In remembrance of Jochen Beyes

Jochen Beyes, KWS’ Chief Financial Officer for many years, passed away in Potsdam, the city he made his new home, on January 20, 2021, at the age of 79. Born in Lüneburg on November 18, 1941, he grew up in the countryside, in Irmenseul near Alfeld, where his family had a farm. After training as an agricultural engineer at the Michelsen School in Hildesheim, he graduated in economics from the University of Göttingen.

On March 1, 1970, Jochen Beyes began his career as assistant to the institute manager of what was then KLEINWANZLEBENER SAATZUCHT AG vorm. Rabbethge & Giesecke and became familiarized with how the breeding of various crops was organized. Building on that experience, his tasks then included administration of the institute, including the introduction of cost accounting.

In 1972 Jochen Beyes laid the foundation for digitization at KWS by rolling out electronic data processing in the company’s business administration. The first IT system was the size of a large refrigerator and from then on was used for payroll accounting and for other tasks relating to bookkeeping, sales, the granary and breeding.

“JB” – the initials by which Jochen Beyes was called at the company – drove the further development of business administration at KWS, with the result that he was appointed head of the Business Administration/Controlling department and given general commercial power of representation in 1980. Structured reporting and corporate controlling had been unknown at KWS up to then. Of course, Jochen Beyes did not always make himself popular to begin with when he introduced cost accounting, cost centers, budgeting and medium-term planning. Pointed comments (“What’s the point of all that? I used to go to the board and say I need a million – and I got it.”) were testimony to the culture change that had already taken placed at other companies.

Starting in 1983, Jochen Beyes assumed responsibility for KWS’ activities in the U.S., in particular Coker’s Pedigreed Seed Company in South Carolina, and from 1985 on he established the Corn unit, including oil and fodder plants. In 1989 he was appointed a deputy member of KWS’ Executive Board and then – when his predecessor Kurt Quensell departed – as a full member from 1991 on. In his 14 years of work on the board, Jochen Beyes was responsible for Finance and for the Corn product unit, whose successful expansion he continued to drive, in particular in North America with the establishment of our joint venture AgReliant in cooperation with the French seed company LIMAGRAIN.

JB was a born fighter and was known as a “terrier” who would not let loose if he was convinced about something. He was regarded as an excellent networker, both within KWS and outside it with business partners, with whom he also forged personal ties. He entered negotiations with clear visions and objectives, which his colleagues occasionally believed were unattainable, and often produced surprising results.

His talent for using flip charts was especially helpful in persuading counterparts. He believed that ideas had to be illustrated visibly and vividly for the other people involved in talks. Within a short space of time a concept was born and demonstrated to masterly effect: “They call me the Picasso of flip charts here at the company,” said a delighted JB himself about the recognition accorded to his talent.

Outside KWS, Jochen Beyes also played an active part in projects to improve the infrastructure in the Einbeck region. He was a fair sportsman and an enthusiastic tennis player. Regular walks with his dog also ensured that he got exercise in the fresh air.

After 33 years of service for the company, Jochen Beyes was succeeded as Chief Financial Officer by Hagen Duenbostel in 2003 and increasingly devoted his time to nurturing his personal network and to his charity activities – in particular preservation of Einbeck’s BürgerSpital hospital – before moving to Potsdam with his wife Hildegard.

We remember Jochen Beyes with great gratitude and regret that his life ended so early. Our deepest sympathies go to his wife, his sons Niklas and Timon and his grandchildren. |