500 Years of Service – Umicore and Saxonia Celebrate Their Long-Serving Employees

Typewriters, fountain pens, index cards, hanging file folders, and carbon-copy forms—these were the standard tools of the trade for those who began their commercial training 40 years ago. Since then, the world of work has changed dramatically, and today’s workday bears little resemblance to what it used to be. This made it all the more special for the 16 employees celebrating their anniversaries at Umicore and Saxonia to look back on their 25- and 40-year careers and reminisce during a joint celebration.

Nine colleagues celebrated their 25th anniversary, and seven even their 40th. In total, the combined tenure of all the employees celebrating their anniversaries exceeds 500 years. Together with the management teams of both companies, works council members, and family members, the employees celebrated their anniversaries in a festive setting, looking back on the past decades. Numerous photos from the 70s, 80s, and 90s brought back memories for the employees and often led to laughter.

“The fact that half a millennium of knowledge and experience is gathered here today makes me proud,” said Dr. Bernhard Fuchs, CEO of Umicore AG & Co. KG. “Without our employees, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Amid all the changes the working world brings, I am very pleased to see this sign of continuity. “A big thank you to you all for your contribution to the company’s success,” Fuchs said, thanking the honorees and presenting them with Umicore gold bars in recognition of their service.

The two companies, Umicore and Saxonia, share a common history at the Hanau site, as Saxonia recently acquired a business unit from Umicore. “We wanted to give the employees celebrating their anniversaries—who have been colleagues for decades—the opportunity to continue celebrating together. This was very well received by everyone, and we are delighted to honor these important anniversaries in a large gathering,” said Torsten Warwas, Managing Director of Saxonia Technical Materials GmbH.

Caption: 16 employees from Umicore and Saxonia celebrate a combined total of over 500 years of service.