News
From the world of KWS
Overview
R&D Center in Andijk
More room for research
Our new R&D Center in Andijk covers an area of 10,000 m² and is equipped with 360 solar modules delivering a sustainable energy supply. It offers space for the breeding and further development of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, melons and watermelons. “Its inauguration marks a significant milestone in our global R&D network and our infrastructure,” says Simon Walter, Head of BU Vegetables. “In addition, we’ve succeeded in attracting highly qualified colleagues from all over the world.” 25 of them will be working at the new center. KWS plans to launch new, innovative varieties for all nine vegetable crops within the next three years. |
Proven energy efficiency
KWS has successfully completed its initial ISO 50001 certification – an important step toward becoming more energy-efficient and achieving our CO2 targets. The new energy management system is intended to improve our use of energy and create transparency about our consumption. As part of the introduction of ISO 50001, the project team developed a cross-location energy policy, which was approved by the Executive Board. It is binding on all employees and should be known and entrenched in our day-to-day work. Conducting an energy assessment and involving multipliers were key milestones in this process – underpinned by strong teamwork and good cooperation between the locations.
The team next wants to hold a meeting of multipliers to specifically leverage synergy effects and provide new impetus for the further development of our energy management. |Björn Schuchhardt
New Head of Vegetables
Alessandro Maggioni joined KWS in July and is Head of BU Vegetables together with Simon Walter. He tells us what he did before, how he sees KWS, and what his goals are:
“After my PhD at the University of Milan, I started my career as a breeder in Italy (lettuce and onions at ISI Sementi) and then my spell abroad started with my first experience in Turkey (Rijk Zwaan), where I spent 10 years. Based in Antalya, I was in charge of tomato breeding programs targeting the Turkish markets as well as the Middle East and Far East (China and Japan). In 2018, I moved to the South of France as Breeding Manager Solanaceae (tomato, pepper, eggplant and rootstock) and at the end of 2021, I took over as Head of R&D at Vilmorin-Mikado, until I joined KWS and moved to the Netherlands with my wife and dog.
I have been fascinated by KWS’ bold move into the vegetables market and its real engagement with its long-term vision and investment, keeping the product at the heart of the strategy. I really appreciate the efforts to keep structures flat and embrace speedy and bold decision-making.
My goal, together with my team, is to draw up and implement crop strategies, ensuring that with people’s full commitment and by leveraging powerful resources we will become leaders in vegetables!”
At the launch of the GBO, Jörn Andreas (left) and Christoph Hengst provided information in Berlin about the new structure and the vision behind it.
Working Smarter, Together
On August 1, KWS opened a new chapter with Global Business Operations (GBO) – a new organization has been created from the former GTC and the Expert Hub Procurement. With Global Business Operations (GBO), KWS is continuing its journey toward operational excellence and business impact. The GBO organization, under the leadership of our Chief Financial Officer Jörn Andreas, will embrace new ways of working, primarily through digital solutions, and deliver business impact by becoming more efficient and effective. The goal is to actively contribute to the profitability of KWS. A key success factor will be to drive the transformation while strengthening connections across KWS.
KWS surfing tip
We want to make our Strategic Planning 2035 available to all colleagues in a simple and understandable way. Anyone still looking for the right communication material can find it on an intranet site. Whether presentation slides, posters or a short film – all key materials are available there in 11 languages. Practical ideas and useful tools for SP35 workshops in the team or in a joint meeting are also available centrally or can be ordered. You haven’t planned an SP35 workshop in your team yet? Then let the materials inspire you or contact the team for ideas. |
Third best in the world over three distances in dragon boat racing: Mandy Zivny (front) from KWS and her team
Bronze in the dragon boat
Mandy Zivny from Molecular Biology started dragon boating with the KWS Dragonseeds – and has now won several bronze medals at the World Championships. “It still feels like a dream,” she says with a smile. She stepped into a dragon boat for the first time in 2016, then switched to a club in Hanover, winning the German championship and the European club championship. This year, Mandy competed in the World Championships for the first time, together with over 4,600 participants from more than 30 countries – and won the bronze medal with her teammates in the boat over 500, 1,000 and 2,000 meters.
If you would like to join the KWS Dragonseeds, take a look here. |
© KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA 2025
