Obituary: Klaus Zimmermann

Klaus Zimmermann, former managing director of Marangoni’s operation in Germany, passed away on Easter Monday, aged 83. Marangoni Retreading Systems Deutschland GmbH thus farewells a colleague who provided more than 45 years of service and whose efforts are credited with contributing to the company’s current successes.

Even before joining the family business, which was still known as Heinrich Ellerbrock & Söhne at the time, Klaus Zimmermann had the opportunity to gain professional experience in Italy. Being able to perfectly understand the Italian mindset and language would later become very important to him, both during and after the Marangoni Group’s acquisition of the firm in 1990.

Mr Zimmermann joined Ellerbrock in 1962. After holding several managerial positions, he was promoted to managing director in 1988, holding this role until his retirement in 2008.

According to Marangoni Retreading Systems Deutschland GmbH, as Ellerbrock has been known since 2011, Klaus Zimmermann left his mark on the company over the course of many years. The retreading specialist says he made it possible for the Ellerbrock family business to become an essential part of the Marangoni Group. In doing this, he succeeded in maintaining the spirit of the family business. His office was always open. He was always willing to listen to everyone’s problems and always found a solution.

“Our current successes are also the result of his efforts,” states Matthias Leppert, current managing director of Marangoni Retreading Systems Deutschland. “Klaus Zimmermann always saw the good in all of us and brought out the best in us. I personally owe him a lot, he is in my thoughts and holds a special place in my heart.”

Marangoni states that the legacy of Klaus Zimmermann is deeply ingrained in the company’s history, adding that its employees commemorate Klaus Zimmermann in keeping with the comforting words of Albert Schweizer: ‘The most beautiful commemoration that a man can get comes from the heart of his fellow men.’