Merkel and Obama at Rittal: “This is a fine company!”

2016-04-25. US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel paid tribute to the innovative strength of the family-owned Rittal company during a state visit. In his discussion with the political leaders, Dr. Friedhelm Loh, owner and CEO of the Herborn-based enclosure and system provider, explained the importance of software and data for future industrial production. The new “Blue e+” generation of cooling units, which is setting new standards in terms of energy efficiency, also impressed Obama and Merkel on their tour.

Even the eyes of the world’s most powerful man light up at the sight of high tech. US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were impressed by the development of the medium-sized and family-owned business when they visited the Rittal booth at the 2016 Hanover Fair: Founded 55 years ago, the company has extended its portfolio of products and services that range from standardised enclosures to equipping large data centres. “We are Europe’s number one provider of engineering software, and we want to keep on growing!”, said Owner and CEO Dr. Friedhelm Loh. The US President, who is also representing this year’s partner country of the Hanover Messe, was particularly interested in the new Blue e+ cooling unit series due to its energy efficiency that is unparalleled worldwide. “This is a fine company!”, he commented.

Chancellor Merkel was particularly pleased to learn about the Friedhelm Loh Group’s commitment to up-and-coming talent and waved the huge crowd of trainees that had gathered at the booth. Working at the Hanover Fair booth has been part of the F.L.G’s training program for many years, helping young people to become involved in customer service at an early stage. Chancellor Merkel was also in awe of Rittal’s experience with the integration of refugees into its regular training program – a first in Germany.

Rittal in the United States

Rittal has set ambitious goals for itself in the United States. According to company sources, it plans to double its sales in this important market over the next years. “We have been active in America for over 30 years, and are particularly proud that 85 percent of our products are made in the USA”, stressed Gregg Holst, President of the Rittal Corporation in the United States. Rittal has been present in the land of superlatives since 1982, and has around 750 employees there. Rittal’s US headquarters is in Chicago – for a long time the focal point of the Obama family. And there is something else that connects the global player from Central Hesse with the American President: Both Rittal and Barack Obama saw the light of day in 1961.