Peter Synek Retires from VDMA

17 Jun 2021

Many BFPA technical committee members will know Peter Synek, who has announced his retirement from the VDMA in May 2021. BFPA has received the email below from Peter which we would like to share with those who know him. All of us at the BFPA wish Peter a very healthy and happy retirement.

Thank you and au revoir

For a long time I didn’t think about this time, about what happens when professional life comes to an end. Inevitably, you look back and review the time.

My professional life is a classic path that is probably rare today. After completing my studies in mechanical engineering, my first job was in industry. After a good 5 ½ years, I joined the VDMA, the then Oil Hydraulics and Pneumatics Association, now the Fluid Power Association, and have remained there until today, over 35 years. That sounds unspectacular at first, but it definitely wasn’t!

Asking questions to which one did not yet have the answers, generating ideas, planning projects, realising the implementation with partners, that was what I found so appealing about my job. This presupposes that you have the freedom and the creative possibilities, and I was given these at the VDMA.

The personal motivation over the entire period was the combination of working with people and technology.

I would like to thank you very much for working with me on a wide variety of topics, for your support, for your advice, for the exchange of experiences, for your opinions and also for shared experiences, for example at trade fairs, project-related meetings and various business trips.

I am not afraid that I will miss the daily pressure in connection with new challenges. I will certainly reduce the professional pace to the new opportunities and freedoms as a private person. Many hobbies, for example photography, wrenching on my two vintage cars and supporting the activities of my two sons are waiting for me. There is also Leonard, the grandson.

Retirement is certainly a decisive turning point. Something is over so that something new can begin.

I hope to enjoy many, many days in good health as a retiree.

In this sense, thank you once again and best regards

Peter-Michael Synek
May 2021

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