BIELEFELD, Germany – Dr. Werner Pankoke, the owner of Hymmen GmbH, the manufacturer of Industrial digital printing systems, laminating presses, and other industrial equipment, died Dec. 15 at age 85 after suffering a stroke a week earlier. 

According to a company announcement, Pankoke was born on March 29, 1938, as the third child of Bielefeld dentist Dr. Wilhelm Pankoke. He decided not to follow in his father's footsteps and instead attended Munich Technical University, where he pursued his grandfather Theodor Hymmen's engineering interests by studying mechanical engineering. 

After graduating with a degree in engineering and a doctorate in business administration, 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. 

Dr. Pankoke, father of two and grandfather of six, retired from the family business in 2002 when he handed over the company management to his son Dr. René Pankoke. He is now the fourth generation to run the Hymmen company successfully. 

Since then, Pankoke has devoted himself to his private interests together with his wife Dr. Christa Pankoke. 

The previous Saturday, Dec. 9, died at the age of 85 following a stroke. “The former and current employees of Hymmen hold him in high esteem,” the statement read. “With great gratitude for a fulfilled life together, the family will say goodbye in a small circle.”