Franz Grimme, honorary citizen of the city of Damme and owner of the GRIMME group of companies, celebrates 3 years on 75 March this year.
He started to work in the company UGLY in 1970, at the age of 24, after graduating from higher educational institutions in mechanical engineering, economics and organization of production in Cologne and Pforzheim. From that time on, he ruled the fate of the company together with his father. His father's name was also Franz Grimme. At that time, the Agricultural Machinery Plant was already a large enterprise. More than 300 employees worked on it. It is noteworthy that 10 years later, in 1980, Franz Grimme took over the management of the Agricultural Machinery Plant. Thus, he founded the first - the company INTERNORM (1987). Enterprise for the production of products from synthetic materials. Secondly, RICON (1995) manufactures screening and conveying technology. Thirdly, he included in the group of companies SPUDNIK (2003), a manufacturer of potato equipment in the United States. Fourth, a Danish manufacturer of vegetable technology ASA-LIFT (2013). Sales and service subsidiaries were also established in Great Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia, Denmark, Turkey, Poland and Germany (Uelzen).
Franz Grimme and his brainchild today
Today to GRIMME Group of Companies include seven factories and 19 branches around the world. As a result, the number of employees has grown from 300 to over 2700. The production program has also been significantly expanded. Today GRIMME is the only worldwide manufacturer of a complete range of potato, beet and vegetable technology.
In addition to working for the company, Franz Grimme was also involved in volunteer work. For many years he was a member of the board of directors of the German Mechanical Engineering Association VDMA in the agricultural machinery sector. Since 2006, he has been a sponsor of the Andreas Foundation in Vechta. He also became chairman in 2012. In 2020, Honorary Chairman of the Damme Charitable Foundation. In 2005, Franz Grimme was awarded the title of Entrepreneur of the Year by the united Duchy of Oldenburger Münsterland. Further in 2011, he and his wife Christina were awarded the Order of the Land of Lower Saxony "For Merit" in the degree of the Knight's Cross on the ribbon. And already in 2016, Franz Grimme, like his father 30 years ago, was awarded the title of honorary citizen of the city of Damme.
Remarkably, at the age of 75, Franz Grimme is at the company every day and takes an active part in decision-making processes. First of all, it is important for him, despite the development of digital technologies and communication technology, to maintain a personal dialogue with employees and customers.
Franz Grimme: “I cannot imagine life without agricultural machinery. Maintaining the development of machines that meet market demands and dialogue with our customers is my inspiration. I am very proud that my sons Christophe and Philippe are very enthusiastic about taking on high responsibility in their work, and I can help them with advice and deed. This is a great happiness for my wife and for me. It's good when you know that everything is in good hands. "