Obituary: Hans-Martin Piazza - Simply unmistakable

Hans-Martin Piazza was a colleague you would never forget after meeting him for the first time: blessed with rough edges and strong opinions, well-founded in his expertise and unafraid to express his views coram publico. A type who stood out at press conferences and press trips. First of all visually: the baseball cap, either with the logo of a logistics service provider or an intralogistics company, was always on his head - his trademark. And then with his questions, which often introduced his own co-presentation. I can still remember his "Tell me, did I understand correctly that ...", as well as the surprised looks on the faces of the interviewees during the press conferences and the suppressed groans of impatient colleagues in the audience, many of whom included myself.

Press conferences in the presence of Hans-Martin always went into extra time and that was a good thing - unlike many other colleagues, the editor-in-chief asked questions until he had understood or until the interviewee was forced to express himself clearly.

After graduating from high school and completing his traineeship, Hans-Martin Piazza worked for Konradin Verlag in Leinfelden-Echterdingen and Munich for various electronics trade journals from 1983. These included the magazines "ez" (later "e - Elektronik-Technologie, Elektronikanwendung, Elektronik-Marketing") and "EPP - Elektronik, Produktion und Prüftechnik". After a brief intermezzo at the chemistry title CAV (1994), Hans-Martin Piazza joined the editorial team of FM Frachtmanagement (later: "Fracht und Materialfluss", from 1996 "FM - Das Logistikmagazin") in 1995. From April 1995, he took over the editorial management of the logistics title, officially becoming editor-in-chief in 1996. The management buyout followed in 2008, and Piazza ran the title as publisher, editor-in-chief and advertising manager until his death.

Hans-Martin Piazza was always on the ball, keeping an eye on developments and making his own sense of them. He shaped the magazine, he was "FM", he was the brand and his personality and expertise formed the decisive basis for the publication's success.

My thoughts are with his family and I wish them strength for the time ahead. Rest in peace, Hans-Martin, the group of intralogistics journalists will miss you just as much as the intralogistics industry.

Martin Schrüfer

... Colleagues about Hans-Martin Piazza

Wolfgang Degenhard, Aktiv PR:

"In all the years that I was able to work with Hans-Martin Piazza, I found him to be a very sociable and extremely fair person. With his unparalleled commitment, his strong sense of responsibility and his excellent general and specialist knowledge, which he also expected from his partners, he has earned himself a lasting reputation in our industry and beyond. It will be difficult to accept that Hans-Martin Piazza is no longer with us."

Vera Sebastian, editor: "Last year, I worked very closely with Martin again, whereas the years before were a little more relaxed. We never lost sight of each other. The loss really hurts me a lot. Because I lost a real friend on August 23. We knew each other for 20 years. The relationship was characterized by ups and downs - on both sides. What I can say with certainty: The logistics and trade magazine industry has lost one of its most important personalities. A real character. Martin was highly motivated and committed for more than two decades. He shaped FM like no other - with his very personal style, which was humorous, sometimes a little awkward, but could also be energetic at times. His jokes, his editorials, his mailings and the hearty discussions he could get carried away with are legendary. You could rely on him in every respect. He always kept his promises. And he never promised anything he couldn't keep. I am deeply shocked that his life was taken from him like this - but I know that he will be remembered by many colleagues, companions, customers, business partners and friends. Many will remember him fondly. Of him personally and of his work. Including myself. I would have loved to have worked with him in the years to come. We wanted to take FM forward, we had big plans. It's a shame - but it's also good that we have at least one happy memory."

Sabine Schulz-Rohde, Beschaffung aktuell: "In May 1995, after studying mechanical engineering, I joined FM as a trainee and took my first steps in journalism with the help of Hans-Martin Piazza. He was a generous boss. However, he demanded great commitment from his employees. He hated slowness or disinterest. We spent a year familiarizing ourselves with the industry and worked together to produce the logistics magazine FM. I think we were a good team. In any case, I really enjoyed working hand in hand with Hans-Martin Piazza. I learned a lot from him about the entire production of a trade magazine: from the layout to the editorial part to marketing - he had it all and taught me how to do it. I am grateful to him for that today."