Anniversary celebrations at Wiegand-Glas

It is a tradition at the Wiegand-Glas business group that employees are honoured for many years of loyal service to the company. On Thursday, 23 January 2020, the time had come again. The managing directors Oliver and Nikolaus Wiegand honoured 75 employees celebrating their anniversaries and bid farewell to 21 employees going into retirement.
Oliver Wiegand was pleased that ten employees could be honoured for 40 years of service. "That doesn't happen so often these days!" The managing director reminded the audience that none of the honoured employees had the same job as when they first joined the company. He spoke of changes and of the change that is necessary to be successful in the future. "To stand still is to take a step backwards!"

Our employees are our greatest asset

Oliver Wiegand pointed out that change often comes with criticism. Many are afraid of new things. But if you want to be successful, you have to show flexibility and face new challenges. He emphasised that the anniversary celebrants have faced up to change in the past decades and stressed that the management will continue to depend on the commitment of the employees in the future, as well as addressing the current issues of climate and environmental protection. We must be careful that the industry is not left behind. He emphasised that the Wiegand-Glas corporate group has been making its contribution to climate protection for years.

This is why 25 percent of the investments for the new glass factory in Schleusingen are used for environmental protection. Compared to 2018, the corporate group has reduced CO₂ emissions by more than 3.4 percent, which is more than required by law.

A further challenge is posed by the recruitment of junior staff. In order to overcome this challenge, the Wiegand-Glas corporate group consistently invests in training and further education. Here, the management is dependent on the help of those celebrating an anniversary. They have the know-how that the young employees must acquire.

Congratulations and acknowledgements

The Deputy District Administrator Gerhard Wunder also conveyed his congratulations. Without capable employees there can be no success. And almost everyone has to face up to change in today's world, he said.

Gerhard Wunder also addressed the current discussions in the field of climate and environmental protection. Certainly a lot needs to be done in this area. "But done so with measure and purpose, heart and mind!" He assured the companies of the district's support and emphasised the importance of industry for the region, whose employees help to ensure that taxes flow into the municipal budgets. The glass industry on the Rennsteig "has an enormous and beneficial influence on the district!" He also thanked the management for their loyalty to the location.

"So much experience and expertise in one room – not everyone is so fortunate," said Michael Keltner, Chairman of the Works Council of the glass plant in Schleusingen, who also conveyed the congratulations of his colleagues Werner Fehn (Steinbach am Wald plant), Ronny Beck (Glaswerk Ernstthal plant) and Christoph Neumann (Großbreitenbach plant). He described the employees celebrating their anniversaries as "solution-oriented team players", whom we must thank for their many years of commitment to the company.

Ingbert Löffler, head of human resources, also congratulated the celebrating employees. Without the competence and expertise of each individual, the company would not be where it is now, he said firmly. "I hope that you will remain with us for a long time to come," wished Löffler.

Present at the anniversary celebration were the mayor of Steinbach, Thomas Löffler, his colleagues from Schleusingen and Ernstthal, André Henneberg and Norbert Zitzmann. They also honoured the achievements of those celebrating their anniversaries, and the management also thanked them for their loyalty to the location.

After the official part of the event, the employees took the opportunity to exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere and over a delicious meal. It brought back many a memory.