THE LATEST NEWS FROM KUHN
New developments related to KUHN GmbH.
When the ZDF rings…
November 2024 | KUHN GmbH on ZDF heute journal
Last week, the phone rang in the morning. “Hello, this is ZDF. Mr. Kuhn, do you have time for an interview at short notice? We’re looking for a medium-sized company that exports to the USA. Could you give us a statement on what impact the results of the US election could possibly have on the German economy?”
Of course we didn’t say no. Three hours later, a camera team from the ZDF regional studio in Stuttgart was in the yard. Camera, light and sound were set up and off we went.
Our Managing Director Dr. Michael Kuhn was on hand to answer questions and explain the negative consequences to be expected in Germany following the US election from the perspective of KUHN GmbH.
The entire report was broadcast on Saturday, November 2nd on ZDF heute journal. Click here to go to the ZDF media library
KUHN worldwide: On the road in India
October 2024 | Dr. Michael Kuhn presented us internationally for more than a week
India is developing into one of the future markets for environmental technologies. IFAT India is already the leading trade fair for water, sewage, waste and recycling there. The first major travel stop for our Managing Director Dr. Michael Kuhn was therefore IFAT India in Mumbai.
There, he not only presented us as an important company in the wastewater sector at the German Pavilion, but also chaired a panel discussion on green hydrogen from (waste) water in his capacity as a member of the board of the German Water Partnership (GWP). Sounds strange at first, but it is actually one of the most advanced water technologies of the future and plays a key role in revolutionizing energy production and sustainability.
After intensive days at the trade fair in Mumbai, Michael then traveled on to Chennai. From October 20 – 23, 2024, the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, organized a showcase for German companies in the sustainable water and wastewater industry.
The core of the program was a symposium with specialist lectures, discussions and company presentations by the German participants to selected stakeholders from industry and politics. Networking and individually organized meetings complemented the programme. Michael Kuhn was able to take part in a panel discussion and contributed to a successful event.
The economic potential offered by the water industry in India is already enormous and is set to grow further in the coming years. However, market entry for international companies is associated with many hurdles. Market knowledge and product adaptations are almost always required and a large network and the right contacts to decision-makers are essential. The exhibition in Chennai helps German companies in particular to sharpen their understanding of the local market, explore business opportunities and increase the visibility of their own solutions and products.
The course has been set for potential cooperation.
Technology from Höpfingen can be found worldwide
August 2024 | Dr Andre Baumann, State Secretary in the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment, took a look around the Kuhn company
Report from the Fränkische Nachrichten from 02/08/2024:
“Höpfingen. How is a long-established global company in the rural area, which is now in its third generation of management and will soon be celebrating its 100th anniversary, doing? A question that was answered very vividly and clearly on Thursday at the Kuhn company in Höpfingen: Dr Andre Baumann, State Secretary in the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment, took a look behind the scenes, asked questions and received interesting answers from Managing Director Dr Michael Kuhn.
They had first met at the IFAT GreenTec trade fair in Munich, where Kuhn had a stand (as reported by FN). It quickly became clear that they spoke the same language: “GreenTec is also very important in Baden-Württemberg as an automotive and mechanical engineering state,” emphasised Kuhn, who was delighted with the visit. “Ministries rarely find their way to North Baden,” he emphasised, referring to the company’s entrepreneurial and creative-technical focus on hydraulic engineering.
Informed about projects
He discussed river catchment areas, the “much too late” master plan for Baden-Württemberg’s water supply, the global sewerage network and water conflicts. At the same time, he provided information on plant engineering in the areas of drinking water supply, wastewater treatment and rainwater treatment, mechanical engineering in the field of mechanical wastewater treatment and current national and international projects.
It became clear that the slogan “water experts – world wide” is more than just a catchy advertising slogan: technology from Höpfingen can be found not only at numerous locations in Germany, but also in Prague, London, Los Angeles, Newark, Sydney and Invercargill in New Zealand. There was also joy about the succession solution. With Peter Kuhn and Janis Kuhn, the next generation is already in the starting blocks.
