When the Elementary School Visits the Workshop

A Project Day with the Heimbach School in Fluorn-Winzeln

That day, our workshop was a little noisier than usual. Twenty-four children from the Heimbach School in Fluorn-Winzeln came to visit—and not just to watch. Together with the Heimbach School’s booster club, we organized a project day: getting hands-on with wood, building things themselves, and trying out their own ideas.

Elementary school students from Heimbach School visit the " RUWI" workshop

The Heimbach School Visits Us at Our Workshop

Why This Is Important to Us

We believe in investing in our region—and, by extension, in the people who grow up here. Our goal wasn’t to stage a promotional event, but to show that a visit to a company doesn’t have to be stuffy: that we can explore and tinker together, and in the end, take pride in a great result.

An employee of the " RUWI" helps a child work at the workbench

Step by step, the quick-release mechanism takes shape

Two groups, many stations

After arriving, we split into two groups. One group worked on the lift tables—drilling, hammering, screwing—all under supervision, but using their own hands and keeping a close eye on workplace safety.

A child is working at a station in the " RUWI" workshop; wood shavings are flying

At the stations, participants didn't just watch—they got to work themselves

The other group toured the entire building, from the workshop to the administrative offices. Reiner Ruggaber, who founded the “ RUWI ” over twenty years ago, also took the time to answer the children’s questions.

An employee at RUWI shows a child how a workpiece is made

With guidance, but using our own hands

A Portable Insect House

Each child built their own insect house. And they got to take it home.

A child uses a rubber mallet to build a wooden insect house at the " RUWI" workbench

Children work together to build their insect houses in the workshop

To that end, each child made a small quick-release clasp—to use as a keychain for their pants pocket. A memento of a day when they accomplished something on their own.

A child is holding a homemade " RUWI" quick-release clip that serves as a keychain

Tinkering is expressly encouraged

During the tour, we asked a question we really meant: What would you do differently at our company? The answers were honest, imaginative, and sometimes surprisingly clear. We demonstrated in many ways how a company innovates today—the 3D printer with the “Heimbachschule” logo was just one example.

A 3D printer prints the words "Heimbachschule" on an " RUWI" perforated panel

And then there was the ping-pong table

We discovered together that day that a " lifting table " makes for a pretty good ping-pong table when set at the right height. And since a good day calls for a good break, we enjoyed a butter pretzel in between.

A refreshment table with water and pretzels in paper bags on a " RUWI" perforated tray

What We Wanted to Share

In the end, it was about more than just an insect house and a keychain. We wanted to show the children that each of them has the power to innovate—and that it’s worth pursuing their own ideas.

Thank you to the Heimbach School Support Association, with whom we worked together to organize the day, to the teachers, and to our entire team. Days like these are time well spent.