Dr. Kurt Schmalz celebrates 30 years period of employment – An ingenious idea paved the way to success for J. Schmalz GmbH

02.10.2009

After intensive, experimental tinkering, Dr. Kurt Schmalz developed a novel pneumatic work table for a carpenter.

On the 2 of October 2009, Managing Director, Dr. Kurt Schmalz celebrated his 30 years period of employment with the company (see picture).

Although he officially started work at J. Schmalz KG in October 1979, he had already been active in the family business since his childhood.
When he took over the management from his father Artur Schmalz in 1984, the company counted ten employees. The demand for the products, mainly paint drying wagons and transportation devices, was stagnating. However, an ingenious idea brought about change. After intensive, experimental tinkering, Dr. Kurt Schmalz developed a novel pneumatic work table for a carpenter. However with intensive further development with an “ear for the client’s requirements” the entrepreneur succeded in achieving a successful new orientation as the provider of vacuum components and vacuum handling technology. Today, J. Schmalz GmbH is on the way to becoming the world market leader in the field of vacuum technology. It has been a long road for Dr. Kurt Schmalz to get this far.

In the last five years, around 200 jobs have been created in Glatten, Germany. Today, a total of 570 employees work for Schmalz with 130 of them working outside of Germany. Sixteen subsidiaries have been gradually established and expanded outside Germany.

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