Dear colleagues,

The coronavirus does not stop at borders. We are all affected by the pandemic and can hardly escape the pictures and news: Schools and nurseries are closed, aircraft are grounded, events have been cancelled, shopping malls are empty. The missing contact with friends and relatives is a painful experience, especially now that Easter is beginning in many countries. Even if this time will hopefully pass soon - we will remember it for a long time and everyone will have her or his very own experiences. For many it is also a moment to pause and reflect on what is really important.

Especially these days it becomes clear: Health is the highest good and it has to be protected. It goes without saying that we at KWS comply with the measures that apply in the respective countries and have developed our own measures to protect our employees. You can still find these in our intranet. It is a pleasing sign that the employees who have been infected with the coronavirus are all well.

What impresses me most is how you, dear colleagues, are tackling these exceptional challenges courageously and how you together ensured that we were able to deliver our seeds to farmers in time for the spring sowing season and in the usual high quality. The close relationship with our customers is being maintained and increasingly managed via digital channels. In doing so, you are making a very important contribution to meeting a basic human need and ensuring that high quality food is available to us all. And by continuing our work in multiplication and breeding, you will ensure that KWS' business moves forward.

I am very emotional about the reports from the KWS locations worldwide. Everywhere, employees are working together to find solutions for how business can be continued locally - whether in production, logistics, the laboratory or even the home office. They show the KWS spirit, which constantly releases new power. The solidarity among colleagues is enormous. Mutual support, respect and driving things forward - that is KWS, or rather: you are KWS! On behalf of the Executive Board, I would like to thank you once again for your outstanding commitment.

Stay healthy!

Hagen Duenbostel
Spokesman of the Executive Board