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01.07.2024 Press release: Summer tour of the Thuringian Minister President - Bodo Ramelow visits PIKO in Sonneberg

About a week after the 13th "Open Day" at PIKO (22.06.2024), which was celebrated under the sign of the 75th anniversary of PIKO, the next special event was already on the agenda at PIKO on 01 July: The long-established company had the great honour of welcoming Thuringia's Minister President Bodo Ramelow. PIKO Spielwaren GmbH in Sonneberg is one of a total of 40 stops visited by the Minister President between 24 June and 5 July as part of his annual summer tour.

Mr Ramelow was accompanied on this visit by staff from the Thuringian State Chancellery, members of the Thuringian State Parliament and political officials and dignitaries from the Sonneberg region.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by Dr René F. Wilfer, Managing Partner of PIKO Spielwaren GmbH, and the three Managing Directors Mr Jens Beyer, Head of Sales, Mr Günther Heilmann, Technical Director, and Mr Matthias Fröhlich, Head of Product Management and Marketing.

Afterwards, there was a lively exchange in which, among other things, questions from employees were discussed. Other topics on the agenda included PIKO as a traditional company and employer in the region, the development of the Sonneberg site and the production of model railway products.

Following this interesting round of talks, the Minister President and his companions took part in a guided tour of the production facility. There they were able to gain exciting insights into the production and assembly of PIKO garden railway models. While the small track sizes (H0, N and TT) are produced in PIKO's own factory in Chashan, China, the "big ones among the small ones" are manufactured entirely in Sonneberg - from plastic injection moulding, painting and printing to assembly and packaging. The Sonneberg site is also home to the design department, electronics development, central administration and the model railway manufacturer's global logistics centre.

Finally, the delegation led by Minister President Bodo Ramelow visited the PIKO flagship store, which will open in May 2023. In the bright, modernly furnished premises, a brief exchange took place once again. As a special memento of the visit, Dr Wilfer presented Mr Ramelow with a personalised trolley and "The PIKO Book" with a personal dedication. Finally, the ladies and gentlemen said goodbye and made their way to the next stop on the summer tour.

Sonneberg, 01.07.2024