Alfred H. Schenkmann, founding partner and co-eponym of Schenkmann & Piel Verfahrenstechnik GmbH & Co. KG, passed away on April 12, 2024, at the age of 87. From its foundation in 1977 until his retirement on November 1, 2001, Schenkmann was Managing Director of Schenkmann & Piel Verfahrenstechnik in Leverkusen for 24 years. Even after the takeover by DIEFFENBACHER in 2003, he remained closely associated with the company and was always available to provide wise counsel.
Schenkmann traveled to more than 80 countries during his career, making connections in the global wood-based panels industry and becoming an expert respected worldwide. In 1997, he was inducted into the Wood Composites Hall of Fame at Washington State University, an honor he shared with industry giants and wood-based panel pioneers such as Wilhelm Klauditz and Fred Fahrni.
“In addition to his entrepreneurial and inventive spirit, Alfred Schenkmann was particularly valued by his employees for his knowledge and helpfulness as well as his tireless commitment to the company,” recalled Wolfgang Allerödder, Head of the Environmental Technology and Gluing Product Group at DIEFFENBACHER in Leverkusen, who worked under Alfred Schenkmann as a student. “To this day, I still benefit from the contacts I made through him,” Allerödder said.
“Alfred Schenkmann was a cheerful Rhineland character and instantly popular with everyone. Wherever he went, he was always held in the highest esteem,” reminisced his long-time companion and former DIEFFENBACHER CEO Wolf-Gerd Dieffenbacher. “In Alfred H. Schenkmann, DIEFFENBACHER has lost a universally respected advisor, and the global wood-based panels industry has lost one of its pioneers. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, to whom I would like to express our deepest sympathy on behalf of the entire company.”
