Award for Helmut Schweiger

Gerresheimer MD receives prize for dual education and training concept

Wackersdorf, 25 March, 2013: Helmut Schweiger, Managing Director of Gerresheimer Horšovský Týn will receive this year’s award “Brückenbauer / Stavitel most?” for “building bridges” in the new “economy” category. The prize is presented by the Bavaria Bohemia e.V. association for outstanding achievements which enhance the relations between the neighboring regions of Bavaria and the Czech Rebublic. The official ceremony took place on 19 March at the Centrum Bavaria Bohemia CBB in Schönsee near the Czech border.

Relations between the border regions of Germany and the Czech Republic are enhanced by individuals, institutions, projects and companies. In 2007, the Bavaria Bohemia e.V., sponsor of the CBB, introduced the annual presentation of the so-called "Brückenbauer" ( bridge-builder) award. This award has been presented to individuals for their untiring, commendable and pioneering commitment to enhancing the "good neighborhood" of the Bavarian and Czech border regions. In 2012 the award was extended by the new category of "economy". In this new category, awards are presented to individuals, companies or institutions for outstanding achievements in furthering the economic relations and cooperation between Bavaria and the Czech Republic. During the official ceremony, Emilia Müller, Minister for Europe, emphasized the importance of this award. In 2013, a total of six individuals and two projects received an award.

Helmut Schweiger is one of two winners in the "economy" category. The managing director of the Czech Gerresheimer facility received the "Brückenbauer" award for his commitment to improving training and apprenticeship conditions in the Czech Republic. Helmut Schweiger has been with Gerresheimer, then called WILDEN AG, since the establishment of the facility in Horšovský Týn in 2001. As Chief Technical Officer, he was involved in setting up the facility. In 2007, he was appointed Managing Director by the new owner, Gerresheimer AG. Today, the facility has 450 staff members. Vigorous growth confronted the company with a medium- and short-term lack of qualified staff. In order to solve this problem, Helmut Schweiger has been trying to install a dual training and education system in the Czech Republic. In Germany, this system, which involves a close cooperation between companies and vocational colleges, has been successful for years. In the Czech Republic, young professionals first attend a vocational college and then apply to companies after graduation. This approach has one major drawback: while these young professionals have an official qualification, they have no practical skills. In cooperation with the vocational college in Domažlice, Gerresheimer Horšovský Týn decided to test the dual training and education system in a unique pilot project.

Since the beginning of November 2012, thirteen apprentices – among them one young woman – have been taking part in on-site training courses, which are mainly held in Gerresheimer’s new training center. Two injection molding machines are used for practical training. As part of the so-called “Ziel 3” project with the official motto of “We are Europe!”, the dual training and education system is earmarked for further expansion in the Czech Republic and integration into a network of Bavarian vocational colleges. The pilot project has all the hallmarks of being successful and will most certainly be imitated throughout the Czech Republic.

From left to right: Helmut Schweiger (Managing Director, Gerresheimer Horsovsky Tyn spol. s r.o., Anne Gierlach (1st chairwoman of Bavaria Bohemia e.V.) and Hans Eibauer (Head of Centrum Bavaria Bohemia, Schönsee)
From left to right: Helmut Schweiger (Managing Director, Gerresheimer Horsovsky Tyn spol. s r.o., Anne Gierlach (1st chairwoman of Bavaria Bohemia e.V.) and Hans Eibauer (Head of Centrum Bavaria Bohemia, Schönsee)

Arnold Kimmerl (Mayor of Pfreimd) congratulates Helmut Schweiger (Managing Director Gerresheimer Horsovsky Tyn spol. s r.o., on the right)
Arnold Kimmerl (Mayor of Pfreimd) congratulates Helmut Schweiger (Managing Director Gerresheimer Horsovsky Tyn spol. s r.o., on the right)

About Gerresheimer

Gerresheimer is a leading specialist for the production of premium-quality glass and plastic products for the international pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. We offer a wide range of products and services, from pharmaceutical vials right through to complex drug delivery systems such as syringe systems, insulin pens and inhalers for reliable and safe drug dispensing and application. Together with our partners, we develop concepts that set new standards and serve as a model for the entire industry.

With about 11,000 employees and forty-seven production sites in Europe, the US, South America and Asia, our group of companies posts sales of about EUR 1.2bn. The systematic consolidation of our strong market position is based on top-rate technology, impressive innovations and strategic investments.

Media contact:

Marion Stolzenwald
Gerresheimer AG
Benrather Straße 18-20
Phone: +49 211-6181246
Fax: +49 211-6181241
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Karin Strasser
Gerresheimer Regensburg GmbH
Oskar-von-Miller-Straße 6
92442 Wackersdorf
Phone: +49 9431 639 6140
Fax: +49 9431 79838 6140
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