Wilfried Pergande
Creating Solid Solutions
Wilfried Pergande—Entrepreneur and Founder of the Pergande Group
*February 26, 1943, in Duisburg; † September 12, 2023, in Cologne
Wilfried Pergande founded the company in Cologne in 1974, which later became the Pergande Group. As a mechanical engineer, he combined technical expertise with entrepreneurial vision and a willingness to develop his own processes and equipment.
Starting with industrial dust collection technology, he continuously expanded the company. After German reunification, he recognized the potential for equipment manufacturing in Weißandt-Gölzau. The expertise and dedication of the employees there encouraged him to invest in the location and establish his own manufacturing and production capacities.
Combining Research and Entrepreneurship
Wilfried Pergande sought collaboration with the scientific community. Through the University of Magdeburg, he met Mirko Peglow. Their shared interest in fluidized-bed technology gave rise to a long-standing, trusting collaboration.
The regional growth hub WIGRATEC and the InnoProfile early-career research group NaWiTec combined scientific research with concrete industrial challenges. With the establishment of the company’s own Pergande Technology Center (PTC), this collaboration gained a permanent foothold within the company. It played a key role in bringing together research and development, engineering, plant construction, and plant operations within the group.
Professional Career
Year | Position |
|---|---|
1969 | Graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering |
1969 | Held technical and management positions at Walther & Cie, MIKROPUL GmbH, Elba-Werke Ettlingen, and PLUS Maschinenbau GmbH, most recently as Technical Director |
1974 | Founded I. Pergande Environmental Protection, Filter and Process Technology in Cologne |
1976 | Transition to Pergande Gesellschaft für industrielle Entstaubungstechnik mbH |
1991 | Founding of VTA Gesellschaft für Verfahrenstechnik und Apparatebau mbH in Weißandt-Gölzau |
2008 | Founding of IPT-Pergande Gesellschaft für innovative Particle Technology mbH |
2009 | Board Member of the Growth Cluster for Fluidized Bed and Granulation Technology (WIGRATEC) |
Awards
The technological and entrepreneurial development under Wilfried Pergande’s leadership was also recognized with awards:
Year | Award |
|---|---|
2008 | Hugo Junkers Innovation Award |
2009 | Finalist in the “Grand Prize for Medium-Sized Businesses” competition |
2010 | Grand Prize for Medium-Sized Businesses |
A Life’s Work with a Future
Wilfried Pergande laid the foundation for a group of companies that combines in-house technical developments with industrial experience. Long-term investments and close collaboration between employees, academia, and the company characterized his work.
Even after his passing, the Pergande Group remains owner-managed. As sole managing director and co-partner, Mirko Peglow continues to steer the company’s development. The collaboration with the founder, which grew over many years, provides a personal and professional foundation for this.
The company’s mission remains the same: to further develop its own technologies and secure the company’s future through long-term investments.
