Highly Flexible for the Future! Kurtz Ersa Group

Host Thomas Mühleck, CEO of Kurtz Ersa, and co-host Dr. Sebastian Bauer, the Group´s Chief Software Officer (CSO), welcomed numerous guests from the worlds of politics, business, and banking – including Dr. Sascha Genders, CEO of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK); City Councilman Matthias Dürr; and representatives from the economic development agency. Representing the shareholders was Vincent Kurtz, a member of the seventh generation of the family, along with many Kurtz Ersa employees.

“What we need is high-tech in every area, especially in software,” emphasized Thomas Mühleck in his welcoming speech. Because it is becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable skilled workers in the Wertheim area, Kurtz Ersa is capitalizing on its proximity to universities and colleges; the new branch office offers space for 20 workstations. The even stronger focus on software development is having an impact on Kurtz Ersa´s entire business model – despite challenging geopolitical conditions, the mechanical engineering company´s revenue grew by 40 percent to over 400 million Euro in fiscal year 2026. Thomas Mühleck attributes this to an outstanding synergy between hardware and software – complemented by a corporate culture that consistently strives for global leadership.

Software as a Competitive Advantage

CSO Dr. Sebastian Bauer provided insights into software development as it was widely practiced until recently. In the past, software was added late in the mechanical engineering process, after the mechanics and mechatronics had long been defined. Today, it is considered from the very beginning. The company´s proprietary software embodies a great deal of process expertise that can make a difference in the competitive landscape. With centralized, modular solutions, the Group´s systems will access common building blocks in the future. Clear interfaces also make development less dependent on individual suppliers. Other key areas include data analysis, the convergence of corporate IT and machine control, and artificial intelligence. “With our new office, we are strengthening our software expertise and expanding it globally from our locations in Würzburg and Wiebelbach,” explains Sebastian Bauer.

Impetus from Industry and Academia

Dr. Michael Fischer, Managing Director of Ersa GmbH, is responsible for the “Electronics Production Equipment” business unit, which accounts for approximately 80 percent of the Group´s business. Ersa is involved in virtually every sector where soldering takes place – from smartphones and medical technology to aerospace. In his presentation, Michael Fischer demonstrated how strongly electronics production is driven by AI, e-mobility, renewable energy, and communications. PCBs are becoming increasingly complex, and precise temperature control during soldering is becoming ever more important. At the same time, geopolitical factors are driving the need for more resilient supply chains.

Prof. Dr. Axel Winkelmann, Chair of Business Administration and Business Informatics at the University of Würzburg, began by introducing InnoHubs, which he had founded as an initiator and entrepreneur: More than 20 companies – many of them startups – operate here across 14,500 m², with the university just a stone´s throw away. Approximately 27,000 students at the university, another 10,000 at the THWS, and over 80 digital professorships make the location attractive. “We want to attract innovative companies here and strengthen the region,” said Axel Winkelmann. Finally, Sven Rausch, Managing Director of Rausch Technology GmbH, used practical examples to demonstrate how industrial processes can be optimally controlled using data. In the afternoon, there was an opportunity for networking and a “hands-on machine experience” using smart glasses. A wonderful kickoff for the new Kurtz Ersa branch in bright sunshine, marking the beginning of many new connections!