Extrusion International 3-2024

14 Extrusion International 3/2024 INDUSTRY NEWS New Skills Into the Family Business with the Fourth Generation  Jan Karnath, a nephew of Bernd Reifenhäuser (CEO) and Ulrich Reifenhäuser (CSO), is the first representative of the fourth generation to join the operational busi- ness of the Reifenhäuser Group. His start paves the way for the continuous development of the family business and reinforces the transformation from machine man- ufacturer to solution provider: As the company's first Chief Digital Officer, Karnath will henceforth be respon - sible for and steer the Group's digital transformation. "We are delighted that our family business is now being supported by the fourth generation," says Bernd Reifenhäuser. "Jan's appointment strengthens our foundation, which is based on values such as conti - nuity, stability and trust. At the same time, Jan and his role in the company stand for the continuous further de- velopment of the group of companies. We will continue to expand our digitalization offerings with a strong market and customer focus in line with our pioneering spirit. Jan brings with him all the skills from his previous career to manage this development responsibly." In his new position as Chief Digital Officer, Jan Kar - nath is responsible for the strategic and operational development of all Reifenhäuser units whose business model is based on digital products: The tech start-up RE: GmbH, which specializes in connecting entire produc - tion facilities, AR:DEL, Reifenhäuser's digital education and learning platform, and R-Cycle, the digital product passport for sustainable packaging. In addition, Kar - nath is responsible for the Group's overall digital strat- egy: he will continue to develop the portfolio of digital products and ensure that all relevant digital initiatives are integrated into strategic planning. Jan Karnath says: "As a shareholder, I have been ob - serving Reifenhäuser's development for many years. I am all the more pleased that I can now actively shape the future of the family business with my expertise. Our goal is to further expand our digital portfolio and give our customers a head start in terms of efficiency, trans - parency and quality." Jan Karnath has over 15 years of experience in the digital business. He studied Management in Vienna and Digital Transformation & Innovation at Stanford Univer- sity. He then began his career at SAP and has since suc- cessfully led several digital companies as a board mem- ber and founder. Reifenhäuser Gruppe www.reifenhauser.com From left to right: Ulrich Reifenhäuser (CSO), Bernd Reifenhäuser (CEO) and Jan Karnath (CDO) (Picture: Reifenhäuser) 95th Birthday of Company Founder  Just before his birthday, Dr Karl Busch traveled to the Netherlands with his wife Ayhan to attend this year’s international Busch Group Manager Meeting. The co-founder and co-owner of the world market lead- er, who celebrated his 95th birthday on April 20, 2024, still follows the product presentations of his company with great interest. Together with his wife Ayhan and their children Ayla, Sami and Kaya Busch, Dr Karl Busch manages the worldwide group. In over 60 years, the Busch Group has grown to become the second largest vacuum pump manufacturer in the world. It all began as a small two- person company founded by Dr Karl Busch and his wife Ayhan in Schopfheim in 1963. Engineer and inventor Karl Busch met his wife Ayhan during his mechanical engineering studies in Munich, where she studied dentistry. Prior to his studies, he at - tended and graduated from the upper secondary school in Schopfheim, while working as an apprentice mechan - ical fitter at the same time. In 1960, he obtained his doc - torate at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) on the topic of friction and wear in water-lubricated rotary compressors. After that, he first worked at his grandfa - ther Karl Wittig’s company in Schopfheim as a design manager before he and his wife founded Dr.-Ing. Karl Dr Karl Busch with his wife Ayhan and their children Ayla, Sami and Kaya