Geretsried, July 12th, 2024

Dr. Jörg Krames as new President and CEO for BYK-Gardner appointed

The global measuring instrument manufacturer BYK-Gardner, headquartered in Geretsried, Upper Bavaria, welcomes its new Managing Director Dr. Jörg Krames. As a trained mechanical engineer with a doctorate in chemical engineering, Jörg Krames takes over the global management of the company with its foreign representatives and around 350 employees. BYK-Gardner is a leading supplier in the field of measuring instruments. The testing and measuring instruments objectively assess the quality of color, gloss and appearance as well as the physical properties of paint and plastic products. Last year, we acquired measuring instruments for non-destructive, high-precision coating thickness measurement.

Jörg Krames previously spent 15 years at ECKART, also an ALTANA Group company, as Vice President Global Key Account and responsible for Business Line Management Coatings. Prior to that, he worked for BASF Coatings as Director Key Account in Japan and Germany for leading car brands such as Toyota and Volkswagen

His main goals are to drive forward the brand perception of the premium measuring instrument manufacturer and to drive forward the digitalization of business processes. Looking ahead to the upcoming generational change, transformation projects and the continuous development of employees are among the focal points of his business strategy to strengthen BYK-Gardner as the market leader.

"We are delighted to have found a managing director in Dr. Jörg Krames within our own ranks, who not only has excellent professional expertise, but is already very familiar with the ALTANA Group," said Dr. Jörg Hinnerwisch, BYK Executive management and ALTANA Management Board member.
"With his strong focus on customers, technology and innovation, Jörg Krames continuing to lead BYK-Gardner on the road to success."

Dr. Jörg Krames

About BYK

BYK is a leading global supplier of specialty chemicals. The company’s innovative additives and differentiated solutions optimize product and material properties as well as production and application processes. BYK additives improve, among other things, the scratch resistance and gloss of surfaces, the mechanical strength or the flow behavior of materials, as well as properties such as lightfastness and flame retardancy. As part of quality assurance, BYK's measuring and testing instruments are used to effectively assess the appearance and physical properties.

The company’s customers include manufacturers of coatings and printing inks, plastics, adhesives and sealants, as well as cleaners, floor coatings, and lubricants. BYK additives are also successfully used in the construction chemistry, oil and gas, and foundry industries.

BYK has a global network of subsidiaries and operates production sites in Germany (Wesel, Kempen, Moosburg, Schkopau, Geretsried), the Netherlands (Deventer, Denekamp, Nijverdal), and the UK (Widnes), in the USA (Wallingford, Chester, Gonzales, Louisville, Earth City, Pompano Beach), and in China (Shanghai, Tongling).

The company is part of the ALTANA Group and employs more than 2,500 people worldwide.