125 Jahre LEONHARD WEISS: The era of YELLOW begins

Historical portrait of Leonhard Weiß in a suit with pocket watch

Leonhard Weiß – a child of the building site

Born in 1880, he grew up as the son of an itinerant contractor during the railway boom. Inspired by his father's vocation, Leonhard set up his own company in 1900, after training as a civil engineer and only a few years professional experience.

HISTORY

Milestones

1900

Portrait of Leonhard Weiß with ceremonial dress, hat and chain of honour

The path into the unknown

Construction of the Aalen – Neresheim – Ballmertshofen railway line, Leonhard Weiß ventures into self-employment.

1901

Colour photo of a rail vehicle on the Härtsfeldbahn, surrounded by green nature

The first LEONHARD WEISS building site Härtsfeldbahn

In 1900, the then 20-year-old Leonhard Weiß was awarded the contract to extend a 10-kilometers-section of the Härtsfeldbahn and successfully completed the project. This was the beginning of our family business.

1908

The family bond is established and endures

Leonhard marries Ottilie Streicher, for whom he chooses Göppingen as his permanent home.

She supported the company and the family as a pillar of strength, especially in difficult times. She is remembered as a strong businesswoman.

1912

Black and white photo of a roller with the inscription ‘Leonhard Weiss KG Göppingen’ in use during road construction around 1920, in front of a half-timbered house

Competence grows from experience

The first road construction projects for the now well-established company follow.

1914

Portrait of Leonhard Weiß in uniform during his service in the First World War

Leonhard is called up

He spent four years at the front, while Ottilie stayed at home in Göppingen to keep the business going. Despite all the difficulties, she manages to run the business until Leonhard returns to work in the company after the war.

1921

Black and white photo of the LEONHARD WEISS company site in Göppingen

The company is flourishing

After the First World War, Leonhard acquires a disused gravel pit and lays the foundation stone for the modern headquarters of one of Germany's leading construction companies.

If you are passionate about what you do, success will follow.

Harald Degginger, Civil Engineering Foreman

Leonhard Weiß standing next to a young girl, taken on a sunny day in front of a body of water

Black and white portrait of Johann Weiß, father of Leonhard Weiß, with a distinctive full beard and glasses

Colour photo of the LEONHARD WEISS company building in Göppingen with parked cars on the forecourt

Deep roots in Göppingen

From Göppingen, Leonhard laid the foundations for his company, which initially specialised in the construction of railways, roads and pavements. Together with his family, he used his experience and high quality standards to make the company a success and to expand it with great foresight.

LW construction site 0: Construction of the Härtsfeld railway

Risk. Will. Vision: In 1900, our then 20-year-old founder, Leonhard Weiß, won the contract to extend a 10-kilometer-section of the Härtsfeldbahn railway and successfully completed the project. This contract marked the beginning of our family business.

Anniversary podcast cover by LEONHARD WEISS for the 125th anniversary with a large microphone illustration and a modern design in yellow, black and white

Learn more in the podcast

Prefer to listen?

Experience the beginnings through the voices of Leonhard Weiß's grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The partners take us back to a time when the joy of building began. Despite all the adversities of the 20th century. What were they? Listen in!

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