Founder of ebm-papst and entrepreneur Gerhard Sturm celebrates his 80th birthday today (17 December).

As one of the pioneers in fans, over five decades Gerhard Sturm led ebm-papst from its beginnings as a small company with 35 employees, to become a world leader. Thanks to his visionary leadership, the fan specialist now employs around 12,000 people worldwide and generates sales of more than €1.5 billion.

The third of five children, Gerhard Sturm was born in the South German town of Künzelsau in 1934 and took an interest in technology and physics at an early age. At the age of 14 he studied to become a machine fitter and later moved to the fan manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg. After earning his master's certificate, Mr Sturm was appointed assistant operations manager and in 1960 became head of production for external rotor motors, where he recognised that the external rotor motor is ideally suited as a fan drive for a variety of applications. That insight changed his life and also influenced the history of ebm-papst and a number of neighbouring companies and suppliers.

In 1963, together with his friend and mentor, Heinz Ziehl, he founded the present-day ebm-papst Group, which he led as managing partner until his departure from business operations in 2007. Since then, Mr Sturm has supported the company as chairman of the advisory board.

He has received numerous honours for his social commitment and his business activities, including Germany's Order of Merit, Baden-Württemberg's Medal of Merit, the Medal of Honour bestowed by the region of Hohenlohe and the Diesel Medal, the highest distinction for inventors.

Mr Sturm will celebrate his birthday in the Stauseehalle in Mulfingen with his family and guests from politics, business and the workforce.