Wölco donates for the future
Rolf and Dieter Wölfle Foundation presents printing machine to JGS
Earlier this year, Johannes Gutenberg School (JGS) in Stuttgart, Germany, had a great reason to celebrate: Dieter Wölfle and Uwe Dessecker of Wölco AG stopped by to hand over a label printing machine worth approx. EUR 200,000.- to the vocational school for printing and communications professionals. After the new professional profile of „Letterpress Printer majoring in Label Printing“ was introduced in partnership with Wölco AG 10 years ago, JGS now has a completely overhauled label printing machine with punching unit, UV book printing works, a UV screen printing device and a laminating station at its disposal. The machine was completely overhauled by Wölco AG specialists utilizing more than 1,000 man hours. All wear and tear parts were replaced. As the updates were made, particular emphasis was placed on label production.
With this donation, the Rolf and Dieter Wölfle Foundation made good on its promise to provide extensive support to the apprentices studying at the Gutenberg School. This major project was implemented thanks to the contributions of primary sponsor Wölco AG and additional sponsors, including Graficon AG, 3M-Kennzeichnungssysteme (Identification Systems) and Marbach Stanztechnik (Die Cut Technology).
Now that they have access to this printing machine, the apprentices will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience on such equipment for the first time. They will be able to print and punch out labels of all kinds.
The Rolf and Dieter Wölfle Foundation was established in Ehningen near Stuttgart in December 2003. It is an independent foundation with the sole objective of promoting projects for the common good. Its mission is to support up and coming talent in the diverse specialized disciplines of printing technology, product identification, labeling and automation technology. The Foundation bestows awards of merit upon the highest achievers among each graduating class in label printing at JGS Stuttgart every year.
The Foundation was named for Rolf Wölfle, the founder of Wölco AG in Ehningen and his son, who is the current Chief Executive Officer of the company. Wölco AG was incorporated in 1962 by Rolf Wölfle as a label printing business. Today it is a globally engaged corporation boasting a workforce of more than 130.
Training safeguards the future
In close cooperation with scientific and research institutions, the Ehningen-based company continuously develops the latest applications for die cutting and printing technology and various related processes. “We know that we have a responsibility toward future generations,” explains Dieter Wölfle when asked about his company’s dedication to training. “Only the best training can safeguard Germany’s position as an industrial manufacturing stronghold,” he adds with conviction. “Professionals have to have adequate training and be prepared for their careers. Failure to give them that will eventually result in a lack of talent with much needed know-how,” he emphasizes. The donation of the label printing machine to the Johannes Gutenbergschule marked another important milestone in the direction of consistent educational sponsoring.
During the donation event, which she attended as a representative of the school board, Susanne Eisenmann, Stuttgart’s Mayor for Culture, Education and Sports described this exemplary cooperation as follows: “The collaboration of science and the school provides technology training and education that meets the highest standards.” Ehningen’s Mayor Claus Unger was also present for the event and expressed his deep gratitude for Wölco’s commitment to the cause.
