Citizens' medals as a mark of esteem
Bausch + Ströbel and their staff celebrate with a glittering anniversary party and a great programme of entertainment
Is there any way to top a glittering party? Only in non-material terms. Ilshofen did it: Mayor Wurmthaler presented citizens' medals to two outstanding entrepreneurs.
MATTHIAS BARTELS
Ilshofen. One thing can be said about the people in charge at Bausch + Ströbel: the 40-year-old pharmaceutical equipment manufacturer knows how to party. Despite its over seven-hour-duration, the anniversary gala for more than 1,500 guests at Arena Hohenlohe on Saturday night simply flew by. In conclusion: it was a superb evening. From the art of the theatre to the details, the polished world-class program showed why this company, which started off very humbly as a "garage venture", now has the confidence that goes with world market leader status.
The reception in front of and inside the marquee gave an inkling of the superlatives to come. And the guests, who had come prepared for a gala, were indeed not disappointed. Multimedia was the magic word. MC Dirk Denzer, dressed in white from head-to-toe, unleashed a veritable firework of entertainment, ambiance, excitement and information. The low-key attitude of the company's founders, Rolf Ströbel and Siegfried Bullinger, struck the right note with the guests when they mentioned that in fact their stage is not the show, but innovative technology.
So what more was there to do for Ilshofen's Mayor, Roland Wurmthaler, than to top all superlatives by presenting the two directors, who have made this Ilshofen company the world leader in its industry, with the highest honor the town can award? The town council unanimously voted to bestow the citizens' medal on the two founding fathers of Bausch+Ströbel. Undoubtedly a good choice, considering the benefits for the municipality such as a steady flow of commercial tax revenue from the company, which currently provides employment for nearly 900 people. Messrs Bullinger and Ströbel were visibly moved.
The evening included some extremely informative video sequences outlining the company's history and milestones in product development, basic and advanced training (the apprentices' choir was brilliant!), customer care, innovative ability and many other success factors which have steadily brought the pharmaceutical packaging equipment manufacturer to the top over 40 years. "Success through experience and innovation" was the motto for this tremendously entertaining evening. There was nothing more to be added
Those present discovered that Ilshofen has the short-sightedness of the Michelbach and Schwäbisch Hall town councillors to thank for the fact that this hugely successful employer had set up in their town. Ilshofen gratefully acknowledged this on Saturday. No fewer than 650 young people have had the benefit of an apprenticeship with "B+S" and more than 300 of them still work there today - another indicator of esteem and an enduring human attitude. The red carpet at the Arena convering the path everyone walked up on their way to the show program and dinner was in a way a symbol of the esteem in which this company holds its staff. As Rolf Ströbel said, "It took a great team to make it all happen."
