After 25 years in management, Reiner Kirschner bids farewell to the company ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH. He hands over his shares to Yannik Zecha, the son of Stefan Zecha. From April 2025, father and son will jointly lead the corporate group and actively shape the future of ZECHA. With this change, ZECHA is committed to a consistent continuation of the corporate strategy and a stronger focus on cutting tools.
Evolving from the environment of the Pforzheim watch industry, ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH has become an important entity in the manufacturing of micro-tools. With the experience and expertise gained over more than 60 years of company history, the company from Königsbach-Stein is a partner and problem solver for precision tools for micro-machining as well as in stamping and forming technology worldwide. ZECHA stands for quality, high-end technology, and innovation – a tradition that is now being passed on to the next generation.
Reiner Kirschner: A Life for Precision Tools
Reiner Kirschner significantly contributed to the growth and success story of ZECHA with his technical expertise: His professional career began in 1976 with an apprenticeship as a toolmaker. He continuously furthered his education – among other qualifications as a state-certified master toolmaker and designer. Until 1996, he gained extensive experience as a department head in toolmaking before joining ZECHA as a sales representative. In 2000, he became a managing partner. Under the joint leadership with Stefan Zecha, ZECHA developed into an internationally recognized provider of high-precision micro-tools.
I would like to thank Stefan Zecha for the constructive and creative time with all its ups and downs. A heartfelt thank you also goes to the entire workforce, who contributed to the company's positive standing. The time with you was enriching for me,” said Reiner Kirschner. Stefan Zecha, managing director of ZECHA, also honors the contributions of his long-time business partner: “I could always rely on Reiner Kirschner. When you see where we stand today, it would not have been possible without him. Therefore, I thank him for all the years we have walked this path together.”
In addition to the headquarters in Königsbach-Stein, ZECHA is well positioned internationally and works with strong partners, such as ZECHA Precision Tools Ltd. in India with 140 employees. A closely-knit distribution network in the D-A-CH region and Europe ensures fast and reliable supply of customers with high-quality tool solutions. Additionally, the ZECHA group includes AlienTools GmbH (Berlin) for the global online distribution of dental and precision tools, as well as CIMTRODE GmbH (Austria) specializing in measurement technology.
Reiner Kirschner adds: “After 29 years, of which 25 years as technical managing director at ZECHA, I have decided to end my activity for age reasons. It was important to me to hand over what has been built over decades into good hands. With Yannik Zecha, I have found a good succession plan for the future of ZECHA.” Yannik Zecha takes over the shares in ZECHA, ZECHA Precision Tools Ltd., AlienTools, and CIMTRODE, thus continuing the growth path of the company as the third “Zecha” generation.
Yannik Zecha: The third generation takes over
Yannik Zecha, born in 1998, completed a dual mechanical engineering degree in Karlsruhe after graduating from high school in 2017. He gained practical experience during this time at ZECHA. He then studied International Management in Heidelberg, including a semester abroad at San Diego State University in California. His diverse education lays the ideal foundation for his new role in the company's management. “First, I would like to thank Reiner Kirschner for his trust in me. From a young age, I was able to witness how the company, thanks to him, has developed positively and grown to its current size. It was impressive how my father and Reiner Kirschner divided the tasks – each brought their strengths, which made them a perfect team,” he emphasizes.
He stresses: “After Reiner Kirschner's decision last year, I have decided after careful consideration to take this step and join the management. For me, it is still early to take on this entire responsibility, but I rely on the support of the employees, as before. I am aware that I need time to grow into my role, which is why I am glad that my father will accompany my path for a long time.”
Future through Innovation and High-End Technology
ZECHA is at home in the niche and offers solutions for the machining of titanium, stainless steel, and special materials in medical and dental technology. This focus on niche markets is a great advantage for ZECHA amidst the changes in the automotive industry. Thus, the company is little affected by the changes in the industry and remains stable and future-proof.
Despite all the specialization in micro-tools, the company maintains a broad perspective and never loses sight of the spirit of innovation. Many investments flow into new technologies and developments. This enables the medium-sized company to keep pace in many industries and to open up new business areas. For this, ZECHA also relies on the expertise, technology transfer, and innovative strength of high-quality technology suppliers from areas such as grinding technology, carbide, and coating. A milestone was marked, for example, in 2015 with the launch of the LaserSmart 500 laser processing center for machining ultra-hard materials such as CBN, PKD, CVD. Today, ZECHA already has four more state-of-the-art femto-laser systems – a technology that Yannik Zecha wants to expand further.
I have long been accompanying the 3D laser at ZECHA as a project engineer. I see great potential in this technology for future developments. Therefore, I will consistently continue down this path and focus more on cutting tools,” explains Yannik Zecha.
A strong duo for the future
With the new dual leadership of Stefan and Yannik Zecha, ZECHA remains a reliable partner for precise and innovative tool solutions in machining, medical technology, the watch industry, mold making, and many other sectors.
Stefan Zecha puts it succinctly: "I am glad that Yannik has already taken this path in his training and can thus evaluate what it means to follow in our footsteps – which are certainly not small. I would have understood if he had chosen otherwise. It is important to me that he does it with passion, that he enjoys it, and that he is capable of it. I thank my son for taking on this responsibility as the third generation. He didn't have to do it – but it makes me incredibly proud that he does. I look forward to many years in which we will continue to lead ZECHA to success together."
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