Kuka Closes Two Locations in France
Kuka AG, a company that specializes in automating industrial manufacturing processes, is reorganizing its business in France and announced the closing of two Kuka Systems locations in Tours and Montigny near Paris. Dr. Lothar Bakowsky becomes Chairman of the Management Board at Kuka Roboter GmbH, the Robotics Division.
Kuka’s future strategy will be to concentrate on the robotics business of its subsidiary Kuka Automatisme + Robotique S.A.S., based in Villebon sur Yvette. The goal is to increase sales of robotic applications to the general industry.
Following the cost reduction programs already implemented, business in France is to be reorganized. Measures include closing Kuka Systems in Tours and Montigny Le Bretonneux near Paris. A severance agreement is to be put into place in coordination with the works councils and union representatives for the 144 workers affected. All existing contracts with the customers of Kuka Systems France will be fulfilled and are considered in the reorganization. Systems customers in France will be served in future by Kuka Systems in Germany.
On 20 July Dr. Lothar Bakowksy, member of the Kuka AG Management Board, was appointed Chairman of the Management Board at Kuka Roboter GmbH, effective 1 September 2009. Lothar Bakowsky (56) has a long experience in management. After finishing studies in Physics and obtaining a doctorate degree he started his career at Messer Griesheim as a Project Manager for Laser, and then headed the business unit Laser from 1990. From 1993 to 1998 he worked for Kuka Roboter GmbH, first in charge of international sales, then of all sales departments. In 1999 he went to Palfinger AG, Salzburg, and was responsible for sales, marketing and technical innovation as a member of the management. Since 2001 Dr. Bakowsky has been sole Managing Director at Hekuma GmbH, Eching, a company specialising in automation solutions.
As a member of the Management Board at the Kuka Robotics Division, Dr. Bakowsky will be heading sales including product management and marketing. Manfred Gundel, temporary chairman of the Management Board at the Kuka Robotics Division, becomes deputy chairman of the Managing Board from 1 September, in charge of technology including production, purchasing as well as research and development.
Related posts:
- 160,000 Business Customers for T-Home
- ABB Delivers 2,100 Robots
- France: Record Deficit in Foreign Trade
- „Woman Power“ at Siemens
- Procurement for New Daimler Supplier Model
Comments
Leave a Reply