Finally, a great deal of space was given to discussing current issues that sometimes concern even a global player like Kuhn: Dr Michael Kuhn recalled the high and almost unmanageable bureaucratic requirements and the difficulty in recruiting employees despite 180 employees and a good reputation. “We have massive problems attracting skilled labour from the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region to Höpfingen. Technical positions in particular are difficult to fill, especially as working from home has proven to be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it takes the pressure off the family life of office workers; on the other hand, it fuels certain dissatisfaction among workers and fitters, for example, who feel disadvantaged because it is harder to reconcile work and family life,” he conceded.
The only chance is to train and develop our own employees: “We currently have 13 trainees,” emphasised Kuhn. But here, too, the application situation is not ideal at the moment: “The fact that there are no more secondary schools is making itself felt. Those with a secondary school leaving certificate are rarely interested in the commercial sector,” he noted.
The State Secretary pointed out that the skilled trades in particular were helping to achieve climate protection targets. “However, politicians cannot solve the problem alone – society must help and convey the message that the skilled trades have more golden ground than ever before. Real climate protectors learn in the skilled trades,” he explained. Modern technology can also solve many problems and certain flexibility must be put into practice. With this in mind, the State Secretary promised to take the knowledge and insights gained in Höpfingen back to the Ministry of the Environment. Dr Michael Kuhn went on to point out the situation with water screw conveyors, which not every expert accepts: Since a certain risk of injury to fish could not be ruled out, the company was occasionally tilting at windmills and hoping that the situation would ease.
Finally, the delegation went on a tour of the company. Dr Michael Kuhn showed State Secretary Baumann the modern hydraulics laboratory and provided an insight into the production of water screw conveyors. He did not fail to mention that the first Kuhn water screw conveyor was manufactured in-house in 1978. Dr Baumann thanked the company for its “highly professional commitment to the most important element of life over several generations. Mayor Christian Hauk also expressed his delight at the high-profile visit, which he described as a “very appreciative gesture for Höpfingen”. He did not fail to mention that the Kuhn company, as the largest local employer, plays an important role in local life. ad”
A sporting weekend for KUHN GmbH
July 2024 | TSV Höpfingen invites you to the sports festival
At the end of July, TSV Höpfingen traditionally invites everyone to its annual sports festival. This means exceptional conditions in Höpfingen and a colourful programme for young and old.
The TSV charity run took place on Saturday, with KUHN employees and their families competing in the 5km and 10km races – all for a good cause, of course. Whether runners or walkers: everyone contributed to the joint best performance and simply looked great!
On Monday, we took part in the company tournament with two football teams. A pure KUHN team and a mixed team “Lehrer x & KUHN GmbH” showed their skills on the ball in KUHN kit. After exciting matches on the small pitch, the mixed team finally won the cup in the final against Sparkasse Tauberfranken with a penalty shoot-out victory.
Thanks to TSV Höpfingen for a great sports festival – we are already looking forward to next year.
Two long-serving employees go into well-deserved retirement!
June 2024 | Franz-Karl Bechtold and Jürgen Hilpert bid farewell
Two long-standing employees are leaving the company. Franz-Karl Bechtold can now finally call himself “retired” after more than 32 years at KUHN and Jürgen Hilpert has also reached his well-deserved retirement after more than 13 years.
With them, two very reliable and competent colleagues are leaving us. We will miss both of them very much with their many years of experience and their great knowledge.
Dear Franz and Jürgen, we wish you all the best for the new phase of your lives, and above all many more decades of good health. You are always welcome here.
THANK YOU for everything!
After a 2-year break, IFAT was finally back in May!
