Kurtz Ersa celebrates Hammer Party!

2014 was the year in which Kurtz Ersa celebrated its 235th anniversary – from the registration celebration (March) via the opening of the Hammermuseum (June) down to the employees’ festival on September 19, which was celebrated in a large tent on the Barthelsmühle.

More than 1,100 guests celebrate 235 years of existence in a big tent with 65 x 21 m

On a late summer’s evening, the host Rainer Kurtz welcomed more than 1,100 guests in Hasloch: members of the family, partners and board members, the mayor and all the employees, with or without accompaniment. “Today, the Kurtz Ersa flags are flying full of pride. We can also carry this pride in ourselves, as we are celebrating 235 years of existence – not an everyday occurrence. Dear employees, this is your festival”, said Rainer Kurtz in his address. He also looked back to 24.03.1779 – to the day of founding of the “iron hammer”, from which a group of companies active all over the world has developed in the course of time. “Being one of the big boys was never our objective – we attended to niches and that it where we are amongst the best in the world”, Rainer Kurtz sketched out the traditional company’s business strategy.

You can see where Kurtz Ersa comes from with the historical centre with the hammer mill, hammer museum, manor house and the extensive company chronicles – company history to touch. “In the past, we have had to redefine ourselves again and again. We have taken chances again and again – and have been rewarded at the bottom line: we are the last active iron hammer in the Spessart, we are the most modern foundry in the Spessart, we are a highly innovative special machine builder with a world-wide presence”, Rainer Kurtz told the guests. He said that they have experienced successes, but also failures and crises together. Again and again, they had to fight, look how things carry on, products and processes had to be further improved.

Where there is celebration, there is the hammer choir

And Kurtz Ersa still exists. Even more: in the anniversary year of 2014, Kurtz Ersa will achieve the best results in the company’s history with around 200 million Euros. “A strong team performance – for which I thank everyone on the management’s behalf: employees, apprentices, pensioners”, said Rainer Kurtz. After talks, musical performances by the hammer choir, the freshly formed hammer brass band, a buffet and comedian Andreas Römer, the mood in the festival tent was outstanding and was warmed up even further by the eight-man live band the “Goodfellas”. The party and the dancing at the Barthelsmühle went on well into the night – a party that everyone will remember for a long time.

Ready for change: Prof. Bullinger Speech about the development of global economy

Professor Dr.-Ing. Hans-Jörg Bullinger during his speech on the future development of the global economy — Prof. Hans-Jörg Bullinger during his speech on the future development of global economy

On the occasion of the 235-year employee party Kurtz Ersa invited an outstanding personality to give the anniversary speech: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans-Jörg Bullinger, work scientist and former long-standing President of the renowned Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. In his clever and unique Swabian way Bullinger outlined the future development of the global economy. He emphasized the importance of innovations for Germany in order to compete successfully today and tomorrow. According to Bullinger only top-quality products which are, at the same time, energy-efficient, safe and environmentally friendly will succeed. In order to keep our standard of living here in the centre of Europe we would have to become much faster and better. Only those ready for change and innovation would have the necessary tools for the future – just like the Kurtz Ersa group that had been able to repeatedly set trends in its business areas during its 235-year history.