After 40 years in the access platform industry, Rolf Kulawik, the former managing director of Ruthmann, retired on June 30, 2022.
Rolf Kulawik began his career at Ruthmann in 2009 as service manager International and was appointed Managing Director the following year.
When he took over the management of Ruthmann, he continued to develop the company successfully. While sales in 2010 were just under 50 million euros, the annual group sales of Ruthmann have now grown to around 170 million euros.
"I have enjoyed many exciting new developments and the many challenges, large and small, in the industry," said Kulawik. "A long, successful activity creates deep satisfaction and that is only possible with a great team, which I would like to thank at this point. But this would also not have been possible without our customers, dealers, suppliers and service providers, so a big thank you to our business partners as well."
During his career at Ruthmann, Kulawik acquired companies in Switzerland, Italy, the USA and Hungary, of which he was managing director/ chairman of the board. He liquidated the Ruthmann companies in Poland, Bulgaria and Hungary and switched to a dealership model.
Since 2021, Ruthmann has been part of Time Manufacturing Company in the United States. Kulawik accompanied two changes of ownership (Sterling, H.I.G.) and was a member of the Board of Time Manufacturing.
On July 1, 2022, Uwe Strotmann became the new Managing Director of Ruthmann. He has been with the company since 1994 and has been active in the management team as overall sales manager and authorized signatory since 2010.
"With Uwe Strotmann, an experienced manager is taking over my role. He stands for the success of Ruthmann and thus ensures continuity," said Kulawik.
Strotmann also took over the position for Ruthmann on the Board of Time Manufacturing Company in Waco, Texas.
He will be assisted by a proven management team, which is composed of the following individuals, Annette Timpe, Head of Human Resources, Stefan Linnemann, head of overall sales, marketing and used equipment, Uwe Stapper, commercial manager, and Dr. Nico Krekeler, head of development and design.
"We owe Rolf Kulawik the uninterrupted success of the last 13 years and are glad that he will continue to be associated with Ruthmann and will be available to us in an advisory capacity," said Strotmann.
Today, Ruthmann is headquartered in Gescher, Germany, and has more than 600 employees. The company also has locations in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and Texas.
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