The entire Kurz Karkassenhandel team mourns the loss of company founder and former Managing Director Karl Kurz. After a short illness, he passed away at the age of 89 on 24 December 2021 surrounded by his family.
"It is with deep sadness that we bid farewell to my grandfather Karl Kurz. He managed and shaped the Kurz Karkassenhandel company for over 65 years. He leaves a gap in our hearts that cannot be filled. I am infinitely grateful for the time I was able to spend with him," says Hanna Schöberl, Managing Director of Kurz Karkassenhandel since 2017.
Karl Kurz has created a unique life's work: In 1955 - at the age of just 23 - Karl Kurz founded his trade in carcasses and used tyres at Olgaeck in Stuttgart. This was followed by moves to Leinfelden-Echterdingen in the early 1960s and finally to Wendlingen in 1989. For over 65 years, tyres were Karl Kurz's life's work: from tyre fitting to tyre and carcass trading to the sustainable disposal of used tyres.
Karl Kurz was highly regarded in the industry and by his employees for his reliability, expertise and commitment. Early on in his career, he established numerous contacts all over the world - Karl Kurz was a "born European" from the very beginning. Thanks to his enormous openness, he quickly built up a large network and a high level of expertise in the international tyre markets. Winning new customers, cultivating contacts and driving ideas forward - that was his passion, which he pursued with a great deal of energy and an old-school businessman's mentality.
Gleichzeitig engagierte sich Karl Kurz für die Branche: Er war Mitbegründer des Arbeitskreises Altreifenentsorger im BRV und der Initiative ZARE (Zertifizierte Altreifen-Entsorger), die sich für nachhaltige und umweltgerechte Altreifenentsorgung stark macht. Seit 2015 produziert Kurz Karkassenhandel am Standort Landau hochwertiges Rubber powder, aus dem unter anderem gummimodifizierter Asphalt hergestellt wird. Ein Lebensziel von Karl Kurz war, dass möglichst viele Straßen zukünftig mit nachhaltigem gummimodifiziertem Asphalt belegt werden. Bis ins Jahr 2021 war Karl Kurz in seiner Firma aktiv.
Karl Kurz was not only an entrepreneur, but also a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, a passionate driver, hunter, golfer and card player. He travelled to countless countries and campaigned for many social causes. In business and private life, Karl Kurz was a veteran and visionary who will be sorely missed.
About Kurz Karkassenhandel GmbH
Kurz Karkassenhandel GmbH is a certified specialist disposal company and has been involved in the professional disposal of all types of used tyres since it was founded in 1955. The company maintains and utilises long-standing national and international contacts. In 2015, the company celebrated its 60th anniversary. All information and contact details about Kurz can be found on the Kurz Karkassenhandel website.