Ebm-Papst founder celebrates 80 years

GERMANY: Gerhard Sturm, fan pioneer and founder of Ebm-Papst over five decades, celebrates his 80th birthday today.

Gerhard Sturm led Ebm-Papst from its beginnings as a small company with 35 employees to the technology leader it is today, with around 12,000 employees and sales of over €1.5bn.

After studying to become a machine fitter he joined Ziehl-Abegg, eventually becoming head of production for external rotor motors.

In 1963, together with his friend and mentor, Heinz Ziehl, Gerhard Sturm founded the present-day Ebm-Papst Group, which he led as managing partner until his departure from business operations in 2007. Since then, Sturm has supported the company as chairman of the advisory board.