Pioneer of PCD tools passes away
Mapal Group mourns the death of Werner Stief
The Mapal Group mourns the loss of Werner Stief. The company founder of WWS Werner Stief GmbH, today's Mapal competence center for PCD tools in Pforzheim, died at the age of 75.
For over 30 years, Werner Stief determined the fortunes of Mapal WWS. Werner Stief built up the company from nothing. He was a pioneer in this field. He recognized the potential of PCD (polycrystalline diamond) for industrial metalworking at an early stage. He worked with great dedication on the further development of the new diamond cutting material and the tools equipped with it. The Mapal competence center for PCD tools is currently the world's largest manufacturer of these tools and the market leader in its field. In 2010, Stief retired and withdrew from the management of Mapal WWS.
Werner Stief attached great importance to a family atmosphere in the company, strengthened cohesion and stood up for his employees. Dr. Dieter Kress remembers Werner Stief as a visionary in the field of PCD tools: "The cooperation with Werner Stief after the majority takeover of Mapal WWS in 1994 was always very trusting and enriching." Dr. Jochen Kress, Managing Partner of the Mapal Group, also looks back on Werner Stief's life's work with great respect and is saddened by his death: "Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family."
In 1998, Werner Stief was awarded the Business Medal of the State of Baden-Württemberg for his services and entrepreneurial achievements. Werner Stief spent his last years in Pforzheim. He passed away on April 9, 2018. kp









