Keeping it in the family
Louise Bishop, marketing manager of Krannich Solar UK, pays tribute to
company founder Kurt Krannich as the PV distributor celebrates its 20th
anniversary
015 is a milestone year for PV
distributor and solar specialist
Krannich Solar, as the owner-run
family business celebrates its
20th anniversary. Since founding
the company in 1995, Kurt Krannich’s innate
passion for the concept, technology and
benefits of solar energy has driven him to
nurture his business from humble beginnings
in Germany to international renown and
success.
With branches throughout Europe – as
well as in Australia, Japan, Mexico and the
USA – the company also exports to Africa and
South America, meaning that Kurt Krannich
really has ‘got the T-shirt’ when it comes
to supplying solar systems and support in
different markets, economies, geographies,
climates and political environments. This
international diversity, coupled with 20 years
of experience, affords the Krannich group an
invaluable level of stability and resilience to
the pressures, volatility and challenges of
individual markets, as well as an enviable
strength of centralised purchasing capability.
Despite the company’s impressive
growth and success, Kurt has maintained
absolute focus on the stable, long-term
development of his business and this
strategy, plus Krannich Solar’s continued
self-funded status has once again earned
them the CrefoZert creditworthiness seal.
This prestigious certification, awarded
by Creditreform Stuttgart, recognises the
company as having an exceptionally high
2
credit rating, an achievement accomplished
by just 1.7 percent of German businesses. For
Kurt, this financial stability sends an important
signal to his stakeholders: “The continuing
bankruptcies in the solar industry unsettle
customers at home and abroad, as well as
suppliers. Especially for our customers, it is
extremely important to award their contracts
to companies that are stable in the long-term.”
Alongside this intrinsic commitment to
the company’s strength and longevity, Kurt
also places huge emphasis on the importance
of top quality products, technical expertise,
high quality service and effective logistics, all
delivered on a local, personal basis by each of
his branches.
Within the UK, this is the task of COO
Kim Mann and his dedicated team. He
adds: “We’re proud to offer PV installers and
our other trade customers the best of both
worlds, by delivering products, support and
solutions that are tailored specifically for
the UK market but which have the value,
strength and solidarity of the Krannich group
behind them. This delicate yet vital balance
of local autonomy and international power
means we have the flexibility to respond to
local demands when the UK market is good
but also the stability to remain strong when
market conditions are more challenging.
“This key structure has been integral to
Krannich Solar’s steady but strong growth
over the last 20 years and I’m confident that
this will continue to be the case as we look
ahead to the next 20.”
International diversity, coupled with 20 years of
experience, affords the Krannich group an invaluable level
of stability and resilience
Steady hand: Geographic reach plus offering
financial stability to all stakeholders has allowed
Krannich Solar to take the rough with the smooth
in the turbulent PV market over the last 20 years,
says founder Kurt Krannich
Kurt’s vision for a future powered 100
percent by renewable energy drives him to
continue nurturing his business with the same
focus and passion which inspired him 20
years ago.
Immune to the common trappings and
distractions of success and status, Kurt’s head
may be in the boardroom but his heart is
undoubtedly in the more hands-on areas of his
business. In another 20 years he will most-
likely still be found analysing products and
performance data, while enthusing his staff
with the same passion for solar energy that
inspired him to found Krannich Solar and steer
it so successfully through its first 20 years.
www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk | 13