Thomas Lippold of Dreieich Awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
German Merit Award Honors Thomas Lippold for Decades of Craft Advocacy
Thomas Lippold from Dreieich has been honored with the Cross of the Order of Merit on Ribbon of the Federal Republic of Germany. District Administrator Oliver Quilling presented the award on Tuesday in the Winter Refectory of the RegioMuseum in Seligenstadt, recognizing Lippold's decades of voluntary commitment to the skilled trades in the city and district of Offenbach.
Lippold is an entrepreneur, Master Guildsman of the Offenbach Glaziers' Guild, and Deputy District Guild Master for the city and district of Offenbach. According to the district, he has spent decades advocating for craft businesses, vocational training for young people, and the preservation of jobs.
Commitment Far Beyond His Own Business
In the late 1970s, Lippold took over his father's company. He modernized the operation, expanded its in-house advertising and insurance agency, and continued to run the furniture trade with a kitchen specialty store, the glazing business, and the glass wholesale division. Through specialization in innovative glass products and the adoption of modern technology, the company—now in its fourth generation—has thrived, as reported by the district.
Beyond his entrepreneurial work, Lippold has also been actively involved in his profession at a regional and national level. He has served on wage negotiation committees and, since 2020, has been Deputy Federal Guild Master.
District Administrator Praises Dedication to the Skilled Trades
During the ceremony, District Administrator Oliver Quilling emphasized the combination of entrepreneurial responsibility and voluntary service. "Thomas Lippold has exemplarily demonstrated that linking individual achievement in one's own business with social responsibility through voluntary work can be a success for both sides," Quilling stated.
The district administrator also highlighted Lippold's contributions in areas such as digitalization, securing skilled labor, energy conservation, and fair wages. "His professional expertise, his efforts to combat youth unemployment, his management skills, and his practical solutions make him a key figure in our regional craft network, especially during times of profound transformation," Quilling explained.
Recognition for Decades of Voluntary Service
From the district's perspective, Lippold also embodies the close collaboration between the skilled trades, local authorities, and other regional stakeholders. Quilling remarked, "Thomas Lippold's long-standing commitment illustrates why the Offenbach district ranks among Germany's strongest and most future-oriented economic regions. He has shown what it means to embrace responsibility not as a burden, but as an opportunity. For this, we owe him our respect, gratitude, and recognition."
In closing, the district administrator underscored the importance of Lippold's work for the next generation of craftspeople. "Through his voluntary efforts, Thomas Lippold has made skilled trades more appealing to young people, laying the foundation for professional satisfaction and prosperity," Quilling said.
