Nauen. The Wirthwein location in Nauen celebrated its 30th anniversary with a large family festival. Approximately 250 employees, family members, former colleagues, business partners, and Nauen’s mayor, Dr. Michael Wiebersinsky, gathered to celebrate the anniversary. Plant Manager Garri Genrich welcomed the guests and guided them through the anniversary day’s program.
Three decades after production began, the location is now a prime example of Wirthwein’s ability to continuously adapt to changing conditions. What began in the mid-1990s as a supplier to the home appliance industry evolved over the following 30 years into a diversified company with products for various industries and markets. Today, Nauen manufactures, among other things, components such as fan impellers in the New Energy market segment, as well as interior, structural, and functional components for well-known automakers, which are delivered to their production locations worldwide. The willingness to embrace change and the consistent further development of the location have always formed the foundation for sustainable success.
Nauen – a location in constant change
In his speech, Holm Riepenhausen, Chief Technical Officer, paid tribute to the achievements of the past 30 years and placed the location's development in the context of the profound changes that have shaped the industry and companies in recent years. Global crises, supply chain issues, rising costs, geopolitical risks, and the transformation of the automotive industry have fundamentally altered the demands placed on companies. At the same time, he emphasized the site’s ability to successfully adapt to new conditions time and again. Thanks to its high level of automation, Nauen is thus able to hold its own in the current turbulent market environment.
One focus of the event was looking ahead. While the announced closure of production at our long-standing home appliance customer marks the end of an important chapter in the location's history, new product lines and additional customer opportunities are opening up prospects for the future. Recent years have shown that diversification and transformation are the key prerequisites for securing employment and competitiveness in the long term.
Special recognition was given to employees celebrating work anniversaries in 2026. They represent the dedication, experience, and loyalty of many employees who have helped build and develop the location over the decades. Long-tenured employees form an important foundation for the company’s future viability and the preservation of valuable expertise. Plant Manager Garri Genrich emphasizes the strong team dynamic, which features a balanced mix of young innovators and experienced specialists who are eager to share their knowledge, ensuring that the site is well-equipped for the future.
30th Anniversary of Wirthwein Nauen
The family festival offered guests company tours, children’s activities, hands-on workshops, and numerous opportunities for personal interaction. Opening the production facilities to families, friends, and colleagues made it clear that Wirthwein Nauen’s success is not based solely on modern technology or efficient processes, but above all on the people who have shaped the site for the past 30 years.
At the conclusion of the event, Plant Manager Garri Genrich was congratulated by Chief Technical Officer Holm Riepenhausen on being granted power of attorney. This honor recognizes the site’s growing responsibilities and the company’s confidence in its future development.
The success story of Wirthwein Nauen is characterized by change, responsibility, and solidarity. With the same willingness to embrace change that has distinguished the site over the past three decades, the plant is now focusing on the challenges and opportunities of the coming years.
Anniversary Celebrants for 2026:
10 years: Nadine Schönnebeck, Viola Martin, Mario Dittmann, Michael Enge, Olaf Holz, Peter Knappe, Sven Kräkel, and Jörg Nölte
20 years: Florian Lehmann
25 years: Norbert Krüger
30 years: Heike Weber and Dirk Hartmann
