Archive for category: Lacroix + Kress

A contribution by Jan Haß:

Erasmus + Internship Abroad as part of the apprenticeship to become a materials tester at Lacroix + Kress GmbH

As part of my apprenticeship to become a materials tester at Lacroix + Kress, I had the opportunity to complete an Erasmus+ internship abroad. This is also possible in other apprentices and is highly recommended. The requirements for this are having completed the intermediate examination, sufficient good grades, applying with a motivational letter and CV, and the approval of the company. The whole process is organized through the vocational school, in my case the BBS Brinkstraße. They have partner schools in various countries that also participate in the Erasmus+ program and are in contact with the companies that offer the internship positions.

Everything happened much faster than expected, my application for a six-week internship in Vigo was accepted, flights as well as accommodation were booked, and my classmate and I landed in Porto. During the bus ride to Vigo, we already had great impressions of the enchanting landscape in Portugal and Spain. We stayed together in a holiday apartment in the center of Vigo, a metropolis with almost half a million inhabitants, on the Atlantic coast of Spain. The city itself impresses with elaborate murals on many buildings, beautiful beaches (especially on the Islas Cíes, see photo), interesting restaurants with great culinary offerings, and nice bars.

We were engaged at the AIMEN Technological Center, a company located about 25 kilometers south of Vigo that conducts tests for other companies. The customers come from various industries such as the automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace industries. There we spent three weeks in each department and then swapped: I was first in the department for metallography and corrosion testing, where I was able to learn many testing methods that I was not previously familiar with from the everyday copper wire industry. I also worked with materials that I usually do not test, such as steels, aluminum, nickel alloys, as well as solid and liquid plastics. The other department was for mechanical testing, where I was able to learn methods that I had never performed before, such as fatigue, bending, and fracture tests. Personally, I found one test setup particularly interesting, in which a tensile test was conducted on a tow hook or rather car bumpers.

Furthermore, I was able to deepen my existing skills in both departments. Aside from professional development, I also enjoyed the Spanish culture, which shines with hospitality and calmness. The latter was particularly evident when there was a power outage across the entire Iberian Peninsula on April 28, 2025; this situation was handled with a calmness that would not be conceivable in Germany, where there was neither chaos on the streets nor panic among the population, and everything in the supermarkets remained orderly.

In summary, I would like to give a clear recommendation for this offer and thank the school and the company for the opportunity not only to further my professional education but also to gain insight into a country and culture that were previously unfamiliar to me – an opportunity that will not come again soon.

On Saturday, May 24, 2025, three engaged employees – Klaus Hartl, Wolfgang Elsner, and Jürgen Danner – participated in the Schwandorf District Running. In the men’s walking category, the trio achieved an impressive 9th place. They took nearly 2.5 hours to complete the approximately 18-kilometer route, which started in Münchshofen and led through Katzdorf to […]

Future Day at Lacroix + Kress – A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Copper Wire Production

On April 3, 2025, the annual Future Day took place at Lacroix + Kress, where students from grades 6 to 8 received an exciting insight into the world of copper wire production. The day was specifically designed to provide children with practical experiences and to introduce them to various career fields and areas of activity within the company. The five students were able to learn about the vocational training professions of industrial mechanics, materials testers, electronics technicians, and industrial clerks (m/f/d).

The children were allowed to participate in several interactive stations. A highlight was the factory tour through the dipping mill and wire drawing installations, where the students experienced first-hand how fine wires are made from copper plates.

Another important part of the day was the visit to maintenance and quality assurance. They learned how important it is for production to run smoothly and that the quality of the products is always guaranteed. The children found it particularly exciting to work with wire and solve small tasks themselves. The crafting of a small solar model, where the children could playfully learn about renewable energies and their application, was particularly enjoyed by the students.

The visit to sales and distribution gave the children a comprehensive overview of the various areas of the company that go far beyond production. They found out how Lacroix + Kress interacts with its customers and what role sales plays in marketing the produced wires. The students also got to know our products better, which are used every day all over the world.

The feedback from the participants was consistently positive. Especially the factory tours and the practical activities at the various stations were very well received. The students had the opportunity to learn through their own actions and experiments, which made the day an unforgettable experience.

We are pleased to give young people an insight into the world of technology and production and to promote interest in technical and commercial professions. The Future Day was a great success – and we hope to welcome many curious students again next year!

From back left: Jörg Hupfeld, Johann Meier, Harald Rumm, Johann Götz, Josef Bockes

From front left: Svenja Meßbauer, Johann Balk, Josef Seebauer, Klaus Hartl

Lacroix + Kress bids farewell to employees for their well-deserved retirement!

As part of a celebration at Gasthof Sporrer, Svenja Meßbauer (Head of Human Resources), Jörg Hupfeld (Plant Manager) and the chairmen of the works councils Gabriele Eichhorn (unfortunately not pictured) and Klaus Hartl (Chairman of the Works Council), bids farewell to long-standing employees who left Lacroix + Kress in 2023 and 2024, in the retirement.

The pensioners were looking forward to a reunion and a lively exchange with their former colleagues, and of course also to a farewell bouquet of flowers and a gift basket.

We would like to thank our pensioners for the stimulating evening with many funny episodes from past years and wish them all the best and above all the best health in the new phase of their lives!

Unfortunately, the retirees Edward Martinez and Karl Stengl as well as the jubilarians Stefan Plecher (25 years of service), Günter Böhm (40 years of service) and Rudolf Leitl (40 years of service) were unable to attend.