Festschrift 25 Jahre GFM

Preface In the 25th year of a firm it is good tradition to pause for a moment in order to review the past and examine more closely what has been achieved. With this anniversary publication we take the opportunity to present GFM to the public as it is today. 1945-1970 is a short time in the course of events, but a long way for the estab- lishment of a firm and the development of new technical products. For both, two main ideas served as guidelines: to build up an enterprise according to modern planning with the latest equipment, and to develop a product that is ahead of its time in technical design and capable of competing on the world market. We believe we have achieved both of these aims. The following description of our history, and the picture series of our factory and our machines as employed in all the industrial nations of the world may serve as proof of what we have accom- plished. 1 must take this opportunity to thank all of our customers who have placed their confidence in GFM. 1 wish to thank the management of our firm and all our employees as weil as their shop committee representatives. Throughout the years, we were all bound by one goal, to build a modern enterprise and to do everything in our power to establish and maintain its leading position in industry. This commemorative publication would not be complete if I did not especially re- member the man who gave the best years of his life toward building GFM, Dr. techn. Dipl.-Ing. Kurt OTTITZKY. We worked together 23 years in harmony and partner- ship. His neverfailing optimism and energy often helped us through difficult times. Tragic fate took him from our midst on December 9. 1968, and so he did not live to join us in this jubilee. Dr. techn. h. c. Dipl.- Ing . Bruno Kralowetz Chairman of board of directors