Klaus Woerner

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-97070
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

KLAUS WOERNER
1939-2005

Klaus Woerner founded Automation Tooling Systems (ATS), which is today a global leader in automated manufacturing solutions.

Woerner was born in Tiengen, Germany and trained in Switzerland as a tool-and-die maker. He immigrated to Canada in 1960, and spent his first 14 years in Canada in various technician jobs, while studying engineering at night.

Woerner moved to Kitchener in 1974, and four years later mortgaged his home to start a small business making special purpose machines. Today, that company is ATS, which employs more than 4,000 people around the world, more than half of them in Waterloo Region.

Throughout his life and until his death in 2005 at the age of 65, Woerner proved himself to be a gifted engineer, entrepreneur and business leader. He made a significant contribution to the global automation industry, and in 1997 was named Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year.

Woerner embodied the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation for which Waterloo Region has become known. He was a community builder who was known for his philanthropy. His many substantial donations included support for the Centre in the Square, Conestoga College to upgrade robotics and automation equipment, and the University of Waterloo to establish a laboratory for automated manufacturing research.

Woerner also donated to the Grand River Hospital, the K-W Symphony, the K-W Philharmonic Choir, the YMCA, the Walter Bean Grand River Trail, the Grand River Conservation Authority, and Junior Achievement among other organizations.


Waterloo Region Hall of Fame