Karl Kurz - a life for the tyre!
Wendlingen/Landau 27.04.2020 Unique? Grand Senieur? Warhorse? Mastermind? Master of his trade? Globetrotter? Maker? Swabian inventor? Entrepreneur? Pioneer? Somehow everything fits Karl Kurz - at the age of 87, he combines more characteristics in one person than almost anyone else in the industry.
In 1955 - aged just 23 - he laid the foundations for his short empire at Olgaeck in the centre of the Swabian capital - trading in carcasses and used tyres. Very early on, he established global connections across North, South and Central America, Asia and Africa. The European community had not yet been born; Karl Kurz was a "born European" from the very beginning. Thanks to this enormous openness, he quickly acquired a high level of expertise in the tyre markets of this world.
Quickly established
His trade in carcasses and used tyres in Stuttgart flourished and the premises quickly became too small. At the beginning of the 1960s, he moved the company headquarters to Leinfelden-Echterdingen.
The rapid increase in motorisation in Germany supported his business. Gogomobiles, Prinz NSUs, VW Beetles, DKWs and, of course, the Swabian Mercedes vehicles became increasingly popular. Gradually, even the middle classes were able to afford their own cars and the number of customers grew rapidly. Karl Kurz shaped the tyre trade in his region for over 30 years. Selling, winning new customers, driving the "business" forward with incredible energy, realising new ideas and building up contacts that lasted a lifetime - that was his passion.
First and foremost, he is always a businessman and entrepreneur. At the end of the 1980s, many companies wanted to make money with tyres. The vehicle population was now so large that it became a lucrative business for many master car mechanics. Tyre dealers sprang up like mushrooms and large retail chains emerged, making life difficult for retailers. Competition became correspondingly fierce.
Schon seit längerer Zeit beschäftigte sich Karl Kurz auch mit dem Thema Karkassenhandel. Karkassen (Reifenunterbau) die seit den 1950er Jahren vorrangig für die Retreading gebraucht wurden und Gebrauchtreifen, die in den Export gingen. Bis zum Beginn der 1990er Jahre wurden auch Pkw-Reifen
retreaded and the carcass was the essential foundation. It was only with the import of cheaper new tyres that car retreading became less important. As a result, these casings became used tyres and Karl Kurz recognised early on that the disposal of used tyres was a business model that could last for a long time. Because - as long as cars drive on tyres, used tyres will be produced. And every year there were more.
Restart
In 1989, at the age of 57 - when many people were already thinking about retirement - Karl Kurz made a fresh start and completely reorganised his business model by moving to Wendlingen.
Scrap tyres are now his main business model and have been from the outset, with a particular focus on sustainability. Half-measures are not his thing - either completely or not at all.
Of course, his global connections help him with his new business model. Over the years, he has built up a network that is unrivalled. He knows "God and the world" and this has benefited the used tyre business.
In 1997, at the age of 68, he took over the 16,000 square metre premises and several employees of Gummi-Mayer in Landau and expanded his sphere of activity with this second site. The used tyre disposal business grows successfully and with the location in Landau he can shred the used tyres into palm-sized pieces.
The industry is important to him and he is looking for a successor
At the same time, Karl Kurz became involved in the German Tyre Retail and Vulcanisation Trade Association (BRV) and, together with the then BRV Managing Director Peter Hülzer, founded the BRV's Waste Tyre Disposal Working Group. This working group is strongly committed to the issue of certification and sets the stricter framework conditions together with other disposal companies.
In 2003, KURZ receives its first certification. At the same time, Karl Kurz invests in a new, more efficient shredding plant. The agile entrepreneur is preoccupied with one question: Who will take over my business? At the age of 75, he is feverishly searching for a successor; one of his most difficult missions, which he does not succeed at the first attempt. His attempts to find a successor of the same calibre fail. However, this does not stop him from expanding and growing the company. In 2007, the warehouse in Landau moves to a larger site. From the middle of the same year, his granddaughter - Hanna Schöberl - joins the team and relieves her grandfather wherever possible. The company continues to grow and prosper. More excavators, roll-off containers and container vehicles are constantly being purchased so that the large volume of used tyres can be handled. At the same time, the logistical expertise grows. The "home-grown" Hanna Schöberl has learnt the ropes in two years, asserts herself and is granted power of attorney.
Karl Kurz celebrated his 80th birthday in 2012. In the same year, the company premises in Landau were expanded to 25,000 square metres and a year later he doubled the size of the factory premises in Wendlingen. In the best of health and still very active in the company, he celebrated his 60th anniversary in 2015. Due to the changing situation on the used tyre market, Karl Kurz is committed to founding an industry initiative. Under his leadership, with his good contacts and BRV Managing Director Peter Hülzer, he succeeds in bringing together the most important and large waste tyre disposal companies at NUFAM in Karlsruhe. His vision of having only certified waste tyre disposal companies that handle waste tyres as a secondary raw material in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner has not yet been completely fulfilled, but with the ZARE (Certified Waste Tyre Disposers) initiative, he is on the right track together with many other disposal companies. In 2017, he appointed his granddaughter Hanna Schöberl as Managing Director, who has spent the past ten years learning the ropes of the used tyre business from her grandfather.
Rubber-modified asphalt
2019 geht für ihn ein weiterer Wunschtraum in Erfüllung. Seit 2015 produziert KURZ in Landau aus Lkw-Schälschlangen hochwertiges, sortenreines Rubber powder. Ein Sekundärrohstoff für unterschiedliche Produkte und die beste Möglichkeit aus Altgummi neue Produkte entstehen zu lassen. Im Rahmen der Gesamtrenovierung und des Firmenneubaus in Wendlingen lässt er das Firmengelände mit gummimodifiziertem Asphalt ausstatten. Gemeinsam mit einem ortsansässigen Straßenbauer und einem Entwicklungsteam von Evonik wird das im eigenen Haus produzierte Gummimehl mit dem Bitumen verarbeitet. Es entsteht ein strapazierfähiger, langlebiger Asphalt. Wenn in Zukunft viele Straßen mit gummimodifiziertem Asphalt belegt werden, hätte sich für Karl Kurz ein Lebensziel erfüllt.
On 5 May 2020, he celebrates his 65th anniversary with the company. (The Queen in England is only three years longer.) In good health and surrounded by his family.
As active in private as in the company
You would think that such a full business life would leave no time for private matters: far from it: Karl Kurz has been married to Mathilde Kurz since 1971, has four daughters and two grandchildren and has long been a great-grandfather. He was and still is a passionate car driver, enjoys bowling, still accompanies friends hunting and enjoys playing cards. He played golf until last year. He has travelled to countless countries in his life and has often brought back contacts from these trips. His openness towards other countries, customs and nations builds bridges; accordingly, he is an advocate for immigrants and in many social areas. He loves a good wine and a good Swabian meal. A great, fulfilling life.
Material
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