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From the world of KWS
Rye King Ferdinand III von Lochow
A plot combine harvester developed in Hasselhorst together with Claas. It did not get past the prototype stage.
A label stamp
An ascending sifter with a metering device from a Siemens vacuum cleaner
A self-propelled fertilizer spreader
A furrow marker for a single-axle
KWS Cereals anniversary
Historical photos
KWS LOCHOW GMBH is celebrating a triple anniversary with a photo exhibition. The “Rye King” Ferdinand III von Lochow began systematic plant breeding in Petkus 140 years ago, F. von Lochow-Petkus GmbH was established in Brandenburg 95 years ago, and the company was registered at Bergen Local Court 75 years ago. The company archives contained precious historical photographs from this time. They provide insights into the company’s evolution and also how farming has changed. Many photos have been developed directly from the glass plate negatives, film cans or parchment paper. They will be exhibited at the conference building in Wohlde until the end of the year and can then be used at other stations. |
Excellent protection
Annual inspections of our locations worldwide enable our non-life insurer FM Global to identify potential risks better. Over the past years our colleagues at Group Governance & Risk Management have implemented measures recommended by FM Global at Einbeck and thus helped significantly reduce the risk of interruptions to our business operations. The insurer has acknowledged KWS as a “highly protected risk” as a result: A certificate to that effect was presented to Tobias Brackmann (Manager Fire Protect and Operation Safety at KWS) on behalf of the whole team by Katharina Vonderschmidt (Account Manager at FM Global). The award confirms that the location now meets the very highest industry standards in terms of protection of property. |
KWS surfing tip
The intranet site Local Ambassador describes our new local onboarding program. It is aimed at colleagues at all our locations worldwide who want to help make the induction period at our company a pleasurable experience for our new employees. The Local Ambassadors act as role models for our corporate culture of “Respect, Support & Prosper,” are contact persons in the first weeks and organize onboarding events. The requirements for applying to become one can be found in the intranet. The Local Ambassadors will be listed there as they are appointed. |
Campaign in Ukraine: Rye brings back memories
More than two million video views and a new awareness of rye: KWS Ukraine's RYE COUNTRY project has been a success in awakening lost traditional values in society.
Leading European farmers have already chosen rye as a priority crop for sowing. The trend of rye growing and consumption is also starting to reemerge in Ukraine. The country is among the Top 10 global rye producers and has a leading position among international exporters. The higher yield figures of new rye hybrids (up to 25%) make the crop a cost-efficient and priority choice for local farmers. Hybrid rye is experiencing a revival in Ukraine due to the crop’s high yield characteristics, plasticity, adaptiveness and resistance to abiotic factors and stress.
Thus, the idea for RYE COUNTRY project was obvious for KWS colleagues in Ukraine. The project’s vision was developed to increase production volumes of winter hybrid rye in the country. Each of us has a story, whether from childhood or adulthood, when we first tasted something made from rye flour. Therefore, the full name of the project emerged quickly – RYE COUNTRY: THE STORY OF EACH OF US.
The project, with its main coverage on YouTube, has become a highlight of the market development strategy for the Cereals BU in Ukraine. It consists of 10 video episodes with rye recipes and 10 guests from different business sectors.
The guests are seen preparing different dishes from rye flour and discussing its benefits for health, as well as the secrets of rye production and hybrid rye processing. Yevhen Klopotenko, one of the most famous chefs in Ukraine, is the project’s host.
The project’s digital advertising campaign has been implemented with very good results: two million video views, four million reach, 200 mentions in media and 6.4 million users in total coverage for digital advertising.
Apart from successful rough statistics, it is also very satisfying to understand that the RYE COUNTRY project helped people to try out rye food and check their own culinary skills – especially while restaurant outings were limited during COVID times.
The landing page of the project is here.
All videos from the campaign are here.
Tomato premiere
The team at KWS Vegetables Mexico took part in Expo AgroAlimentaria Guanajuato in Mexico, one of the most important agricultural fairs in Latin America, as an exhibitor in November. 120,000 visitors took the opportunity to check out what exhibitors from over 52 countries had to offer over the four-day show. This fair is one of the key annual events in the marketing and communication strategy of BU Vegetables. KWS started doing business in vegetables in Mexico just back in April 2021 and the main objective of attending was therefore to position the KWS brand and product portfolio. The event is a good opportunity to meet dealers and customers and get a better understanding of trends in the industry. Our colleagues at KWS Vegetables Mexico helped out customers at the stall and also in a greenhouse where KWS tomato varieties were on display. |
Corn Europe/Asia: New management
Simon Walter will take over as manager of the Business Unit Corn and Oilseeds Europe/Asia effective January 1. He succeeds Nicolás Wielandt, who has been appointed to the Executive Board. Simon Walter will then be in charge of production, controlling and the Sub Business Unit Sunflower. He will share responsibility for the Business Unit with Volker Utesch, who will continue as Head of Business Development, Marketing and Product Management. Both of them will also share responsibility for the various regions. Simon Walter joined KWS from Daimler in 2019 and was initially in charge of Business Development at the BU. The industrial engineer was then named Regional Director for Central Europe at KWS. |
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