The "Business Maker"
(Technology Review)
"From Chile to South Africa via Dubai is Kohnes locking system in hotels ... in action.“
(from the book: "Kreative Zerstörer")
"innovative with each fiber“
(Innovation Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research)
„Michael Kohne, passionate employer...“
("Markt & Wettbewerb")
"We have the stock market firmly in mind.“
("Handelsblatt")
Michael Kohne is always on the move. His passion is to turn ideas, of which he is convinced in the fact. He begins to build up, announce it and set off. If the success takes place and the company is booming, the next challenge excites him - the implementation of a new plan. So he has founded more than 13 companies in various sectors, builded up and sold most of them profitable.
He uses this profit for his next project. The clocks are zeroed. The game starts again. So it was with the Sphinx Electronics GmbH in Waldkirch, which took a place among the 100 most innovative companies in a ranking of "Business Week" in Germany. And so it will be with a company in the future.
Background
Michael Kohne is a passionate employer. To be in the office is not his cup of tea. He needs no head office, no desk and no secretary. An entrepreneur needs to be active - that is his motto. Therefore, he is always on the move – to customers, to business partners, for product testings or fairs. He maintains a well-functioning network of investors, entrepreneurs, prospects, multipliers and communicators. What he needs for it, is he packing always around with him - his car, his satellite phone, his product samples and his creativity. It is important to him to be able to determine the pace of his business transactions actively. For him, it is no option to wait until somebody comes up to him. A good product is the foundation of success. But without the direct contact with decision-makers, it will not sell. Once he has decided on a product, Michael Kohne does not only believe in it, he lives it. He wears trousers with SeaCell™ fibers and his house is secured with a Dialock system. So he builds his business, like others build their houses - with a lot of enthusiasm and great perseverance until the objectives are achieved.
Milestones
The beginning –
Michael Kohne starts his way as a selfmade man without any studies or diploma. He grews up in a difficult social environment, he does some early work experiences as an employee. He quickly realizes: Even in a position as head of department, he acquired fast, he can’t self-actualize.
since 1975The first self employment –
He starts his self employment in the retail sale. He makes the next important experience there. He does not fit with standing in a store and waiting for customers. He can really show his strengths only if he is active by himself.
since 1980Experiences as an employer –
Based on this knowledge, he begins to implement his own ideas and put them on the market. He founded successful companies in frequent intervals- in leasing, publishing and communication sector. He makes them cost-effective and sold them profitably. He reinvests the earned capital for the next start-up.
since 1980Sphinx electronics –
Since 1989 Michael Kohne hit the jackpot with the Sphinx Electronics GmbH 's. The company develops, manufactures and sells memory modules for the computer industry in the beginning of the PC boom.
up to 1989Dialock –
In 1994 follows the development of the success-brand Dialock - a transponder-based, battery powered access control system for hotels, hospitals, banks and industrial enterprises. In 1998, Michael Kohne sold Sphinx Electronics GmbH to the Häfele group - with a handsome profit.
up to 1994smartfiber AG –
In 2005 Michael Kohne founded smartfiber AG as CEO. The fiber manufacturer develops and distributes natural power fibers for the international textile market - with increasing success and more and more customers in all application areas. The company has discovered a possibility to integrate the natural additives algae and zinc with a positive effect on the skin function permanently into a cellulose fiber. This method has been awarded with several technology prizes, so in 2010 with the German Innovation Prize.
up to 2005Endcustomers products with fibers –
To clarify the benefits of his fibers for the textile market, Michael Kohne develops own retail-products since 2007. The Products BlueMagicBall® and BlueWish® - originally designed as a pure product sample – enjoy also popularity in trade. Incidentally, Michael Kohne sold several hundred thousand of this antibacterial cleaning products until the fibers came into the market.
up to 2007smartcel™ and SeaCell™ –
Michael Kohne established the fiber brand smartcel™ in the market for innovative, high-quality and sustainable textile products. Furthermore he recognizes the potential of the SeaCell™ fiber with algae additives. In 2007 smartfiber AG has taken the SeaCell™ brand, patents and production over. With SeaCell™ and the zinc fiber smartcel™ sensitive, the company sells two very strong brands that have great potential in the global textile market and also in other segments.
up to 2007projects and innovations –
Michael Kohnes always looks ahead. His next projects are already in planning stage. Nothing unusual for the man who has successfully built up businesses in various industries. It’s in his nature to take the risk of establishing
TodayPortfolio
blog
22 Dezember, 2010by Kohne Consulting
The „Gründaholic“
-article „Der Gründaholic“ from technology review 12/22/2010- The article shows the way of Michael Kohne, founder of the smartfiber AG. Here you can read the German text:
30 April, 2014by Kohne Consulting
Award winner: what does smartfiber actually do?
-article „Preisträger: was macht eigentlich smartfiber?“ from the German innovation price 04/30/2014- Since 2010, the German innovation prize will be awarded. This article shows the development of the winners...
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