Kurtz GmbH & Co. KG has established itself in a wide range of application areas – fields that play a significant role in making our lives and daily routines more comfortable and safer in the long term. For 55 years now, we have been supplying intelligent solutions for particle foam processing from our headquarters in Kreuzwertheim to the world – tailored to each customer´s specific requirements.
To counteract the rising cost and competitive pressures in this market segment, the management of Kurtz GmbH & Co. KG has decided to link the sales activities in the “Protective Solutions” division with the new business unit Additive Manufacturing, thereby strategically expanding the business. To this end, the position of Head of Global Sales for Kurtz GmbH & Co. KG was newly created.
Frank Johne has held this position at the company since February 1, 2026. A native of the Black Forest, he has lived in the Tauberfranken region for 23 years and has been active in machine sales for just as long. During an interview, this married father of a family shared some insights into his work, as well as his ideas and current projects. “While we are still relatively in the early stages with additive manufacturing technologies, in the field of particle foam we can draw on decades of experience as well as a broad product portfolio. This allows us to cover a wide range of end products for our customers,” says Frank Johne by way of introduction. “We´ve had the necessary manufacturing expertise in-house for over fifty years now – as well as cross-material process know-how.” This is particularly important, as many systems are custom-built for individual customers.
Yet this variety and diversity of machinery also present major challenges. While the global market for expandable plastics is no longer growing significantly, many companies must also hold their own in a weakening economy and amidst ever-changing political conflicts. “The overall conditions could be better,” Frank Johne continues, “yet these conditions apply equally to all market participants. There´s no point in worrying, so we do what we do best – we build good, reliable, and durable machines.”
Product Launch to mark the company´s 55th Anniversary
In times like these, many companies choose to downsize their existing product portfolio. This saves on development costs and consolidates procurement capacities. At the same time, however, the product range also loses flexibility for customers. “What I´ve learned in my career so far,” Johne continues, “is that we have to rise to the challenge. Nevertheless, it´s okay to sometimes take an approach that goes beyond the textbook. This is also true in the current situation. To continue being the strong partner our customers have come to expect while also meeting their desire for even greater flexibility, we´re currently working on a new product line.”
As before, the new system focuses on flexibility and the ability to implement customized customer projects – starting this fall, customers will be able to see the first system in the new series right here in Kreuzwertheim to develop real-world application scenarios together with Protective Solutions. “Especially in turbulent times, proximity to the customer is crucial – and for us, this is also fostered through international partnerships. This allows us to ensure short supply chains, strengthen our regional presence, and meet the growing demand for local sourcing,” says sales representative Frank Johne.
At the same time, Kurtz GmbH & Co. KG has been working on machines for metal 3D printing for some time now. “I can´t – and don´t want to – reveal exactly what we´re doing there in detail at this point,” says Johne, “but I´m nevertheless extremely pleased to say that we´ll be launching a new machine in the additive manufacturing sector before the end of this year.” To give a little insight, he adds: “We start where others stop. That´s where we feel at home.”
Both business segments – Protective Solutions and Additive Manufacturing – are and will remain in constant motion to provide customers with high-performance solutions tailored to changing market conditions. Frank Johne concludes: “This involves – despite all the geopolitical turbulence – targeted investment in the future of these areas, because we see their potential and are convinced that our commitment, based on regional proximity and a high-performing sales and service network, will be successful internationally in the long term.”
