Steel chief dies

(JB) Former steel chief Emmanuel Tesch has died the same day as an important meeting to decide the future of steel production in Luxembourg.

Born December 9, 1920, to George and Andree Weckenbecker Tesch and from a prominent family in Luxembourg, Tesch began his career with steel manufacturers Arbed in 1958.

Ten years later, he joined the board, serving as president from 1972 to 1991.

Similar to today's unstable climate, the steel sector passed through a troubled period while Tesch was at the helm. But, he is widely credited for setting the industry back on track.

Meeting with government heads and union representatives, he made notable compromises by cutting jobs without making redundancies, a method which led to the creation of the Luxembourg social model.

One trade unionist told wort.lu: “He had a high idea of what this activity meant for the economic and social life of the Grand Duchy and even if we did not always agree with him, we knew he had the measure of national interest and paid close attention to social concerns."

A chemical engineer by training, Tesch previously worked for Luxembourg tobacco manufacturer Heintz Van Landewyick, before joining the General Society for the trade in industrial products (SOGECO).

He served as president of the Automobile Club of Luxembourg from 1967 to 1969 and was president of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce from 1974 to 1992.