Professor Berthold Leibinger passed away in Stuttgart today, on October 16, 2018 following a long illness. He would have been 88 on November 26th of this year.
After studying engineering in Stuttgart and spending two years in the US,
Berthold Leibinger joined TRUMPF in 1961 when the company was still a
fledgling machine maker. For his numerous inventions, which he made in the
interests of the company, he received company shares. Against this background,
he became a partner in 1966 at the same time as his function as Managing
Director.
Under his stewardship, TRUMPF evolved into one of the world’s leading machine
manufacturers. Leibinger understood the potential of light as a tool more than any
of his peers, and he is now regarded as one of the pioneers in the industrial
application of lasers.
In 2005, with three children, he handed over the reins of the company to his
eldest daughter, Dr. Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller. His son, Dr. Peter Leibinger, is
Vice Chairman of the Managing Board. His daughter, Professor Regine
Leibinger, works as an architect in Berlin.
In addition to his work at TRUMPF, Berthold Leibinger held numerous other
official positions in the German business community. These included his
membership of the supervisory boards of Deutsche Bank AG and BMW AG as
well as his appointment as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BASF SE. He
was President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Stuttgart Region
and, from 1990 to 1992, President of the German Mechanical Engineering.
Industry Association (VDMA). Leibinger was actively involved in supporting
cultural and social initiatives, for instance in his roles as Chairman of the Friends
of the German Literature Archive Marbach and Chairman of the International
Bach Academy. He was a member of the Christian Democratic Union of
Germany (CDU).
In 1992, Leibinger established the Berthold Leibinger Stiftung, a not-for-profit
foundation that dedicates its proceeds to cultural, scientific, religious and
charitable purposes. In 2000, the foundation established the internationally
renowned Berthold Leibinger Innovation Prize, which is awarded once every two
years. It also presents its Comic Book Award on an annual basis.
“Berthold Leibinger was a visionary engineer and entrepreneur. Everything he did
was ultimately directed toward people’s welfare and the common good. He was
an outstanding example to us all,” said Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht, Chairman of the
Supervisory Board of the TRUMPF Group.
The funeral service will be a private ceremony for close family only.
Berthold Leibinger in 2010
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About TRUMPF
TRUMPF is the world market and technology leader in fabricating machinery and industrial lasers. Products manufactured with the company’s technology can be found in almost every sector of industry. TRUMPF Inc. is the largest subsidiary of the TRUMPF Group and is dedicated to serving the U.S., Canadian and Mexican markets. Additional company information is available at: www.trumpf.com
Digital photographs in print-ready resolution are available to illustrate this press release. They may only be used for editorial purposes. Use is free of charge when credit is given
as “Photo: TRUMPF”. Additional photos can be accessed on the company website: www.us.trumpf.com/en/press/media-services.html
Press contact:
Emily Simone Public Relations & Media Representative Office: 1-860-255-6518 Email: Emily.Simone@trumpf.com
TRUMPF Inc. Farmington Industrial Park 111 Hyde Rd. Farmington, CT. 06032
