Loyal employees: Koehler honors 92 jubilarians

The celebration in honor of the jubilarians and retirees at the Oberkirch and Kehl locations is a high-light in Koehler’s annual calendar every year. This year, CEO Kai Furler was pleased to welcome a large number of employees who have all been loyal to Koehler for many years. After taking a look at the current situation of the individual divisions and speaking about future investments, Kai Furler proudly reported on the new production line 8.
 
This milestone defined the year 2019 at Koehler, and with the commissioning of the machine, the production site in Kehl is now the largest specialty paper facility in Europe. “With the flexible packaging papers we will produce in Kehl, we are at the forefront of the megatrend away from plastics and toward sustainable packaging solutions,” said Furler. 

Koehler’s goal of being even bigger, stronger, and more diversified can only be achieved with the help of dynamic employees. He thanked them for their longstanding loyalty to the company. “I would like to see all of you continue to support me for many years to come,” said Kai Furler.

A wine festival as an important public holiday

Thomas Lampart, Chairman of the Works Council, spoke in particular about the past. He amused the audience with anecdotes from the minutes of the works council meetings dating back to the years when the jubilarians joined the company – so 10, 25, and 40 years ago respectively. In 1979, for example, it was noted in the minutes that, in addition to those important public holidays on which work was not permitted, the company would also close on the weekend of the Oberkirch Wine Festival. Even if times have now changed, things looks set to stay exciting in the future. 

The 92 jubilarians and retirees were honored by the COO, Dr. Stefan Karrer. He expressed his sincere gratitude for the fact that the jubilarians had invested so much time for Koehler over the course of their lives. “Because spending a long time on something has become increasingly unfashionable,” said Karrer. He also related many anecdotes, especially from the lives of those jubilarians who have been with the company for 40 years. 

A successful evening in every respect

After a short welcome speech by mayor Matthias Braun, who seized on the idea that success is only possible with sufficient motivation to achieve it, the Badnerlied – the unofficial regional anthem of the former state of Baden – kicked off the tasty and sociable part of the evening. In addition to the Koehler works choir, magician Christian Glade also contributed to the entertainment, astonishing the audience with his amazing card tricks. 

The Koehler canteen team once again demonstrated their skills with an outstanding dinner, actively supported by the Drechsler catering team.
In his closing speech, CFO Frank Lendowski once again thanked all those celebrating anniversaries for their service and loyalty. Another thank you went to all those who had once again made the evening something very special.