The building site is his home

Leonhard Weiss was born the son of an itinerant builder. His father, Johann Weiss, originally from Coburg, travelled with his family in a kind of sutler's wagon, similar to those used by the supply train during military operations. The only difference is that the Weiss family's wagon carries tools instead of goods for sale, and is accompanied by day labourers looking for work on the ever-advancing railway construction. The Weiss family's journey takes them all over the country, even to the island of Rügen. It was the time of the railway boom and the country was full of optimism. Between 1870 and 1880 alone, the length of the railway network increased from 18,480 to 33,707 kilometers, connecting places that had previously been difficult to reach. It was the beginning of modern mobility - and little Leonhard Weiß was at the centre of it all. 

He and his two siblings were born and baptised in different places, went to school in different places and then moved again. They have no deep connection with the place where they were born. As a result, Leonhard Weiß will never adopt the Hessian dialect or any other. From the very beginning, his real home was the construction site. 

It has its own rules. His earliest childhood memories are of hard physical labour, of huge steam locomotives spewing thick smoke like monsters. But also of the team spirit among colleagues, which was more important than origin or name. For his father, values such as diligence and reliability count. All this shaped Leonhard Weiss and, above all, he was to remain deeply attached to the railway, on whose trackbed he grew up, for the rest of his life. 

Around 1895, Leonhard Weiß attended secondary school in Würzburg and later trained as a civil engineer. In 1898 he volunteered for the railway pioneer corps. In 1900, he finally won the contract for a major project and ventured out on his own. He finally put down roots in Göppingen. After his marriage to Ottilie Streicher, the town became the home of his family and the headquarters of his young construction company. Despite the difficult economic situation after the First World War and many setbacks, he ran the company successfully until he died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1938. 

Leonhard Weiss was a warm person, known for his rough humour and direct manner. He was a passionate entrepreneur who never minced his words. His death marked the end of an era in the company's history. And yet, in a way, the founder lives on. Not just in the company name, but in every handshake that represents a reliable promise. In a working atmosphere of appreciation and camaraderie. And last but not least, in the joy of building. Because that's where LEONHARD WEISS has been at home for 125 years.