Ceremonial inauguration of the Adolf Zimmermann Square

On June 10, 2023, the Stadtgartenfest took place in Osterburken, with beautiful weather, where the Adolf-Zimmermann-Platz was inaugurated as part of a solemn ceremony. Numerous citizens, as well as the Zimmermann family and Mayor Galm, were present. Together, we enjoyed the festive inauguration and remembered the life and work of Adolf Zimmermann, the founder of AZO GmbH & Co. KG.

Adolf Zimmermann led our company, which was established in 1949, together with his wife Marianne for over 40 years.

What began as a small business with only two employees grew into an internationally renowned company with reputable clients. This was largely due to a revolutionary invention by Adolf Zimmermann: the cyclone screener. By the mid-1950s, it opened doors for local bakeries and won them over as customers. The product portfolio quickly expanded to include functions that facilitated the aeration and temperature control of the main ingredient, flour.

In 1963, we moved into a 2,500 m² hall on Rosenberger Straße with 80 employees, which remains our headquarters to this day. Over the years, we continued to expand and establish subsidiaries in the USA, Belgium, France, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the People's Republic of China. Today, we have over 1,000 employees worldwide. This development would not have been possible without the creativity of Adolf Zimmermann combined with the organizational talent of his wife Marianne. However, our founder was not just a successful entrepreneur. He was characterized by his unwavering optimism, determination, creative drive, as well as his reliability and care for his employees. Adolf Zimmermann was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit and was an honorary citizen of the city of Osterburken. Until his passing on March 15, 2013, he continued to follow the development of his company with great interest and actively engaged in the community and local associations of his hometown.

To appropriately honor the founder of our family business, the square in front of the Osterburken Baulandhalle was named "Adolf-Zimmermann-Platz." As a lasting tribute, a sculpture made of shell limestone and stainless steel was created by our employees and unveiled during the inauguration. The mill wheel and sifter machine symbolize the determination and inventiveness of Adolf Zimmermann. As a trained mill builder, he brought his craftsmanship and repaired mills in the surrounding area after the war. The idea for the cyclone screener was conceived in his mind as he observed the time-consuming process of screening flour in the local bakery. The local shell limestone represents his passion for construction.

In his speech during the square's inauguration, Mayor Galm praised the founder, AZO as a company, and the collaboration with the city. Immediately after the solemn inauguration, Mayor Galm performed the beer tapping in the festival tent, officially opening the Stadtgartenfest. Visitors enjoyed the complimentary beer sponsored by us.