BÖNNIGHEIM/GEMMRIGHEIM (ivs) On 11 December 2020, the deputy Hohenstein Institute director and long-time managing director of the Gütegemeinschaft sachgemäße Wäschepflege e. V. Prof. Dr. h. c. Josef Kurz passed away at the age of 86.
Josef Kurz started his professional career in 1957 as a textile engineer at the textile testing service provider Hohenstein. As department director of the areas of colourimetry, solvent ecology, textile cleaning, laundry technology and medical textiles, Josef Kurz played a decisive role in shaping the development of Hohenstein with his scientific expertise and his passion for innovation. At all times, it was important to him to share his broad expertise and insights. Through lectures around the globe, he established contact with institutes and research partners and passed on his knowledge to younger generations. His professional life's work is documented in around 130 publications, monographs and numerous specialist books. In the mid-1990s, Josef Kurz established a central office for press and marketing tasks at Hohenstein and founded the Institute for Hygiene and Biotechnology (IHB), a completely new field of study that still deals with hygiene and medical topics today.
From 1989 to 2006, Josef Kurz contributed his special commitment to dry cleaning and textile care as managing director of the Gütegemeinschaft sachgemäße Wäschepflege e. V. [German Certification Association for Professional Textile Services]. Under his aegis, association members benefited and Hohenstein’s laundry-related research developed significantly. Josef Kurz laid the foundation for future international growth of the Certification Association.
Since his retirement from operational business at Hohenstein, Josef Kurz has remained connected to the company. He has served as head of the "Global Strategies" staff unit since 2000 and was deputy director of the institute until the end.
Both Hohenstein and the Gütegemeinschaft sachgemäße Wäschepflege e.V. owe a debt of gratitude to Josef Kurz. The owning family Mecheels, the Hohenstein management and employees, as well as the board and the members of the Certification Association remember him in silent mourning.
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