“Windhoffest” at the Heuchelheim site
A convivial evening in Schunk's company restaurant in Heuchelheim: more than 700 former employees and long-serving staff from the Heuchelheim and Wettenberg sites celebrated the traditional Windhoffest (Windhof festival) there.
Peter R. Manolopoulos, CEO of the Schunk Group, used this opportunity to give the guests an overview of the company's current development. Among other things, he informed the guests about the successful 2024 financial year, in which Schunk generated over €1.8 billion, an increase of 11 percent over the previous year. Schunk was once again able to improve its equity ratio and thus its financial stability, and continued to invest heavily in its future in 2024.
However, Manolopoulos also made it clear that, given the weak economic development in Germany and Europe in the 2024 fiscal year, not everything had gone well for Schunk. Schunk's profitability did not keep pace with sales. For this reason, Schunk further strengthened its “Focus on Performance” program in 2025, which is designed to increase productivity and profitability. Looking ahead, the Schunk Strategy 2030 aims to ensure profitable growth and thus the continued success of Schunk in the future.
Manolopoulos also thanked the company pensioners and long-serving employees for their commitment to Schunk. “Without your dedication in the past, Schunk would not exist in its current form. During your active time at Schunk, you laid the foundations for this with your commitment.”
DLRG thanks Schunk for supporting its work
Traditionally, a donation is also presented at the Windhoffest. This year, the Windhof donation of €10,000 went to the Heuchelheim branch of the German Life Saving Association (DLRG). Klaus Steinmüller from the local group pointed out that Schunk and the DLRG share the same founding year, 1913.
In Heuchelheim, the DLRG has been volunteering for almost six decades, providing swimming lessons, disaster relief, and youth work. It ensures that non-swimmers are trained to become swimmers and swimmers are trained to become lifeguards. In addition to training, the DLRG teaches life-saving skills, strengthens community spirit, and provides safety at sporting events. Its tasks also include a disaster control unit and the training of divers.
The local group is currently facing the challenge of expanding its new location in Heuchelheim for its work. This requires renovations to enable both club activities and disaster control.
“We are very grateful to Schunk for supporting us with your donation and enabling us to continue our charitable work for children, young people, and society,” said Steinmüller.
A cheerful evening at the old workplace
For the many former Schunk employees, the Windhoffest is a welcome opportunity every year to visit their former workplace and maintain friendships with old colleagues. The three oldest guests did not want to miss out on this either: Karl Göbel from Buseck (93), Heinz Schieferstein from Wettenberg (93), and Erwin Dudenhöfer from Biebertal (96) were personally welcomed to great applause. Once again, the Kinzenbach brass band and the kitchen team from the Schunk company restaurant provided the perfect backdrop for a cheerful evening.