Klaus Schmitz is serving Otto Junker as Vice President Sales, Thermoprocessing Plants for Aluminium and Copper since 2017. He started working with Otto Junker in 1996 as a Project engineer for Thermoprocessing of Plants, and then he was promoted to Project Manager, Leader of Product Group, and Division Manager Thermoprocessing plants for Copper-alloys. By qualification, he has a master's degree in Mechanical engineering from RWTH Aachen University.

AL Circle: Can you briefly overview Otto Junker's history and contributions to heat treatment in the aluminium industry?

Klaus Schmitz: Otto Junker Company was founded by Mr. Otto Junker in 1924, so we will celebrate our 100 anniversary next year. The company was first established near Aachen, Germany, where the headquarters and primary operations are still located. The start of OTTO JUNKER Company was with furnaces and casting equipment for the brass industry. However, in 1934, with the general increase of aluminium applications, OTTO JUNKER supplied any kind of furnaces for the aluminium industry, such as melting furnaces, pre-heating furnaces, and heat treatment furnaces. OTTO JUNKER has been part of the aluminium industry since the beginning.