Development, abbreviated as: PEDZ), and the Director of the Administrative Committee of PEDZ, Xuebin Wang. The celebrations included traditional Chinese performances and rituals such as drum dancing, lion dancing and mask changing (Bian Lian).
In his speech, Dr. Gunther Wobser emphasized the importance of the move from Shanghai to Pinghu and gave an overview of the commitment of LAUDA in Asia: “Our expansion in the Far East began in 2006 with the 'Focus Asia' strategic project. In 2008, we established our own sales presence with LAUDA China and in 2013 we started production. With today's opening of the new production site in Pinghu, we are not only doubling our capacity, but also underlining our long-term commitment to this dynamic region.”
The investment in the new site underlines the confidence LAUDA has in the Chinese market and in the capabilities of the local team. Dr. Marc Stricker highlighted the efficiency of the project: “Thanks to the excellent cooperation of everyone involved, we were able to complete the relocation and expansion in just nine months. This is proof of the dynamics and commitment of our entire team.”
In recent years, LAUDA has continuously invested in quality assurance of the entry-level devices manufactured in China. Ernest Liu proudly reports: “For several years now, we have been able to guarantee the well-known LAUDA quality for all of our products manufactured in China and thus supply our customers worldwide directly.” With a planned annual turnover of around 120 million euros and over 600 employees worldwide, LAUDA sees the new plant as a geographically important basis for further growth.
Dr. Wobser accentuated the strategic importance of the new location. With the expansion, the family-owned company is ideally positioned to meet the growing demands of the Asian market and at the same time optimize the global supply chain. The new premises will enable the company to respond more flexibly to customer requirements and further strengthen its innovative power. At the same time, research and development will be expanded locally.
