Investing in future generations

Whenever something new came along, Ulrich Weiss was the first to see it. You have to hand it to him.

Fritz Hofacker, former foreman in the mechanical engineering department

History

Milestones

1959

Black-and-white photo of a tamping machine for track construction with covered control stand and visible mechanical details

The first tamping machine in the south-west

In 1959, LEONHARD WEISS took efficiency in track construction to a new level with the introduction of the first tamping machine, the VKR 03. Since then, the ideas of our employees have continuously contributed to technical developments that have continuously improved the company.

1950er / 1960er

Black-and-white photo of road construction work around 1957: workers spreading gravel from a tipping lorry onto the road

Guests who became colleagues

In the 1950s and 1960s, LEONHARD WEISS overcame a shortage of labour by mechanising and employing "guest workers". Diversity becomes part of our corporate identity.

1972

Colour photo of a training group in a workshop, surrounded by wooden models and training materials

The birth of modern training at LEONHARD WEISS

The "new" training at LEONHARD WEISS in accordance with the recently introduced dual training system began in the 1970s with the first road construction apprentice. The company prioritised apprenticeship over economic thinking, leadership and cooperation at eye level. These have been the key success factors for over 50 years of training at LEONHARD WEISS.

The founder's grandson on mechanisation

Colour photo of a group of trainees and employees in front of the LEONHARD WEISS supply centre in Satteldorf

Training as a pillar for the future

Without its young trainees, LEONHARD WEISS would not be what it is today. The fact that trainees could become the experts and managers of tomorrow was recognised early on: when the company was founded, Leonhard Weiß also started to train people in the various construction areas and promote expertise. In 1972, the family business began training apprentices in accordance with official legal requirements and continues to invest heavily in the opportunities and optimal framework conditions for its new recruits to this day.

Werner Schmidt-Weiss stands smiling behind a lectern, wearing a suit and colourful tie

The main focus was to make sure that everyone had business every day. That was the first concern, and the second was not to go bankrupt. And we took a very hard line on that, just as the generation before us had done, and the generations after us will probably do as well.

Quote from Werner Schmidt-Weiss on the main tasks of the third generation of the family business