16-18 COVER PROFILE – Kohlhage_TOR047_Sept20_LAW.qxp 01/10/2020 16:04 Page 1
COVER PROFILE KOHLHAGE Kohlhage combines all four divisions under one Kohlhage umbrella
“WE ARE KOHLHAGE, AND YOU WILL NEVER SEE A COMPANY WITH MORE POTENTIAL” As many industries emerge from the global Covid-19 lockdown, Torque’s Liberty Sheldon visited Kohlhage GmbH at its base in Neuenrade to discuss how the family company has united four divisions under one Kohlhage umbrella… ased in Neuenrade Germany, leading fastener supplier Kohlhage puts family first as they have become a fully family-owned business once again after the Kohlhage family obtained full shares in the company earlier this year. Additionally, the company has decided to combine all four divisions under one Kohlhage umbrella to further develop its customer base and emphasise their potential as a global business. The company’s four divisions; Kohlhage Automotive, Kohlhage Kunshan (a subsidiary of automotive in China), Kohlhage E-Tech and Kohlhage Fasteners, deal with a variety of markets such as the automotive industry, general engineering, plastics industry and fasteners. Marc Schreiber, Kohlhage’s Managing Director says: “We have decided to unite the four divisions under one group as a way of reducing cost and making more efficient sales. We also believe the change will improve our knowledge exchange in areas such as welding as many divisions such as Kohlhage Automotive and E-tech are considered welding specialists. We also aim to be much faster, stronger, and more competitive for our customers.” “Now we are communicating Kohlhage as a brand and a group with different divisions, we want our customers to know that we are Kohlhage, and you will never see a company with more potential,” adds Tobias Schneider, Head of Sales.
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HISTORY Founded in 1929 by Ernst Kohlhage, the company originally focused on screws, nuts, and electrical material. With a team of advanced specialists and roughly 200 employees, 2019 saw Kohlhage generate a turnover of 42 million euros. After the death of its founder, Kohlhage was taken over by Friedrich-Wilhelm Kohlhage, the son of original founder Ernst Kohlhage who developed the company and expanded its production size considerably. In 1974, Friedrich-Wilhelm Kohlhage purchased 22,000 square metres of land in Küntrop and later another 8,000 square meters. The company’s production facilities moved to the new production hall in 1979. In order for production and trading departments to evolve, in 1989, Kohlhage separated departments and stopped cross trading in the company. Kohlhage Verbindungstechnik, the manufacturing side of the company, moved to Küntrop with 70 employees, while Kohlhage GmbH remained at the old location with 20 employees. Additionally, Michael Stock joined Kohlhage in 1989 as its second Managing Director and share holder, and after the retirement of Friedrich-Wilhelm Kohlhage, took over sole management of the company. Under Stock’s leadership, the entire company moved to Küntrop and the old company location was dissolved in 1997.
