Farewell to entrepreneur Dr. Werner Pankoke after a fulfilled life in the style of a hidden champion.
Werner Pankoke, who was born on 29 March 1938 as the third child of Bielefeld dentist Dr. Wilhelm Pankoke, decided not to follow in his father’s footsteps when he began his studies. Instead, he was drawn to Munich Technical University, where he pursued his grandfather Theodor Hymmen’s engineering interests by successfully studying mechanical engineering.
After graduating with a degree in engineering and a doctorate in business administration, Dr. Werner Pankoke took over the management of the Hymmen family business in 1967. The mechanical and plant engineering company had been founded by his grandfather in Bielefeld in 1892. Dr. Werner Pankoke succeeded in establishing the company worldwide as an indispensable technology partner in the wood-based materials industry with the development of the continuous double belt press.
The entrepreneur generally worked in a secluded manner. Irrespective of this, he was recognized for his entrepreneurial activities by Prof. Hermann Simon’s “Hidden Champion” award and by winning the “Challengers Award” at the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta, USA.
Dr. Werner Pankoke, father of two and grandfather of six, retired from the family business in 2002 when he handed over the management of the company to his son Dr. René Pankoke. He is now the fourth generation to run the Hymmen company successfully. Since then, Dr. Werner Pankoke has devoted himself to his private interests together with his wife and constant companion Dr. Christa Pankoke.
Werner Pankoke passed away at the age of 85 following a stroke. The former and current employees of Hymmen hold him in high esteem.

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