Aluminium Rheinfelden announced the death of its founder and partner Dr. Alois Franke who passed away a few days ago at the age of 78 following a prolonged illness. Dr. Franke had entrusted the management of the company to his daughter Erika Zender.
„We all, family and company, are distressed by the news of the death of our father and company founder. Dr Franke has rendered great services to Aluminium Rheinfelden, transforming the company into an internationally renowned solution provider for speciality alloys, semi-finished products and Soderberg masses. For this we owe him our recognition and deep gratitude. We will make every effort to build upon the accomplishments of our founder and to lead Aluminium Rheinfelden into a prosperous future,” said Erika Zender – Managing Director – on behalf of the family and workforce.
At the age of 53 in 1993, Dr. Franke purchased the promising parts of the business of the struggling Alusuisse – raw materials processing with speciality alloys, semi-finished products and Soderberg pastes – and founded Aluminium Rheinfelden, saving 300 jobs in the process. Since then, Aluminium Rheinfelden has evolved into a leading solution provider in the aluminium industry thanks to its innovative alloys.
“The knowledge of aluminium and carbon as raw materials that we have established in our business is arguably unique throughout the world,” explains Erika Zender.
The new managing team under the leadership of Erika Zender plans to build on Dr. Franke’s success and utilise further the potential of aluminium where it is often preferred to steel or plastic.
Aluminium Rheinfelden Group – a FACE member – is based in the German industrial region of Baden, where the first aluminium smelter in Germany was established. The company operates in three business segments – alloys, semis, and carbon.
Mourners can express their compassion in the digital book of condolences at www.alurheinfelden.com.