The global markets are is changing quite rapidly and thus makes it necessary to team up more intensively and to review as well as re-align the strategy in a much shorter time span. So it was obvious to choose the motto “Facing New Challenges Together” for KÜHME’s 1st international Sales Conference.
On that occasion more than 40 Valves Experts and Sales Specialists from more than 16 worldwide countries joint together for the 2-days conference in Bochum, Germany. The conference was hosted in the German Mining Museum in Bochum. Bochum is located in the center of the Ruhr Valley which was the hotspot for the German Coal Mining Industry. The German Mining Museum enables the visitor to explore the entire development of modern Coal Mining Technology. Therefore during the two days it was confirmed that this location was the excellent choice for the KÜHME Sales Conference.
The very comprehensive conference program contained a wide variation of lectures and a number of practical exercises as well as plenty of room for valuable discussions. Target of the conference was to share knowledge, to learn new things and to network more closely together.
The first day started with the get together and the introduction of all participants. This was then followed by detailed information and a number of market reports out of several areas around the globe presented by the sales partners. After that there were several experience reports and case studies from various customer installations with KÜHME special valves. During the break with sunny weather there was a good opportunity to climb up to the top of the mining tower and to enjoy the marvelous clear view over the entire Ruhr Valley and to take some group photos.
As one of the next topics also KÜHME Management Team shared details about the mid-term strategy planning for the company.
The first day was completed with a joint dinner. The open atmosphere combined with live cooking was valuable time for all conference members to establish new contacts, to intensively discuss about valve applications but also to share some private views.
The extensive company tour at KÜHME’s Production Plant in Bochum was the opener of the second day of conference. During that tour there were multiple demos on the orders which were under progress in the assembly halls. One of the highlights in the production was the GE order with 16 compact tailor made Burner Valve Stations for a new Polish Power Plant. As a brand new extension also the new KÜHME Service Center was introduced during the production tour.
After being back to the conference location the 2nd day was continued with technical presentations on new products and applications. Amongst a number of presentations highlights were the technical paper about the modern Combined Quick Closing and Control Valve and KÜHME’s innovative Gas Valve Units (GVU) for Marine Applications.
There was a very positive feedback from all participants and consequently it was agreed to schedule the next KÜHME Sales Conference on a frequent basis. During the two days of conference there were a number of fresh ideas for new applications and product developments. The conference was successful and delivered a superb platform to exchange knowledge and to work more close together. It fully proofs the motto: “Facing New Challenges Together”