At its headquarters in Dautphetal-Buchenau, the Roth family business celebrated its 75th anniversary. The employees and their families were invited. More than 600 guests came to the anniversary celebration - there was a colourful programme and several surprises for them. These included a book presentation and a musical journey through time.
In their speech, the managing partners and the third generation of the company Claus-Hinrich Roth, Christin Roth-Jäger and Dr Anne-Kathrin Roth looked back on the 75-year history of the company and assessed the current situation: "Today on our anniversary day we can really rejoice together! Our family business is doing well economically. We have mastered the challenges we have faced time and again in our 75-year company development."
In 2021, the company achieved a consolidated group turnover of 340 million euros with 1,400 employees worldwide. They thanked the employees for their great dedication and also their families, without whom this great commitment would not have been possible. Despite the current challenging times, the third generation is optimistic: " As a family business, we have managed solidly and thus created a good foundation."
With its product ranges, Roth is well positioned for the future challenges of the energy and climate crisis and offers, for example, a solution for current energy issues with a complete system consisting of a heat pump, suitable heat storage and panel heating. With increasingly hot and dry summers, Roth surface cooling systems and Roth rainwater tanks are becoming more and more important. Roth supplies machines for the future technology of hydrogen and offers filter systems for increasing hygiene challenges.
Book gift from Manfred Roth
After the welcoming speech, Manfred Roth surprised the employees and invited friends with a gift. He had taken the 75th anniversary as an opportunity to write another book. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary, Manfred Roth had already published the book "Vom Handwerksbetrieb zum Weltmarktführer - Ein Leben für das Familienunternehmen". The book now being published is entitled "From worker in the quarry to entrepreneur. Heinrich Roth prepares the way". In it, Manfred Roth describes the eventful life of his father, who laid the foundation for the successful family business. He explains how Heinrich Roth paved the way for the creation and development of Roth Industries. The book contains impressive eyewitness accounts of the economic, social and political conditions of the time. Many photos and illustrations bring the writing to life. Winfried Damm, director of studies and former headmaster of the Städtisches Gymnasium Bad Laasphe, wrote the introduction to the new book. In it he affirms: "Your father's entrepreneurial achievements are highly commendable. In particular, his farsightedness and his willingness to take risks contributed to setting the course for the economic future in his home country already in the first post-war years. The handover of his company to you and the support of your pioneering and future-oriented restructuring and further development of the company are also proof of his entrepreneurial wisdom and life experience."
Manfred Roth expressed his great pleasure that his children have been working with great commitment for the family business for many years and are continuing it in the third generation. Afterwards, Ralf Freund, Chairman of the Works Council, spoke words of greeting on the occasion of the anniversary.
Musical journey through time with the Roth Band and other attractions
Another surprise came from the ranks of the employees. With a live performance, the Roth Band took the guests on a musical journey through time through the decades of the company's history, i.e. since the company was founded in 1947. Just as the Roth employees act creatively along the company vision "The Roth world composes technologies for solutions full of energy", further creative potential was found within the staff. Musical talents from Roth companies in Germany got together and put together a unique set of musical pieces for the anniversary. They rehearsed for the live performance, additionally recorded the songs in a studio and created a CD that musically captures the beauty of the day and will remind those present of the Roth family celebration. The music project was coordinated by the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Roth Industries, Matthias Donges and Michael Pohl, Sales Manager Sanitary Systems at Roth.
There were also culinary treats and a colourful programme led by HR Manager Michael Donges. In addition to a performance by the Obere Lahn Artistic Gymnastics Association, there were other attractions such as marvelling at a police vintage car, a nostalgic chain carousel, a bouncy castle, a face painting and handicrafts corner and a photo box. Interested visitors could take part in a guided tour of the company.
Historical milestones
Foundation
1947 by Heinrich Roth
Development
to an internationally active group of companies under the management of Manfred Roth since 1961. Since 2017, Manfred Roth's children Claus-Hinrich Roth, Christin Roth-Jäger and Dr Anne-Kathrin Roth have been managing directors of the family business. In addition to the four shareholders, the Executive Board includes CEO Matthias Donges and CAO Marcus Schmidt.
First product
Boiler furnace
Milestones of diversification
From 1960: Change of sector to heating and sanitary technology
From 1970: Entry into plastics technology
From 1980: Orientation towards energy systems
From 1990: Expansion into hydraulics and composite technologies
From 2000: Worldwide expansion of the company
From 2010: Harmonisation of business areas & divisions under the Roth brand
From 2020: Further expansion of sustainability & digitalisation
