Interview Dr Haio Harms -Chairman, Kelheim Fibres GmbH
Founded as "Süddeutsche Spinnfaser AG", Kulmbach in 1935 and renamed to its present name in 2004 by the holding company Equi Fibres, the company Kelheim Fibres GmbH is one of the leading producers of viscose speciality fibres. By its production plant in Kelheim in Southern Germany, Kelheim Fibres operates on a world-wide scale. Its products- viscose fibres are used in diverse applications as fashion, hygiene and medical products or the nonwovens industry.
Dr Haio Harms is the Chairman of the Management Board of Kelheim Fibres GmbH.
Dr Harms, born 1950, started his career in Austria in 1983 and has worked for Lenzing AG for 25 years, holding management positions in Asia (Technical Director, then CEO of the Lenzing subsidiary P.T. South Pacific Viscose) and in Austria (amongst others: Head of Strategic Planning Head of R&D, Head of Legal Services). Before taking the assignment in Kelheim, he held the position of an Executive Vice President.
Dr Harms has a thorough knowledge of the fibre industry throughout the world. He has international management experience and is known in the industry as a specialist for cellulose fibre technology.
In a talk with Face2Face team, Dr Haio Harms imparts his views on the current market of Synthetic fibres and lucrative Nonwovens sector.
fibre2fashion:
Can you please run down the memory lane and apprise us about major milestones in the textile journey of Kelheim Fibres?
Dr Haio Harms
Since the foundation of our plant in the 1930s, German textile industry experienced a serious change. And so did Kelheim Fibres. The most important decisions were probably made during the 1990s: extension of our portfolio in order to serve other industrial sector (Nonwovens) and a strong focus on specialities (Viloft, Tow, Spundyed)
fibre2fashion:
Which all countries are your clientele? What are end uses of your products? Can you support this with Kelheim’s sector wise market shares?
Dr Haio Harms
- We serve the global market. We have customers in more than 40 countries.
- 60% Nonwovens – 40% Textile
- Overall: more than 60% Specialities
fibre2fashion:
Recently, your company has joined hands with Lenzing for your product “Dolan”. Can you provide us more information about this agreement?
Dr Haio Harms
As of 31 December 2007 Dolan GmbH, a producer of specialty fibers based in Kelheim (Germany), became a full subsidiary of Lenzing Plastics. The acquired company generated sales of about EUR 25 million (2007) and employs a staff of about 100.
Dolan produces a range of applications based on acrylic fibers for outdoor products, in particular high quality textile home architecture (sunshades, small sunsails, cover fabrics for outdoor furniture and tops for convertibles and boats). Fibers by Dolan are highly photostatic and weather-proof, as well as highly resistant to wear and decomposition. Dolan, moreover, produces fibers for technical applications, such as waste gas filtration systems and reinforcements for friction linings and construction materials under the brand name Dolanit.
The Lenzing Group's plastic specialist Lenzing Plastics acquired Dolan GmbH to continue to grow dynamically: Dolan had previously been a full subsidiary of Kelheim, where Lenzing holds a 35% share now. Dolan’s products perfectly complement the product portfolio of Lenzing Plastics, especially in outdoor products and filtration technology.
The recent acquisition increases the staff of Lenzing Plastics to about 930 in 6 locations in Europe and the USA. Sales for 2008 are expected to reach about EUR 190.0 million.
fibre2fashion:
Market today is full of turmoil due to issues like inflation, currency fluctuation, and crude-oil price escalation. How poised is Synthetic fibres industry to grow in such a milieu. What trends can be forecasted here after?
Dr Haio Harms
Textiles are basic human needs: People need to dress in spite of turmoil.
Viscose fibres – like all cellulosic fibres - have an advantage over synthetic fibres: they have a natural origin.
fibre2fashion:
Do you think the future market will be marked by fibre producers diversifying to technical textiles sector? What business potential does this sector has to offer?
Dr Haio Harms
It has immense potential. There are a lot of new textile applications which promise to be interesting for us and all fibre producers, in the medical sector for example.
fibre2fashion:
Would this be a good omen; for it points to be obviously adding the fuel to fire of competition from the companies on your equal standing? How would you like to be prepared for this?
Dr Haio Harms
Whenever there’s an interesting market there is competition too–that’s nothing new for Kelheim Fibres. We are used to it and we stand unique due to our high quality and due to our excellent service.
fibre2fashion:
What is Kelheim’s contribution in protecting the environment?
Dr Haio Harms
First of all, we have a fibre of natural origin which is 100% biodegradable.
Regarding the production process we dispose of state of the art recovery plants and we meet very high environmental standards.
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