May 2024 | World’s leading trade fair for water, sewage, waste and raw materials management
More than 142,000 visitors from around 170 countries and regions came to Munich this year for the world’s leading trade fair for water, sewage, waste and raw materials management – that’s a new record!
Climate, water, energy and the environment are among the most important issues of our time. We at KUHN GmbH deal with these issues on a daily basis and are therefore proud to have been part of this impressive event.
With a new exhibition stand and all kinds of innovations in our luggage, we presented ourselves for five days as a competent and holistic partner for our customers and interested parties in the field of wastewater technology.
We focused in particular on our modern and reliable machines – old technology that is reinventing itself, but also many new products that are revolutionizing the market. Coupled with our KUHN 360 as an essential component of active water management.
THANK YOU for five intensive days full of interesting discussions, nice contacts, great impressions and hours of fun!
And above all, THANK YOU for your visit to our stand and your great interest in our products as well as our holistic solutions and the expertise of KUHN.
KUHN will be 100 years young in 2026!
You can already look forward to IFAT 2026 and celebrate the anniversary with us in the midst of tomorrow’s innovations.
KUHN at IFAT India
October 2023 | Feasibility study signed
In October, our Managing Director Dr Michael Kuhn took part in IFAT India in Mumbai, together with our Indian partner, as an exhibitor at the German joint stand.
In this context, a feasibility study was signed between the city of Chennai, the water ministry of the state of Tamil Nadu and German Water Partnership (GWP). The Federal Ministry for the Environment had commissioned several companies for this purpose. The aim was to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to rehabilitate the Nesapakkam wastewater treatment plant. The process technology of this plant is to be completely modernised. KUHN would like to supply the inlet group for this.
An official report on GWP’s partnership with India was published in the magazine “Wasser & Abwasser International” (wwt).
26 years in daily use under the toughest conditions
July 2023 | A special order at KUHN
Our customer Porta Westfalica has decided to replace a wash press for screenings treatment at the Möllbergen wastewater treatment plant.
Not really worthy of a headline. But what is so special about this order? This wash press was one of the very first to be developed and built at the time. After more than 26 years of reliable and faithful service, it is now being replaced by a more advanced but equally robust KWP-Premium 250/600 model due to its age. There are currently well over 2,500 of these KUHN machines in use around the world – something we are naturally more than proud of!
Head of Production Elmar Kaiser retires after 48 years at KUHN
December 2022 | Management and colleagues thank Elmar Kaiser
Managing Director Dr Michael Kuhn called Elmar Kaiser a “living KUHN encyclopaedia” when he bid farewell to him in December 2022. Almost five decades earlier, Kaiser had applied for an apprenticeship as an electrician at Franz Kuhn oHG. However, the position had already been filled, so he was offered an apprenticeship as an office administrator. “I accepted the offer and have never regretted it,” says Kaiser. “Thanks to the foresight of the respective managing directors and the commitment of each individual employee, a lot has been tackled and achieved in the 48 years.” And that, added Managing Director Jürgen Kuhn, was not least thanks to Elmar Kaiser himself: “Elmar never lost sight of the big picture. No matter how stressful a situation is: Elmar remains friendly and calm, he finds solutions instead of problems. He was and is always very popular with all colleagues, customers and partners!”
The Höpfinger not only experienced decades of change at KUHN, but also helped to shape it: The small craft business became a nationally and internationally recognised expert in the field of water and wastewater with over 170 employees. Trainee Elmar Kaiser first became a commercial employee in sales and the building services department, drew up quotations, became an expert in stocktaking and in 2012 became head of the production department. He lived up to his motto: “There’s a lot to do. Let’s get on with it!” Kaiser was a highly valued point of contact for experienced and young colleagues and set standards in terms of reliability, expertise, collegiality and loyalty.
