The outgoing founder can tell a story of success, but he did not need to do that on 1st April.  Instead, several guest speakers spoke about the successful history of the company – whose number of employees has grown to 150  and which has gained a strong position on the world markets.

The mayor of Herzogenaurach, German Hacker, for example, described the move of VIPA from Erlangen to Herzogenauch as a stroke of luck for his city. The company started three decades ago with four desks in a rented flat in Hofmann street in Erlangen, they then moved into the founder center and from there into Ohm street in Herzogenaurach. Meanwhile VIPA operates in two buildings and is planning to move its neighbor and sub-tenant Proleit out from their two floors in the VIPA building.

All in the spirit of friendship, however, as Wolfgang Seel and the Proleit head Wolfgang Ebster have known each other for a long time, as they were fellow students and partners, when they started “to write programs like crazy” (Seel) in the above-mentioned Hofmann street flat. And soon Seel will build a rental office building, confirmed by the mayor, in the Ringstreet on the site of the car dealers Wormser.

VIPA and the subsidiary company Profichip have been a part of the Japanese robotics and drive technology holding Yaskawa for a few years. This is a good situation, because as Bob Linkenbach said the large concern has guaranteed its subsidiary in Herzogenaurach the greatest possible independence. This means there is no problem with its location and is therefore very good for the administrative district, says Christian Pech, deputy District Administrator.
The staff and around 600 guests celebrated with an appropriate party. Wolfgang Seel received a BMW driving training course in Namibia as a farewell present from the staff.

The celebration took place in the rotunda of the VIPA building. Here Wolfgang Seel gave thanks to the employees.