Interprint celebrates 50th anniversary

As a specialist in decorative paper, Interprint is an expert in making something look good. However, the celebration of the 50-year anniversary, to which the décor printer in Arnsberg invited all its local employees and their family members, had more than the wonderful scenery of the beautiful Lake Sorpe in Langscheid. It was above all the family mood that showed: Something special is being celebrated here. White tents skirted the shoreline of Lake Sorpe when the first guests arrived on Saturday afternoon. Not even the cool autumn temperatures and the changeable weather could affect the good mood of the about 540 adults and 100 children.

"Without our employees and their supporting partners or family members, Interprint would not be what it is today: one of the internationally leading décor printers in the sector. We want to thank you for that today," said Thomas Wrede in his welcoming speech. The director of the Wrede Stiftung foundation is the chairman of the advisory board of Wrede Industrieholding, the (to-date) parent company of Interprint.

The afternoon was then also very much a family party: Refreshments were provided for the entire day, tasty snacks waited just like coffee and cake. The numerous children romped about in the Bouncing Castle, had fun with make-up and let themselves be thrilled with balloon twisting, in the mobile game centre and by a magician.

The highlight for all: the provided pedal boats on Lake Sorpe that invited the guests to a view of the party from the water. The only important thing then was to get back in time for the raffle because of the exciting prizes contributed by Interprint and suppliers, including tickets for a BVB football team match, travel vouchers and even a TV for the lucky winners.

The diverse programme of the day also included an international guest of honour: Hideo Yoshikawa was invited as CEO of Toppan Europe GmbH and gave a speech to the new colleagues because the Toppan Group Japan will be the new owner of Interprint. Yoshikawa congratulated Interprint on its anniversary and also said: "We can hopefully start our joint co-operation shortly so that the next generation can celebrate the 100th anniversary of Interprint with just as much joy. We have a lot to do in the next 50 years – I look forward to that! It is an honour for me to be allowed to be here today.

Frank Reuther from Interprint's Works Council held a speech,  in which he suitably quoted Ninomiya Sontoku, who is highly esteemed in Japan: "If you want to accomplish something great, you should not forget to pay attention to the small things. Because the great will arise from the accumulation of small things." How that particularly applies to Interprint became evident when he talked about the company's history, which started with 7 employees 50 years ago – whereas today more than 380 employees at the Arnsberg location alone and even 1,300 worldwide do their best every day.

Holger Dzeia, CSO of Interprint, also proudly looked back on the past and gladly looks ahead into the future: "After 50 years of Interprint as a family-owned company, a new era is beginning because Interprint will be a part of the Japanese Toppan Group. With this Group, we have had a decade-long business relationship that is based exactly on our values – mutual fairness, respect and sense of decency. That is the basis for a jointly successful company history that will hopefully also continue for a minimum of 50 years."

Ralf Paul Bittner, Mayor of the Arnsberg town, ended the official part with the moving words: "50 years of Interprint – that definitely stands for half a century full of innovations and passion, ties to one's roots und globality, success and growth and last but not least: a good working relationship and coexistence."

How that working relationship and coexistence exactly looks could be seen after the evening meal: the guests stayed sitting or standing together for a long time, as is expected from the Interprint family, until midnight.