In his role as managing director, Arno Werkzeuge has evolved from a sales company for turning tools to a developer, manufacturer, and complete provider of cutting tools with high consulting and solution competence. Alongside steady growth, smart internationalization, and branching out, Storf has also paved the way for the generational change early on.
As much as I wish my father a happy retirement, he will be greatly missed for his down-to-earth and thoughtful approach to company and employee management,” emphasizes Simon Storf, one of the managing directors at Arno Werkzeuge and son of Josef Storf. After 37 years with the company, the tool manufacturer has bid farewell to its influential figure as he retires. In 1988, Josef Storf joined Arno Werkzeuge from the then Ceratizit predecessor Plansee Tizit. Since 2004, he has led the company together with majority owner Klaus-Michael Arnold as managing director. During this time, Arno Werkzeuge has transformed from a predominantly sales company for turning tools into an innovative developer, quality-conscious manufacturer, and reliable complete provider of cutting tools with high consulting and solution competence.
Down-to-earth personality with approachable leadership style
Thus, the company has steadily and sustainably grown. This is reflected not only in two new buildings in 2008 and 2018 but also in a consistent internationalization with branches in Great Britain (2004), Italy (2005), the USA (2009), and Singapore (2014). The basis for this was the restructuring of sales as well as regular innovations with a product offensive starting in 2012, highlighted by the parting-off systems SA and the patented cooling system ACS. Necessary capacity adjustments and regular investments in people and machines have also characterized the last decades.
Generational change paved early
Storf leads the company as a technically skilled leader with a calm and composed demeanor, a sensitive human touch, and an approachable leadership style. Highly respected both internally and externally, he always thinks of good products in high quality with the best possible customer benefits. In the spirit of a Swabian family-run medium-sized business, he has always kept an eye on long-term success rather than quarterly reports. It is also fitting that the succession plan has been consistently developed since 2021, with Jaqueline Arnold and Simon Storf from the next generations of the owner families actively serving as managing directors since 2021.
At a small internal company celebration, the Arnold family and the entire staff wished him all the best and good health for his 'unretirement.' Klaus-Michael Arnold personally thanked him 'for decades of great collaboration with loyalty and fidelity, as well as for being a role model in innovation, humanity, fairness, diligence, and commitment in the service of the Arno team.' Thus, Josef Storf can enjoy his well-deserved retirement starting in April – even though many will miss him.
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