Global Fastener News

Bossard Mourns Loss of Chairman

John Wolz

A gunman dressed as a police officer went on a rampage September 27 in the state parliament building in Z�g, Switzerland, killing at least 14 people, including Bossard Holdings AG chairman Peter Bossard.
Bossard, 63, was a regional government minister.
Bossard Holdings is a Z�g-based international supplier of metric fasteners.
�In him, the company loses a personality who devoted himself to the services of the group for 45 years and who played a major role in promoting its international development,� according to an official company statement. �The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and all employees mourn a man whose life was characterized by decency, loyalty and honesty and who always followed his convictions.�\
�Bossard is an important family and name to Z�g,� Ed McIlhon of Iowa Industrial Products Inc. noted. �I can only imagine the feeling of devastation there.�
Swiss officials said the incident did not appear to be related to the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington DC.
Swiss police identified the attacker as 57-year-old Friedrich Leibacher who had a grudge against local officials since a 1998 argument with a bus driver.
�The man strode through the whole floor, shooting at people,� Swiss Telegraphic reporter Dominik Hertach told the Associated Press.
During the rampage Leibacher, a Swiss citizen, demanded a parliament hearing on an appeal he recently filed about a local dispute. Police believe he threw a detonation package that blew off doors, shattered windows and filled the room with smoke. He then shot himself and left a suicide note, Swiss officials said.
Bossard acquired IIP in 1999. Last summer 15 board members, including Peter Bossard, visited Iowa, touring the John Deere tractor factory, seeing the Mississippi River and the Midwest farm country, McIlhon noted.
�He was obviously a caring, happy person,� McIlhon said. �His brother Henry was born on the same day three years later and Peter told us his best birthday gift ever was his brother.�
Heinrich (Henry) Bossard is managing director of the company.
Since the acquisition McIlhon has been to Z�g numerous times. �It is such a peaceful, beautiful community on a lake. It is hard to believe.�
Messages to the family may be sent to: Bossard AG, Steinhauserstr. 70, P.O. Box, CH-6301 Zug, Switzerland. Fax: 41 749 60 21
E-mail: condolences@bossard.com
A memorial service was held in Z�g on Thursday night and another is planned for Monday, October 1, 2001.
�2001 FastenerNews.com