In his farewell speech, Elmar Kaiser impressively described what 48 years of change inside and outside the world of work means: “When I started my apprenticeship in 1974, Germany had just become football world champion for the second time. A litre of regular petrol cost 83 pfennigs, a beer at the Oktoberfest 3.20 DM. Communication at KUHN was by telephone, in writing with letters and, if it had to be quicker, “chatting” by telex. Fitters had to find a telephone box for every enquiry and construction sites or customers were found using maps, car atlases and directions. Water experts – world wide was still a long way off.” In keeping with the tradition of his work, Elmar Kaiser concluded his speech with an optimistic wish for his colleagues to continue to pull together. After all, this attitude had brought him a happy working life for 48 years.
Not only the management, but also Kaiser’s colleagues thanked him for his commitment to KUHN over his 48 years with the company. KUHN in Höpfingen is certain that Elmar Kaiser will remain part of the family business even after these 48 years.
Sparkling drinking water for Gerichtstetten primary school
October 2022 | Donation makes purchase possible
Quote from the official gazette and newsletter of the municipality of Hardheim with the district of Gerichtstetten:
“There was great joy among the pupils and teachers at the primary school in Gerichtstetten when the new water dispenser was put into operation. It is thanks to both the Kuhn company from Höpfingen and the primary school’s support association that the children can now come to school with a little less weight in their satchels, as they no longer have to bring their drinks from home, but can quench their thirst with chilled, still or sparkling water from the new water dispenser, depending on their taste.
The children were particularly enthusiastic about the drinking bottles specially made for all pupils and teachers at Gerichtstetten Primary School to mark the introduction of the water dispenser. The bottles are adorned with a very attractive imprint, consisting of the logo of the sponsoring organisation and the children’s names, which makes the bottles something very special. The attractive design of the drinking bottles was developed by Mrs Ehrenfried-Dittmar from RED Kreativ.
The purchase of the high-quality stainless steel bottles was organised with great commitment by the support association team led by chairman Florian Dörr and was only possible thanks to the very generous donation from the Kuhn company.
Managing Director Jürgen Kuhn emphasised at the handover that the donation was made with great pleasure for Gerichtstetten primary school and was delighted with the result and the opportunity to support a meaningful and useful project.
At the end of the handover, headmistress Daniela Taranto expressed her great thanks to all those involved in the “water dispenser” project, especially the Kuhn company, the support association team and Mrs Ehrenfried-Dittmar, without whose commitment and financial support the implementation would not have been possible.”
Finally IFAT is back!
May / June 2022 | IFAT Munich 2022
IFAT is back! The world’s leading trade fair for water, sewage, waste and raw materials management stands for innovation and sustainibility. After an enforced break in 2020, we were once again able to meet our custumers, partners and friends in person in the Bavarian capital. Like you, we at KUHN have missed this direct and uncomplicated exchange in recent years.
However, we made good use of the time until this IFAT and did what we do at best at KUHN: We worked on the optimal solutions for our customers’ problems. We wre able to present four new machines to our guests at IFAT! For example our KGR Hinged screen and our KST Drum screen.
Thank you for visiting our stand in Munich and for your great interest in our products and the expertise of KUHN. See you in two years at the latest!
EMPLOYEE HONOR 2021
October 2021 | Many KUHN GmbH employees honored at company party
The management board of KUHN GmbH, Höpfingen invited their employees to the “big” company party held every other year. Due to the current coronavirus pandemic the event was less formal and held in the company’s production hall while observing protection measures.
Managing director Jürgen Kuhn greeted not only the company’s staff but also the previous generation of company management, Günther Kuhn and his wife Anneliese, Emma Kuhn, and former authorized signatory Norbert Kuhn and his wife Marianne. He also welcomed mayor Hauk, who represented the Höpfingen municipality.
The most important part of the afternoon was quickly addressed: this involved the two managing directors honoring employees for their many years of service to the company. The number of those being honored and how long they had worked for KUHN demonstrated their high degree of identification with the company and made him proud, said Jürgen Kuhn, who then introduced the 40 members of staff being recognized, with humorous commentary.
