In 2023, Festo South Africa marked its impressive 50th anniversary, a significant milestone in its ongoing journey of innovation and excellence. 2025 marks the 100th year since Festo was first established in Germany in April 1925. The festivities to celebrate 100 years of groundbreaking technology, commitment, and enduring partnerships has officially begun. To kick off this historic milestone celebration, their Customer Innovation Day and ThankYou Party series began in South Africa, honoured with special events that brought together customers, partners, and employees to reflect on their journey and look ahead to an exciting future.
The festivities began with an exceptional customer event, where attendees explored Festo’s latest electrical, pneumatic, and process automation innovations through interactive product display stands. Festo South Africa’s industry experts led targeted training sessions, providing valuable insights and reaffirming Festo‘s commitment to keeping customers at the forefront of technological advancements. With almost 100 customers participating, the event highlighted the deep trust and long-standing partnerships that define Festo.
Dr Ulrich Stoll, a member of the founding family and deputy chairman of the Supervisory Board, reaffirmed Festo’s enduring presence and dedication, stating, “I believe long-term relationships and commitment are important, and customers can trust my word that Festo will be in existence for the next 10-plus years.” Mr Frank Notz, a member of the Management Board, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the power of collaboration: “Festo is the result of the work of many hands, and we have embraced this for the past 100 years, and we will embrace this for the next 100 years.”
The second day of celebrations was dedicated to the heart of Festo - their employees. Nearly 100 colleagues from four of Festo South Africa’s locations gathered in Johannesburg for a staff Thank You party filled with camaraderie and cultural appreciation. The event honoured the strong German-South African connection with a vibrant programme that included traditional cuisine and exciting performances. Mr Brett Wallace, the managing director of Festo South Africa, shared, “We aimed to honour and celebrate our company’s German heritage while incorporating local influences to reflect the diverse spirit of Festo South Africa, blending the roots that define us with the vibrant culture and values that make Festo truly unique.”
A key highlight was the ceremonial sharing of Umqombothi, a traditional South African beer which was a powerful symbol of unity, heritage and gratitude to those who have played a pivotal role in Festo’s success. The celebrations continued with an electrifying German line dance, which captivated the audience and filled the room with energy and applause.
Reflecting on this incredible milestone, Festo South Africa takes pride in the past 100 years of innovation and looks forward to the next century of excellence. Here’s to another 100 years of shaping the future of automation together!
Cheers to a century of innovation, collaboration and success!
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