30.06.2023
Special Memories With Felix Kleinert From 25 Years NETZSCH
We say thank you! Felix Kleinert was CEO at NETZSCH Pumps & Systems for almost 25 years, making the company a global specialist for handling complex media over the past quarter century.
During this time, he had a decisive influence on the company and his companions. However, the CEO took his well-deserved retirement at the end of the business year. Long-time colleagues and close confidants report on special and sometimes funny moments with him over the past quarter of a century.
Jens Heidkötter: “It was always a pleasure to work with you“
Dear Felix, as you might conclude from the photo, it wasn't always a party in the three and a half years we worked together. However, working with you has always been a pleasure! We were able to move forward a lot of things, especially our NETZSCH Campus in Waldkraiburg. I will miss you here. Although we didn't always agree, I hardly know anyone with whom I worked as well as I did with you. I learned a lot from you, and I am very grateful. Your legacy for NETZSCH Pumpen & Systeme GmbH, the business unit and the entire NETZSCH Group cannot be overestimated. We are excellently positioned and have a great team. Despite your farewell, this makes me very optimistic about the future - the best is still ahead! Fortunately, you are not out of the world. I would be thrilled to see you again regularly, if you like, just at lunchtime or with our wives Kerstin and Mila on one of our terraces. I wish you a great start to retirement. Enjoy the time with Kerstin, your family and friends - and please: Stay healthy and take care of yourself!
Jens Heidkötter – Managing Director NETZSCH Pumps & Systems
Thomas Streubel: “Your approach to team culture was a turning point”
Dear Felix, thank you for 24 exciting, thrilling and successful years. Especially the first three years together, you as managing director and me as sales manager, were very influential to me. Looking at the profit-and-loss calculation, our backs were against the wall, making us feel very uncomfortable. We felt the responsibility to steer the big steamship into calmer and more successful waters. But we didn't break under the weight. Thanks to your way of leadership, the freedom and the great trust you placed in us, we were able to pour out much adrenaline and were almost in a rush. That's how we managed to save the company and build up a global business unit in connection with it. Today, after a quarter of a century, you and your long-time companions can look back on an impressive turnaround. Your approach to team culture was a turning point. Thanks to this, we have successfully taken almost all employees on the journey of modernisation in the PORSCHE. Right at the beginning of your time at NETZSCH, you started a restructuring programme, the prelude to which was a workshop lasting several days in 1999 - Saturdays and Sundays, of course. The result was the PORSCHE - Process Oriented Restructuring Secures our Chances and helps us to Eminence. It moved us forward. However, I was also able to learn a lot from you personally, which went far beyond the scope of my work. You have undoubtedly shaped my path in life, and I want to thank you for your trust, support, friendship, and sometimes a bed in your room. Take good care of yourself and try to enjoy your next life stage. At the moment, I don’t know if you've mastered not working.
Thomas Streubel – President NETZSCH Pumps USA
Ken Shen: “I wish you only the best, Felix!”
Hi Felix, I joined NETZSCH in 2014 as the managing director of NETZSCH Lanzhou Pumps. I remember you visited us the same year, and we met the Lanzhou government together. I will never forget our meeting with a government official. Since then, nine years and many more visits to us in China and conferences in other places have passed. Time passes quickly. When I saw these pictures, it seemed like yesterday. Thank you so much for your support over the years. I wish you only the best, Felix!
Ken Shen – General Manager NETZSCH Lanzhou Pumps
Osvaldo Ferreira: “You were a good boss”
Thank you, Felix! For all your support over the past years and for helping us to achieve outstanding results in the Pumps & Systems business unit. You were a good boss who always empowered us to act for the good of the region and the entire NETZSCH Group.
Osvaldo Ferreira – Managing Director NETZSCH do Brasil
Edwin Chng: “I learnt many things from you”
Your leadership and guidance have brought the Pumps & Systems business unit to where we are today. Several sites worldwide were incorporated during this time, paving the way for our flagship product, the NEMO® progressing cavity pump, to become the market leader. You always tried to visit all the offices worldwide as often as possible. You were also present at the inauguration of the NETZSCH Asia Pacific office building in Singapore in 2017 - I have fond memories of that. I learned many things from you, including the toast that the first glass is always on the NETZSCH Group. Congratulations on your retirement, and best wishes for your new life phase! Stay healthy, and enjoy it!
Edwin Chng – Managing Director NETZSCH Asia Pacific
Norman Vivek: “It was a memorable moment for us”
Leadership, they say, is influence. Influence to inspire and align people towards a common goal—the power to bring out the best in each individual's potential. Under your guideway, presence and foresight, NETZSCH Pumps & System India was founded almost from scratch. You trusted and believed in me all along the way, in the good times and especially in the difficult times of these 20 years. The decision to invest in India was indeed visionary and courageous. The journey has had turbulences, but you have remained like a pillar for us to fall back on and bear. Over time, your love for the country of India has also grown. Your favourite butter chicken will always remind me of you, and your visit to my home with your family was a memorable moment for us. We still remember it fondly and talk about it. It was a blessing and an honour to have you as my boss all these years. We will miss you very much. I wish you much of everything you desire and deserve in life.