The following employees were honored: ….
For 10 years: Mario Haas, Eduard Wirtz, Jürgen Hilpert, Jürgen Kirchgeßner, Simone Beichert, Andreas Frank, Peter Kantert, Peter Wulf, Elisabeth Hilpert, Simon Mahler, Daniel Wagner und Steffen Gärtner geehrt.
For 15 years and with the bronze medal from the Mannheimer Chapter of the Chamber of Trades: Torsten Kaiser, Thomas Greß, Georg Sulzer, Jens Eiermann, Andreas Gramlich, Manfred Hauk und Christian Hilpert.
For 20 years: Josef König, Horst Kuhn, Ralf Kinbacher und Rene Hauk.
For 25 years and also with the silver medal from the Chapter of the Chamber of Trades: Michael Volk, Mathias Speth und Martin Sans.
For 30 years: Michael Philipps, Johann Wischnewski, Katja Czerny, Thorsten Weidner, Martin Biringer und Anke Knörzer sowie die beiden Geschäftsführer Jürgen Kuhn und Dr. Michael Kuhn.
For 35 years: Günter Rabl und Doris Burger.
Richard Hefner and Claudia Großkinsky were recognized for a special anniversary, 40 years of company service, which was also honored with a Gold Medal from the Mannheim Chapter of the Chamber of Trades as well as a Certificate of Honor from the State of Baden-Württemberg.
Elmar Kaiser was honored for 45 years of faithful service to KUHN. Speaking on behalf of the management board, Jürgen Kuhn thanked those honored for their successful cooperation.
Finally, the managing directors Jürgen and Michael Kuhn also recognized their uncle, Norbert Kuhn, who first began working for KUHN 60 years ago – a period of time that is anything but common. Jürgen Kuhn emphasized in particular the professionalism demonstrated by Norbert Kuhn with regard to building services and all the construction and maintenance measures completed over several decades. Even now, while actually retired, he can always be counted upon to help when needed.
Jürgen Kuhn thanked all the employees for their excellent work and outstanding commitment before stepping up to the microphone again to provide an outlook on the current and forthcoming fiscal year. He reported that, despite the scarcity of skilled employees, orders were currently very good because in the region and internationally the name KUHN is widely known and recognized for the high quality it achieves.
After that, participants moved from the official to the social part of the afternoon.
IHK Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis
September 2021 | IHK meeting at KUHN
Last Monday, a meeting of the members of the IHK plenary assembly, Neckar-Odenwald district, took place at KUHN.
After everyone had strengthened themselves with a small dinner, a short company tour followed, before the upcoming plenary meeting of the Mannheim Chamber of Commerce, which took place on September 15, 2021, was prepared and discussed.
Seen in the photo (from left to right):
Stefan Kempf, ÜAB Buchen │ Dr. Andreas Hildenbrand, IHK NOK │ Volker Egenberger, Egenberger IT Solutions GmbH │ Hans-Georg Ehrmann, Röth Eisengießerei GmbH & Co. KG │ Christoph Schneider, OKW GmbH & Co. KG │ Cornelia Friedrich, Pflege- und Gesundheitsservice Friedrich │ Ralf Rohmann, Gustav Eirich GmbH & Co. KG │ Jürgen Kuhn, KUHN GmbH Technische Anlagen
COMMISSIONING OF THE 1000TH ARCHIMEDEAN SCREW PUMP
May 2021 | New conveyor screws in sewage treatment plant
The Eichsfelder Kessel regional wastewater association will emphasize efficiency and climate protection when modernizing its Bernterode/Wipper sewage treatment plant, which is designed for a population of 15,000 (with 14,416 inhabitants currently using the system).
