December 15--On December 13, the Werner-von-Siemens-Ring Stiftung [Foundation] awarded German entrepreneur Professor Berthold Leibinger Germany's most important technology award. The Werner-von-Siemens Ring is awarded every three years to "pioneers in technology." This year it was awarded in the presence of the president of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Leibinger received the award "in honor of his contributions to the innovative development and successful entrepreneurial implementation of the technologies for flexible sheet metal processing and industrial laser technology," Professor Ernst O. Goebel, president of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) and chairman of the Foundation Committee, said regarding the jury's decision. Due to his introduction of laser technology in materials processing at the end of the 1970s, the technology pioneer brought about an enormous leap forward in innovation in this industry.
Engineering achievements and excellent technological developments, the courage to attempt something new, and social responsibility--this combination has made Leibinger an exceptional businessman.
Leibinger was a student intern at TRUMPF when he wrote his diploma thesis that led to three groundbreaking patents. After a two-year stay in the U.S., which at that time dominated the machine tool industry, the young engineer became manager of the Construction Department at TRUMPF in 1961. His inventions allowed the company to advance and Leibinger, too. For his patents, TRUMPF reimbursed him with company shares, and in 1978 he became chairman of the managing board. Today, the company belongs to his family, and he presides over it as chairman of its supervisory board. From 1961 until 2006, TRUMPF's sales boostd from 5 million Euros to 1.65 billion Euros; the number of employees increased from 300 to 7000 worldwide.
For more information, visit www.trumpf.com.