Werner Pankoke, died at the age of 85 following a stroke. Born March 29, 1938 as the third child of Bielefeld, Germany dentist Dr. Wilhelm Pankoke, Werner decided not to follow in his father’s footsteps when he began his studies. Instead, he was drawn to Munich Technical University, where he pursued his grandfather Theodor Hymmen’s engineering interests—studying mechanical engineering.

After graduating with a degree in engineering and a doctorate in business administration, Dr. Werner 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. 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 (IWF) in Atlanta, Ga.

Pankoke, father of two and grandfather of six, retired from the family business in 2002 when he handed over the management of the company to his son Dr. René Pankoke, now the fourth generation to successfully run the Hymmen company. Since then, Pankoke has devoted himself to his private interests together with his wife and constant companion Dr. Christa Pankoke.

Former and current employees of Hymmen hold Pankoke in high esteem, and with great gratitude for a fulfilled life together, the family will say goodbye in a small circle.

“For example, the steam needed in the production process of Kerto LVL will be produced at the Äänekoski bioproduct mill, and the condensate generated in the process will be utilized for heating the building. It is great to be involved in designing a resource-efficient production plant whose material-efficient wood products store carbon and reduce the carbon footprint of construction,” says Tuulamari Helaja, Business Unit Director, Industry and Energy, Sweco Finland.

Construction of the Kerto LVL mill in Äänekoski has progressed according to plan. Land construction works and the main frame installations are currently underway in the area.

The mill will have an annual production capacity of around 160,000 cubic metres of Kerto LVL and is expected to start production in the second half of 2026.

Stefan Wissing, CEO, Siempelkamp Logistics & Service Business Unit, says, “By combining the business volumes of KüstersPress and ContiPress in Sunds Fibertech we will secure a strong long-term support for these presses. We are convinced that Sunds Fibertech’s focus will ensure the best support and solution for the customers.”

“With this acquisition we will strengthen our position as a strategic partner to our customers and we will be able to offer a much wider service portfolio. Our team in Germany will be a good combination of several experts who have been part of the Küsters journey from the very beginning and the next generation of press experts. The new technology center will count about 2000  m² including offices, a customized workshop and the logistics center,” adds Lars Eklund, CEO, Sunds Fibertech.

“The team has worked diligently every day; however, a combination of challenges, including required future investments and overall profitability, has led to this decision,” says Chris Seymour, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Operations. “It was a difficult and unfortunate decision, but after evaluating a number of factors over the past year, it is not feasible to continue operating at an efficient level.

“We understand the impact that this shutdown has on our employees and their families,” Seymour adds. “We are communicating about job opportunities within the company as well as resources that are available to assist them.”