Pictured from left to right: Gerhard Marte (Fries executive management)/Martin Rhomberg (Fries partner), Sylvia Hofinger (Association of the Austrian Chemical Industry)/Thomas Rhomberg, Katharina Rhomberg, Gerhard Bertsch (Fries executive management
After 32 years of successful service, FRIES Kunststoff GmbH Managing Director Thomas Rhomberg entered into well-deserved retirement in a ceremony on 9 November. The occasion commenced with a short tour of the company at corporate headquarters in Sulz, followed by festivities at the 2erlei in Rankweil.
As Managing Director for Research and Development, Rhomberg significantly has influenced the company’s success story in recent decades. After completing his studies in plastics engineering in Vienna and spending several years abroad, he began his professional career at FRIES in 1986. Rhomberg was appointed authorized signatory in 1988. In 2002, he assumed the helm as managing director under trade law, and has been a managing partner since 2007.
With his extensive techincal knowledge of plastics and plastics processing, Rhomberg has influenced countless product as well as material and process innovations. FRIES holds numerous patents and has garnered several awards for innovation (including multiple national awards, in addition to being a Worldstar and Eurostar award winner). Through his great dedication and his tireless scientific activities in the polymers sector, Rhomberg was able to share his knowledge and know-how in various expert groups throughout Europe. Rhomberg is also a winner of the Ernst Schmitz Prize (TGM) and a recipient of the silver badge of honor (ÖNORM), in addition to being awarded with the H.F. Mark Medal.
In addition to his wife and family, the evening’s well-wishers included Sylvia Hofinger/Johann Pummer (Association of the Austrian Chemical Industry), Michael Washüttl/Peter Krojer (Austrian Research Institute for Chemistry and Technology), Michael Amann (Vorarlberg Chamber of Commerce) and Karl Wutschitz (Mayor of Sulz).
The evening’s well-received entertainment was provided by solo cabaret artist Gabi Fleisch, who performed excerpts from her successful show “i hau ab”.