The news of the death of the popular founding father, who was highly committed to the end, has moved REHAU employees around the globe.

'The great sympathy for the passing of our father comes from many regions of the world. We are very touched by this as a family,' says Jobst Wagner, president of the supervisory board.

'We will honour the memory of Helmut Wagner by resolutely continuing his impressive work. His entrepreneurial spirit will continue to guide us in the future,' says Mr Jobst Wagner said.

Helmut Wagner has been shaping the world of plastics since 1948. The founding of the company in the city of Rehau, Upper Franconia, Germany, marked the beginning of the manufacture of products made of polymer materials and thus the success story of a family-owned company.

After five decades, Helmut Wagner handed over the management of the corporation to his sons in 2000. Jobst Wagner became chairman of the supervisory board and Dr Veit Wagner became vice chairman. The third generation are already active in shaping the business. In 2015, Rehau city council paid a special tribute to Helmut Wagner who was appointed the first honorary citizen since the end of the Second World War.

Today, REHAU has 20,000 employees at more than 170 locations worldwide.

“We owe this in particular to the vision and courage of Helmut Wagner,' says William Christensen, chief executive of the REHAU Group.'