Internationale Martin Luther Stiftung

The daily Luther

28th March

And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

Interpretation of Martin Luther ...

Dietrich Pestalozzi - winner of the Luther Rose 2014

On 17th November 2014 in the Grossmünster in Zurich, the LutherRose 2014 for social responsibility and entrepreneurial courage was awarded to Dietrich Pestalozzi, president of Pestalozzi + Co AG, a Swiss company which has been in the steel business for over 250 years. During its 7th business conference, the International Martin Luther Foundation (IMLS) presented the award in recognition of a person who “…with his life and professional work has applied the Reformatory traditions of Freedom with Responsibility for the benefit of the community as a whole in an exemplary manner…

The ceremonial speech was made by Moritz Leuenberger a former member of the Swiss Federal Council (or Swiss government). In referring to the awardee Dietrich Pestalozzi he stated “Inheriting a family business brings responsibility. Those who appreciate this, honour their privilege and thereby earn a LutherRose

In his acceptance speech the recipient of the LutherRose Dietrich Pestalozzi  emphasised that he understood that his entrepreneurial activities were also in the service of the community. “Through the commitment of many people – both in the company and outside of it – something worthwhile can develop.”

The minister-president of Thuringia Christine Lieberknecht highlighted the fact that the roots of the modern social market economy started with the reformers Luther, Zwingli and Calvin and that their ideas were adopted and further developed by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and other Germans who resisted the Nazis. She saw Dietrich Pestalozzi as somebody who follows this tradition: “With Swiss charm he combines the virtues of freedom and responsibility with his business, social and church activities. This is what the International Martin Luther Stiftung terms as <EntrepreneurialCourage> and it describes this life style precisely.

Dietrich Pestalozzi, born in 1949, began working for the family business Pestalozzi + Co AG, Dietikon/Zurich in 1975 after studying business administration at the University of St. Gallen. Having been co-owner (50%) of the company since 1988, Pestalozzi has been the sole shareholder as well as Chairman and Delegate of the Board of Directors (CEO) since 2000. Founded in 1763, the wholesale company for the metalworking and construction-related industries celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2013. It currently employs around 300 people. The married father of one daughter and three sons is also involved as President of the Dietikon Industrial and Trade Association. At the end of September 2014, Dietrich Pestalozzi handed over the management of Pestalozzi + Co AG to his son Matthias. However, Dietrich Pestalozzi will remain with the family business as Chairman of the Board of Directors.