Glaston Corporation has paid tribute to Karl Lenhardt, founder and managing director of the company that became Glaston Germany GmbH, who has died, age 82
Anders Dahlblom, CEO & President of Glaston Corporation, said: “If there is a need for a prime example of the oft-cited success story ‘From a one-man business to a world market leader’, then one may gladly look back on the life’s work of Karl Lenhardt.
“Glaston Corporation and employees mourn the loss of a down-to-earth, conscientious, responsible and visionary entrepreneur.”
Dietmar Walz, Senior Vice President of Glaston’s Insulating Glass Business Unit added: “With Karl Lenhardt, we are losing a personality for whom people were always at the centre of his thoughts and actions. For him, the company’s success was based not only on his inventive thinking but predominantly on the personal commitment and expertise of his loyal, long-standing employees.”
Karl Lenhardt took the step into self-employment in 1966 at the age of 27, and 36 years later, on the occasion of his retirement in 2002, he handed over a medium-sized mechanical engineering company with 300 employees at the time.
He is credited for developing the current process for manufacturing insulating glass for windows and facades, with more than 150 patents based on his work, including the TPS technology he introduced to the market in 1995.
The tribute continues: “Karl Lenhardt has loved bearing responsibility for his employees, customers, business partners and his company all these years. It was not always easy for him to successfully assert himself in the interplay of circumstances. But his persistence in learning from mistakes and constantly improving, as well as his motivational skills, helped him develop the company successfully.
“Our condolences and deepest sympathy go to his family and loved ones.”
