ROHDE continues to implement its long-term management restructuring and the development of four cross-location business units. With the reinforcement of the management board of Helmut Rohde GmbH with shareholder Manuel Rohde, another foundation stone has been laid for a sustainable and prosperous future.
2022 was a successful and groundbreaking year for Helmut Rohde GmbH. In addition to the company’s 40th anniversary, ROHDE also celebrated 30 years of production in Dyjákovice (Czech Republic) and will generate annual sales of more than €15 million for the first time.
Today’s international company was founded in 1982 by the mechanical engineer and enthusiastic hobby ceramist Helmut Rohde and established itself in the years that followed as a successful manufacturer of kilns.
In addition to the founder Helmut Rohde, Benjamin Rohde has been the managing director since 2002 and is responsible for development, production and sales. In 2014, the management board was supplemented by Roland Müller for the areas of finance, logistics and purchasing, thus ensuring continuous growth over the years.
With the short-term departure of founder Helmut Rohde from the business operations in 2015 for health reasons, a company succession plan was implemented. Since then, his four sons, Benjamin, Manuel, Stefan and Florian Rohde, have held shares in the family company in Prutting.
In the years that followed, the shareholders Manuel, Stefan and Florian also joined the company operationally in various positions. Since then, a common and long-term strategy has been developed in close cooperation between the owners and the management board to place the family company on a secure foundation for the future.
Four business units and a new management structure
As part of the successful and emotional history of the medium-sized family company, Manuel Rohde is strengthening the management board of Helmut Rohde GmbH from November 1, 2022 and taking over the primary responsibility for the business unit sales.
In the future, the previous Head of Marketing will be responsible for the two sales departments as well as service and support in addition to marketing in the sales division and will continue the sustainable implementation of the corporate strategy. According to Manuel Rohde, a particular focus will be on the increasing importance of brand management and the special challenges of digitalization.
Benjamin Rohde sees a milestone in the development at ROHDE in the distribution of management responsibility over five shoulders and confirms that the company is well-positioned for the coming years.
“With the expanded management and the new management structure, the basis for constant but above all healthy growth and continued successful positioning in the market has been created,” says Benjamin Rohde, adding, “we are proud and happy that Manuel is an outstanding manager from our own ranks and family and will follow in our footsteps.”
As Chairman of the Management Board, Benjamin Rohde will be primarily responsible for technology and the development of successful ROHDE products. His extensive network in the ceramics industry means he is crucial for the family company’s continued development.
Roland Müller is the executive director responsible for finance and is supported by Stefan Rohde, who complements the management team at ROHDE in his function as the Head of Finance and Accounting and authorised signatory in both companies. In addition, Florian Rohde, Head of Sales, Industrial Division and a member of the management team of the production plant since 2021, will assume overall responsibility for production from Benjamin Rohde by 2024.
About the Helmut ROHDE GmbH
Helmut Rohde GmbH has more than 40 years of experience in the construction of kilns and is a leading manufacturer of kilns in Europe. The product portfolio includes kiln and equipment for ceramics and glass, as well as series products and customized systems in the field of industrial heat treatment.
