07.26.19
Rudolf Epple died July 20, 2019, Epple Druckfarben AG announced.
The former managing director was 93.
Starting at the company in 1952, Epple played a major role in its rise. He was a member of the supervisory board until 2015.
Epple was born on Nov. 8, 1925, in Radebeul near Dresden, Germany, to Carl and Hadwig Epple.
Epple was born on Nov. 8, 1925, in Radebeul near Dresden, Germany, to Carl and Hadwig Epple.
Rudolf helped his father set up ink manufacturing in the Bobingen area, close to Augsburg. After his father's death in 1952, Rudolf and his sister Karla took over the management of the Epple printing ink factory.
Epple acquired numerous patents. One of these was in 1968, for spraying powder that prevents sticking when heavy cardboard sheets are stacked on top of each other.
Epple Druckfarben expanded and opened a branch in Hettlingen, Switzerland in 1972.
In 1993, Epple developed and launched the new, mineral oil-free and therefore environmentally-friendly printing ink generation on a purely plant-based binder combination.
In his private life, Epple was a passionate skier and motorist.
On the company premises in Neusäß, up to three of Rudolf Epple's horses could be seen grazing.
His favorite horse was named Lady and was a present from his mother for his 18th birthday. A lot of colleagues were familiar with a stallion descendent of Lady's named Lotus who was known to the employees as "Bobbi."
Dr. Carl Epple is a member of the board, where he is responsible for innovation and development in Epple Druckfarben AG.
Together with his board member colleague, Gunther Gerlach, who is responsible for sales, finance and production, he leads Epple Druckfarben AG according to his father's principles, supported by his cousin Michael Berz, who is head of the supervisory board.
The supervisory board, management board, employees and worker's council would like to express their sincerest sympathy to the family.