Norman Vivek – Managing Director NETZSCH Technologies India
Karl-Heinz Mommert: “All the best for the future and, above all, health”
Dear Felix, 24 years - a long, intense and exciting time. The two photos show you on your first visit to Russia in 2001 and the last one in November 2022. A lot has changed in all these years. You thought of founding NETZSCH Pumps RUS, and we developed the company into the market leader. Unfortunately, our weight has also changed in addition to our approach to the market. Thank you for your trust and the friendly atmosphere. I wish you all the best for the future and health to care about the things that fell short in the last few years. We will stay in contact, and I hope we can enjoy a few more glasses of Beluga together.
Karl-Heinz Mommert – General Director NETZSCH Pumps RUS
Rita Buchner: “It was always inspiring to work with you”
My highlight with you, Mr Kleinert, was a work meeting on a Carnival Thursday in your "mobile office" in Schaching. As you can see, you always keep the fun from coming up short. Thanks to your strategic way of working and your trust in your employees, working with you has always been inspiring. As a human resources manager, it was imposing to experience how you always valued the employees' representatives in their democratic mandate. The Pumps & Systems business unit will miss you. I wish you all the best for the next stage of your life and good health!
Rita Buchner – Director Human Resources NETZSCH Pumps & Systems
Ralf Stauske: “You were always there, no matter the time or topic”
There were many memorable moments with you, Felix. I fondly recall meeting with the management team in 2009 and 2016 and your visit to the Anting factory in 2018, but what I remember most is how you guided us. You were always there, no matter the time or the issue. I will never forget the guidance and support you gave us when you were needed and the trust you gave me and everyone else. For all this, I would like to thank you, Felix. I wish you all the best, a happy and healthy retirement and hope you will find the time to enjoy the things you love to do.
Ralf Stauske – General Manager Support Processes NETZSCH Lanzhou Pumps
Michael Sigl: “You recognised the importance of IT early on and encouraged us”
When you, Mr Kleinert, and I first met in my office in the IT department, the world was a different place. In 1996 we had exactly one server and about 30 computers. In 1997 we acquired the first mobile phone, a Siemens S10 - there was no Internet yet. You recognised the importance of IT early on and always encouraged us, but also challenged us. Today we have a global network with hundreds of servers and thousands of clients - information and data can be accessed worldwide at any time. I wish you all the best for your retirement!
Michael Sigl – Teamlead IT Workplace Services & Service Desk NETZSCH Pumps & Systems
Bernhard Murrenhoff: “I remember our first world tour in 2004”
I remember our first world tour in 2004 as a kick-off to another very successful strategic approach, "in the region for the region". We started our journey from Munich to India, followed by visits to Bangkok, Singapore, China and Australia. We visited a distributor in Hawaii and the USA and finally returned to Munich after three exciting and challenging weeks,. All the best for your future, Felix!
Bernhard Murrenhoff – Export Control Officer NETZSCH Pumps & Systems
Martin Kalleder: “Wish you all the best, good luck and health”
Dear Felix, on the occasion of your 65th birthday and your farewell, I would like to say THANK YOU, thank you for the trust you have consistently placed in me since 2012 and thank you for the excellent cooperation in all NETZSCH construction projects. You deserve my deepest thanks and respect for your successful work as CEO. I wish you all the best, happiness, and above all, health in your well-deserved retirement as well as wonderful travel experiences with your wife, Kerstin.
Martin Kalleder – Building- and Facility Manager NETZSCH Pumps & Systems
Sonja Karsten: ”Thank you Felix, for the journey we've made together”
We both started at the same time, with you as managing director and me after more than ten years in accounting in the investment controlling and accounting department. Those were challenging times. We have set up and turned around a lot with our colleagues in over 20 years. Together we gave reporting and budgeting a new face step by step. One highlight was the "straps". You came in one day and said we were now doing "straps". Our irritated faces amused you until you enlightened us. In 2000, we introduced the "Strategic Plan of Actions" for budgeting, which is still in use today in a slightly different form. Thank you, Felix, for the journey we have made together and for your support. Initially, I was a greenhorn in this area and could learn much from you. Above all, always look positively ahead, not stand still and meet the new with openness and curiosity. Enjoy your retirement and don't forget us completely!
Sonja Karsten – Vice President / Manager Controlling & Finance
What remains after almost 25 years as CEO at NETZSCH Pumps & Systems are countless beautiful memories and a well-positioned company - thank you, and all the best for the future!
