Garching-Based Zeppelin Apprentices Fulfill Christmas Wishes: “Wishing Tree” Initiative Brings Joy to Hundreds

Continuing a special Christmas tradition, apprentices at the Zeppelin Group headquarters in Garching once again embraced their social responsibility this year. Since early November, a festively decorated wishing tree has been standing in the company’s headquarters, adorned with small paper stars. Each star carried a personal Christmas wish from someone in need in the Munich region – wishes collected through organizations such as the Münchner Tafel and Die Arche. Zeppelin employees were invited to take a star from the tree, purchase the requested gift, wrap it and place it back under the tree. Within just a few weeks, every single star had been taken. In their place, countless small and large presents now lie beneath the branches. As a result, more than 100 people will receive a Christmas gift this year. The Malteser relief organization will now distribute the presents.

“Our apprentices show every year with great dedication how deeply they care about social responsibility,” says Alexandra Mebus, Managing Director and CHRO of the Zeppelin Group. “As a foundation-owned company, these values are firmly embedded in our corporate culture and I am especially pleased to see how naturally they are embraced and lived by our youngest employees.”

The Christmas initiatives led by Zeppelin’s apprentices have a long-standing tradition. For many years, the company’s young talents – working within an organization primarily active in the construction industry – have been committed to bringing joy to people during the holiday season. Apprentices at many of the Group’s other locations also get involved. Through their projects, they support youth centers, food banks and other social service organizations across Germany. Each year, they create creative ideas to further develop their initiatives and help others.

Zeppelin Managing Director and CHRO Alexandra Mebus, together with Aline Sobkowski representing the apprentices, expressed their appreciation for the strong commitment shown by their colleagues. Through the wishing tree initiative, more than 100 people from the Munich region were able to enjoy a special Christmas surprise.

About the Zeppelin Group

The Zeppelin Group offers integrated solutions in the fields of construction and mining, agriculture and recycling, power and energy as well as industry – ranging from the distribution and service of construction equipment and drive systems to rental and project solutions, plant engineering as well as digital services. Zeppelin operates in 29 countries worldwide and employs more than 12,000 people. In fiscal year 2024, the company generated revenue of 3.8 billion euros; following an acquisition completed in 2025, consolidated revenue increased to more than 5 billion euros. The Group’s business activities are organized into four Strategic Business Units: Construction Industry & Mining, Rental, Power Systems and Plant Engineering. The holding company is Zeppelin GmbH, with its legal domicile in Friedrichshafen and headquarters in Garching near Munich. Shareholders are the Zeppelin Foundation and Zeppelin Luftschiffbau GmbH. As a foundation-owned company, Zeppelin combines commercial success with social responsibility. For more information, visit zeppelin.com.

Zeppelin GmbH
Graf-Zeppelin-Platz 1
85748 Garching bei München
Deutschland