KRONEN was originally founded in 1978. In 1998, Rudolf Hans Zillgith took over the company’s business division of machines for the salad, fruit and vegetable industry and took the helm as its Managing Director. As a result, the company, the headquarters and production facility of which are based in Kehl-Goldscheuer, Germany, has now been owned and managed by the Zillgith family for 25 years. On July 21, in recognition of this special occasion, Alwin Wagner, Deputy Managing Director of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Southern Upper Rhine Area (IHK Südlicher Oberrhein), presented Rudolf Hans Zillgith with the IHK anniversary certificate and congratulated him on his entrepreneurial foresight and achievements.

In 1998, Rudolf Hans Zillgith transformed the former business division of machines for the salad, fruit and vegetable industry into an independent company and took the helm as the Managing Director of the new KRONEN GmbH. Under his management and with a strategy of further orientation toward exports, the company soon established itself in international markets and achieved impressive growth.

In celebration of this year’s company anniversary, Alwin Wagner, Deputy Managing Director of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the Southern Upper Rhine Area (IHK Südlicher Oberrhein), presented Rudolf Hans Zillgith with the IHK anniversary certificate and congratulated him on his entrepreneurial foresight and achievements. Given that the senior manager also recently celebrated his 80th birthday, the entire Management Board and KRONEN employees also shared their congratulations.

“I am happy and proud to be able to look back on such a successful company history. The takeover and further development of KRONEN GmbH was a decisive step for me personally, and I have never regretted it,” declared Rudolf Hans Zillgith, celebrating his 25 years as Managing Director. “I am delighted that we have gotten to where we are today. It was definitely not always easy – after all, entrepreneurs and companies repeatedly face major challenges. In fact, the current world, cost and supply situation is a prime example. Nonetheless, here at KRONEN, we have always mastered such challenges.”

The company owner also places value on ensuring that KRONEN is and remains family-run and future-oriented. In 1999, trat mit the next generation of the Zillgith family joined the company when the qualified engineer (with a German Dipl. Ing (FH) degree) Stephan Zillgith took on the role of Technical Manager. He went on to take over joint responsibility of KRONEN as a Managing Director in 2010. At the family company’s anniversary gala in 2018, its senior manager, Rudolf Hans Zillgith, announced the restructuring of the Management Board: He and Stephan Zillgith were joined by Eric Lefebvre and Johannes Günther, both of whom had been working in management positions at the company for many years, as members of the Management Board and shareholders of KRONEN. 

This change rejuvenated the Management Board and combined the expertise and experience of four managers to put the company in a perfect position to handle the wide range of issues awaiting it in the future. Each of the four Managing Directors is responsible for a specific company division. The Management Board is completed by its Authorized Signatory, Robert Lankhart.

“The industry prospects are positive, and salad, fruit and vegetable processing has maintained its status as a growth market on a global level,” states Rudolf Hans Zillgith. “Although the increase in costs had a negative impact on our result in 2022, despite a new sales record, we are looking to the future with an optimistic mindset. The order situation is still good, and I am confident that KRONEN is well equipped and above all ready and able to develop further as a company and to lead the way with its future-oriented approach.”

KRONEN has made a name for itself worldwide as a producer and supplier of stand-alone machines, special-purpose machines and high-tech processing facilities for salad, fruit and vegetable processing. The headquarters and production facility of the medium-sized family company are based in Kehl-Goldscheuer, Germany. The location, which is also home to KRONEN’s own exhibition and training facilities, was constructed in 2004. Its production area was then doubled in size to cover 5,000 square meters in 2008. KRONEN currently employs more than 130 members of staff, has representatives providing personal support for customers in more than 80 countries, and delivers its solutions to around 120 nations worldwide. 

About KRONEN GmbH

KRONEN is a family-managed globally operating producer and supplier of stand-alone machines, special-purpose machines and high-tech processing facilities for the fresh-cut industry. The product program of KRONEN and its partners covers fruit, vegetable and lettuce processing: from preparing, cutting, washing, drying, dewatering, peeling and sterilizing right through to packaging. KRONEN additionally offers technical solutions for meat and fish, baked goods, ready meals, dried and frozen products, and pet food.
The company, which is based in the German town of Kehl am Rhein and has a second production site in the nearby town of Achern, currently employs more than 130 members of staff, has representations in over 80 countries worldwide, and supplies its products to more than 120 nations all over the globe.
With more than 40 years of experience in food technology, KRONEN preserves traditional values such as quality awareness and relies on a sustainable, holistic approach for the hygienic and reliable production of healthy food. KRONEN considers itself to be a think tank that provides innovative solutions to benefit its customers and meet all their needs. It guarantees top-quality advice and planning expertise in close cooperation with the industry and research establishments.

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Do you require more or other material? We are happy to help! Feel free to contact us here: presse@kronen.eu, T +49 7854 9646-160 / -161.