very day we’re working at becoming a strong partner for our customers, offering them outstanding product quality and developing and promoting innovative ideas. To do this we need to work together closely: with our customers to understand their needs and requirements, and with our specialised subsidiary companies, partners and service providers to ensure we deliver the highest quality. We call this “Clever Connections” – the close networking of all stakeholders. It results in individual strength on all levels.
Krone is a strong company: Contrary to the industry trend of 2017, our business enjoyed a very successful fiscal year. The total turnover of the Krone Group was 2.1 billion euros – in the previous year this figure came to 1.8 billion euros. We have invested 76 million euros in the future: Alongside our new spare parts centre and the automated component production site in Herzlake, our new Surfaces Centre (OFZ) in Werlte is the spearhead of our operations. This summer we were able to inaugurate and commence operations at this cutting-edge coating plant. The opening of the Surfaces Centre demonstrates a real commitment to the site and to our continuous development.
We have what is perhaps the most important date in the industry ahead of us, the IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover. The 2018 slogan for the major industry event dedicated to commercial vehicles, transportation and logistics mobility is “Driving tomorrow”: Not only will we be presenting tried-and-tested components at the conference, but also innovative products and impressive digital solutions which will shape the future of transport. Some of these innovations are featured in this edition of the magazine and we look forward to hearing from you to discuss them.
We hope you are really inspired by this edition and wish you an enjoyable read!
Bernard Krone, Managing Partner of Bernard Krone Holding SE & Co. KG
