Schmitz Cargobull owner Peter Schmitz dies
Peter Schmitz, the owner and former chairman of semi-trailer manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull AG, has died at the age of 84.
In a statement, Schmitz Cargobull said Mr Schmitz passed away on 9th November in his home town of Altenberge, Germany, and described him as a “visionary and constructive mastermind”.
Schmitz Cargobull’s statement in full:
The Supervisory Board, Executive Board and employees of Schmitz Cargobull AG mourn the loss of Peter Schmitz, who died on 9 November at the age of 84 in his home town of Altenberge in German.
As a graduate engineer specialising in vehicle construction, Peter Schmitz joined the then Schmitz-Anhänger GmbH & CO. KG as Managing Director in 1973, representing the third generation of the entrepreneurial family. After its transformation into a public limited company in 1998, Peter Schmitz managed the company as Chairman of the Management Board until 2003. From 2003 to 2013, he was responsible for the company’s development as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. He was reappointed to the Supervisory Board from 2017 to 2019.
Continuing the family tradition, Peter Schmitz’s name stands for innovation, quality, and customer-centred solutions. With his spirit of technical innovation and commitment to continuous improvement, he has played a key role in constantly expanding Schmitz Cargobull’s position as a technology and market leader for trailers. Around two dozen patents in trailer and semi-trailer construction speak for his technical expertise.
One of his most revolutionary innovations is the invention of the FERROPLAST insulating panel, which forms the basis for Schmitz Cargobull’s market leadership in refrigerated vehicle construction. Following his strategy of “growth through renunciation”, he spearheaded major restructuring measures at the Altenberge and Vreden production plants in the 1990s with great professionalism.
Peter Schmitz will be remembered as a visionary and constructive mastermind who created the technical foundations for customer-orientated solutions with his innovative and quality-driven ideas. With his knowledge and commitment, he made Schmitz Cargobull a leading company in the industry.
Peter Schmitz always had an open ear for employees and customers and was close to the daily business. His company principles, his striving for constant improvement and progress, as well as his friendliness and approachability, will never be forgotten.
Our deepest sympathies go to his family. The memory of Peter Schmitz will live on in the Schmitz Cargobull family.