Since being installed as the wastewater association’s first such facility, the plant has been in operation for over 25 years. Because current efforts are largely focused on energy-efficient refurbishment, the association attaches great importance to the results of its climate protection concept. As association managing director Thiele says, the objective is to increase energy efficiency. That is why the so-called recirculation sludge conveyor screws were renovated. “Due to wear and tear, it was no longer possible to easily convey the recirculated sludge. This had a direct impact on operation and disposal safety,” said Thiele. In addition, energy consumption was rising exponentially. The question was therefore whether the sewage pump screws needed to be repaired or replaced. The regional association ultimately decided on complete replacement.
Our managing director Dr. Michael Kuhn traveled to the official commissioning of the plant because our company supplied and installed the Archimedean screw pumps. It was a special occasion for our company boss because it was the 1,000th such sewage pump screw to leave the KUHN GmbH production line. As a special memento, he brought a present along – a small gold-colored 3D print version of the Archimedean screw pump – a certificate and a coupon for the first routine maintenance work. Michael Kuhn, who has seen his share of sewage treatment plants, gave high praise to the operators of the plant, saying “It doesn’t stink here. That shows the plant is working very well, and, besides, the lawn is mowed. That in turn shows you how people pay close attention to things around here.”
The photo shows specialist department manager David Meitzner, association chairman Eckart Lintzel, wastewater manager Christian Iseke, manager Oliver Thiele and our managing director Dr. Michael Kuhn at the official plant start-up ceremony.
ORDER FROM NEW YORK
May 2021 | The “Big Apple” chooses machinery made in Höpfingen
The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC) has placed an order for seven wash presses with us through our partner Vulcan Industries Inc. Our equipment will be deployed to supplement disposal processes in which residue from upstream separation is removed, washed, compacted and dewatered. PVSC had already been testing wash presses starting in 2015 and ultimately decided on the quality machinery manufactured by KUHN GmbH.
As one of the largest state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facilities on the East Coast, the 0.70 km² PVSC facility has more than 13 km of access roads, over 1.6 km of supply tunnels, many kilometers of sewer lines and processing tubes, thousands of instruments and valves, hundreds of pumps and a 137.16 m long bridge over Doremus Avenue.
The incoming volume is also remarkable: the plant is designed to treat an average volume of 14.45 m³/s of wastewater at a maximum throughput of 17.25 m³/s.
30TH ANNIVERSARY – DR. MICHAEL KUHN
May 2021 | 30-year KUHN anniversary
Our managing director Dr. Michael Kuhn was predestined to become a part of KUHN GmbH from very early in life. He joined the company only a month later than managing director Jürgen Kuhn and celebrated his 30th anniversary with the company on May 1, 2021. We wish to express our THANKS to you too, Michael, and look back at your career with KUHN until now.
After completing studies in utility engineering at Esslingen University and completing an internship in the United States, Michael completed an additional degree in industrial engineering. He then joined KUHN GmbH on May 1, 1991.
As the third generation in company management, in 1997, together with Jürgen Kuhn he acquired all the shares in the company and has been running KUHN since that time as managing shareholder. Initially responsible for electrical engineering at the company, in the meantime, he has also assumed responsibility for Building Services, Sales & Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Human Resources and IT.
Over the years, Michael has left his mark at important milestones in the history of KUHN and has represented the company well, especially externally. He enjoys and is deeply committed to his role in numerous committees and associations. For example, since 2014 he has chaired the India Country Forum of the German Water Partnership (GWP) and has served on the advisory committee of the environmental technology industry association Umwelttechnik Baden-Württemberg.
To name only a few examples, since 2015 he has served on the foreign trade committee of the Rhine-Neckar Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and has even served as a member of the GWP executive committee since 2018. Based on his broadly based networking, he has contributed significantly to the growth of KUHN GmbH, in particular by expanding sales internationally in recent years.
In 2014 Michael earned a Doctor of Engineering degree from the University of Rostock and in 2021 was granted the title of expert consultant on flow measurement for Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
On behalf of the entire workforce, we wish to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU, Michael, for your 30 years of tireless service, commitment and dedication to the KUHN company!