“I’m thrilled every time that I open my car door in Hammerbrücke and can smell the evergreen forest,” says Jan-Erik Kunze.

The Managing Director of IK Elektronik GmbH commutes between the state capital of Dresden and his former home town of Hammerbrücke. This is also where his company’s headquarters are situated. “There was never any reason to change that – I cannot recognise any disadvantages of being based in the Vogtland region,” says Kunze, who has been an ambassador for the Vogtland region since 2015. 

And here – on the edge of Hammerbrücke, with the forest close by – forward-looking technology is being created. One current project for Kunze and his team of 53 employees is the so-called electricity pager, which aims to play an important role in the energy revolution. Different electricity consumers can be switched on and off with this device – depending on whether they currently need any power. “As a result, it’s possible to make better use of the capacity in the power grid. It’s a very exciting project for us, as we’re currently negotiating with the big names in this sector,” the 50-year-old explains, talking about the product that the company’s engineers have been working on since 2014. The customers include local utility companies and power grid operators. 

IK Elektronik not only develops sophisticated radio electronics, but also produces systems precisely in line with customers’ wishes – and they come from all over Germany. Jan-Erik Kunze has already given many a visitor plenty to chew on with the results achieved at the company headquarters in Hammerbrücke. How can a light switch be integrated in a clear glass wall without any wires and cords leading to it, for example?

“This is how it works: when you press the switch, electrical energy is released, which is used to activate the lamps in the ceiling via radio waves. There is no need for wires or a battery. This is engineering craftsmanship: creativity and expert knowledge are needed for this.”

It is impossible to overlook his love for his job. “I’m one of the fortunate people who are doing exactly what they enjoy. After my university studies in Dresden, I set up an engineering office; I always wanted to succeed in the market place with my passion for electronics.” His decision to select his home in the Vogtland region as the company’s headquarters was partly linked to his family. “I’ve also received every kind of support that is required in the region in order to set up a business. As for the rest, you’re responsible for making something of the conditions that are available locally.”

Most of the 53 employees at IK Elektronik in Hammerbrücke come from the Vogtland region – from Plauen, Markneukirchen or Auerbach. Three other people work at the Dresden branch.

“We’re able to find excellent workers in the Vogtland region; they’re motivated, conscientious and enjoy our work.”

Kunze hires young people every year. “The company thrives on this. There are many fairly young people from the region who study elsewhere and gain experience – but are looking for a permanent job here. Academics in particular are interested in us. And we have exciting work opportunities waiting for them.” IK Elektronik received the “Grand Prix for Medium-Sized Businesses” in 2014: the fact that a one-man engineering office can become a leading provider of high-frequency and radio electronics deserves recognition.

Vita Jan-Erik Kunze

• Born in 1966, grew up in Hammerbrücke
• Studied information technology in Dresden
• Founded IK Elektronik in Hammerbrücke in 1996
• Sole shareholder and managing director since then
• Lives in Dresden and in the Vogtland region

Links

• IK Elektronik in Hammerbrücke