Berthold Leibinger of Trumpf has Passed Away
The former CEO and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Trumpf dedicated his whole life to his work as an entrepreneur and patron of the arts.
Professor Berthold Leibinger passed away in Stuttgart on October 16, 2018 following a long illness. He would have been 88 on November 26th. Leibinger joined Trumpf in 1961 when the company was still a new machine maker. He became a partner in 1966 at the same time as he was promoted to managing director.
In 2005, with three children, he handed over the reins of the company to his eldest daughter, Dr. Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller. His son, Dr. Peter Leibinger, is Vice Chairman of the Managing Board. His daughter, Professor Regine Leibinger, works as an architect in Berlin.
In addition to his work at Trumpf, Leibinger held numerous other positions in the German business community. This included his membership of the supervisory boards of Deutsche Bank and BMW, as well as his appointment as Chairman of the supervisory board of BASF. He was President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Stuttgart Region and, from 1990 to 1992, President of the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA). Leibinger was actively involved in supporting cultural and social initiatives, for instance in his roles as Chairman of the Friends of the German Literature Archive Marbach and Chairman of the International Bach Academy. He was a member of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU).
In 1992, Leibinger established the Berthold Leibinger Stiftung, a not-for-profit foundation that dedicates its proceeds to cultural, scientific, religious and charitable purposes. In 2000, the foundation established the internationally renowned Berthold Leibinger Innovation Prize, which is awarded once every two years. It also presents its Comic Book Award on an annual basis.
The funeral service will be a private ceremony for close family only.
