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Dr. Gunther Wobser, President & CEO of LAUDA DR. R. WOBSER GMBH & CO. KG, accompanied a high-ranking business delegation led by Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut to India at the beginning of February. The world market leader for precise temperature control used the trip to intensify its already very successful business relationships in what is now the world's most populous country with over 1.4 billion people.

Before the actual travel program, the trip began with an important strategy meeting in Mumbai with Sandeep Sawant, Managing Director of Sawant Process Solutions and LAUDA representative. The company is the most important partner of LAUDA in the Indian market. The focus was on current market developments and new prospects for intensified cooperation.

Dr. Wobser then took part in the five-day trip with stops in Delhi, Pune and Mumbai as part of the 44-strong business delegation. The agenda included company visits to JBM Group, Bucher Hydraulics and Siemens as well as high-level business talks on the opportunities for Indo-German cooperation.

“The dynamism of the Indian market is very impressive. The interlocutors are very self-confident and have a clear, ambitious vision of the future,” summarizes Dr. Wobser his impressions. “Up until now, I was more of an Asia and China fan, but now I can see great opportunities for LAUDA to expand in the Indian market.”

In Pune, the ‘Oxford of the East’ with 265,000 students, the delegation visited leading industrial companies such as Bharat Forge and Marquardt. These contacts showed great potential for technological partnerships. The trip concluded with the 21st edition of the popular wine festival ‘Stuttgart meets Mumbai’, where Dr. Wobser was able to deepen relations with Indian partners.

“This trip marks an important step for our commitment in India,” emphasizes Dr. Wobser. “The excellent academic education, the dynamic development of Indian companies and the cooperation with our partner Sawant Process Solutions offer promising prospects.” LAUDA is planning to establish its own presence in Pune this year.

Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut reaffirms the strategic importance of economic cooperation with India. With a trade volume of over four billion euros in 2023, India is an important trading partner for Baden-Württemberg. Around 350 companies from the state are already active in the country. Baden-Württemberg's partnership with the state of Maharashtra, where Mumbai and Pune are located, has been in place for exactly ten years.

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.