Over 2,000 years of service: KWS commends long-standing employees

Einbeck, February 4, 2020

During a ceremony at the Blockhaus Wetze venue on January 23, the KWS Executive Board and Works Council recognized the dedication and loyalty of long-standing employees. The jubilarians' combined experience amounted to more than 2,000 years of service in 2019. The ceremony underscored the fact that many regard KWS as more than just an employer.

Jürgen Bolduan, Chairman of the Central Works Council, regards this as a special event every year, as it gives him the opportunity to welcome numerous KWS colleagues to the Blockhaus venue. 56 colleagues celebrated their 10-year anniversary last year. 25 employees have worked at KWS for 25 years. 13 jubilarians have been with the company for 35 years, three for 40 years and six employees for 45 years.

“Each and every one of you contributes to the overall success of KWS. It is your outstanding work that makes KWS what it is. On behalf of the Works Council, I would like to express my utmost appreciation and thank you for the commitment and passion that you demonstrate every day at this company when engaging in your daily activities,” said Bolduan. To remind the jubilarians of the time when they started at the company, he once again highlighted key KWS events from the years 2009, 1994, 1984, 1979 and 1974. Jubilarians from each year attended the event: Christof Bolduan, Christina Zöllner, Annette Bönig, Petra Wollenweber and Wolfgang Joachim and all of them had the opportunity to speak. They emphasized that there is still a strong team spirit among colleagues, which makes the work at KWS truly special, particularly in times of change.

Léon Broers, Member of the Executive Board responsible for Research and Development as well as the Business Unit Vegetables, also thanked all of the jubilarians for the work they have achieved. “KWS depends on you and is pleased to have so many motivated employees who have played an integral role in shaping the company’s successful path in the past and will continue to do so in the future. On behalf of the entire Executive Board, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for the many years of dedication and loyalty to KWS.”

Following speeches from the Works Council, jubilarians and the Executive Board, everyone had the opportunity to enjoy coffee and cake and reminisce about the time spent together at KWS.

About KWS*
KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies. In the fiscal year 2018/19, more than 5,500 employees in 70 countries generated net sales of EUR 1.1 billion and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 150 million. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for more than 160 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for corn, sugarbeet, cereals, rapeseed, sunflowers and vegetables. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to increase farmers’ yields and to improve resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested approximately EUR 200 million last fiscal year in research and development.

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