One of Sheboygan County’s oldest companies kicked off the celebration of its 150th year in a colorful way on Monday. Framed by blue skies and brilliant white clouds, the south wall of the Vollrath Company, covered in brilliant hues of a soon-to-be finished mural, served as the backdrop for company members, friends, and members of the 6th, 7th and 8th generations of the Vollrath family as they observed September 18th as Founders Day, the anniversary of the company’s beginnings in 1874.
Company President and CEO Eric Lampe served as the master of ceremonies for the Founders Day event, an observance he said served as an important reminder, telling the gathering that “Founders Day is a reminder that Vollrath isn’t just a business; it’s a living testament to the values and aspirations of the collective team that makes up this great company. And I invite you to share that appreciation for what does bind us together with that history, and share the joy of our collective accomplishments.”
The mural he dedicated already covers much of the wall behind him which, when completed, will visually trace the journey of the company. Many of the features already there, including Vollrath’s iconic “Teakettle” water tower, will surround the image of the founder, Jacob Vollrath. The mural’s artist, Jessica Rassel said that “All of these stories join together in front of the sun rising over water. This water represents Vollrath’s global presence, as well as Sheboygan’s iconic lakefront. The vibrant sky is a symbol of optimism for what is to come.
Lampe reminded those attending that the company is a result of the many visionaries, innovators and contributors that created and grew the company from its humble beginnings into a family – and woman owned – company that now has nine factories in the US, Europe and China. The mural and Founders Day represent, as he put it, “the values and aspirations of the collective team that makes up this great company.”
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