manroland has bid farewell to the two sexagenarians who have been running its Augsburg web press assembly.

Gerhard Puppich (63) and Franz Reich (64), respectively vice presidents for the assembly of newspaper presses and heatset commercial presses, are retiring at the end of March.

The press maker says they have contributed greatly to the success of the company thanks to their high level of expertise and experience. Along with their teams, they have ensured that enormous printing systems were set up punctually at customer sites around the world.

Puppich initially worked for Hoechst after completing his apprenticeship as a high voltage electrician. After receiving his degree in electrical engineering, he worked for Siemens for 12 years. In 1983, he joined manroland as a senior group manager for electrical assembly, and was promoted to lead this department in 1986. In 1989 he became vice president for electrical manufacturing and field service for heatset commercial presses and newspaper presses, and since 1997, has directed final assembly for newspaper presses.

He is succeeded by Dieter Betzmeier (49), who was previously responsible for project handling of large orders for newspaper presses. Betzmeier is a trained technical draftsman and holds a degree in mechanical engineering (UAS). An Augsburger by birth, he is married with two children.

Reich began his apprenticeship as a machinist at MAN 50 years ago. After military service, he worked as a fitter in the printing press department, enrolled in technical college, and for the next 20 years, assumed responsibility for project assembly and for customer service for heatset commercial presses, ultimately as vice president. In 1994, he became vice president for commissioning, and the following year he assumed the same position in final assembly of heatset commercial presses.

He is succeeded by Stefan Wasserbäch (45), who was previously responsible for project management for heatset commercial presses.

Wasserbäch is a trained offset printer and has a degree in industrial engineering and economics. Born in Esslingen, he is married with two children.

Pictured (from left) Dieter Betzmeier, Gerhard Puppich, Stefan Wasserbäch and Franz Reich