Dr Thomas Cord (54), Managing Director of Loesch Verpackungstechnik GmbHin Altendorf/Germany, died suddenly and unexpectedly on 29 October 2019. The experienced computer scientist had headed up the packaging machine manufacturer since August 2017 and was a major contributor to the company’s success. The management and staff at LoeschPack and Piepenbrock Group mourn the loss of a great man and colleague.

Dr Thomas Cord began his career at the prestigious Research Center for Information Technology in Karlsruhe/Germany. After completing a degree in IT, he became head of the Research & Development Department there, working on projects relating to robotics and automation in machinery engineering. He went on to complete a PhD on the subject of “Absolute Localisation of Mobile Robots”. In 1998, Dr Cord joined Elau, a manufacturer of automation solutions for the packaging industry, where he was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2005. From 2010, he was CEO of Lenze Automation GmbH.

Dr Thomas Cord was appointed Managing Director of Loesch Verpackungstechnik GmbH on 1 August 2017. His enthusiasm, expertise, and great personal dedication all contributed significantly to the company’s success. He was known and appreciated by business partners and customers for his pleasant and likeable manner, his sense of responsibility, and his determination to get things done. With Dr Cord, the recently launched advisory board of the trade magazine Sweets Processing loses a valued member.