Innovative technologies pave the way for future success

Königsbach-Stein – After 25 years at the helm, Reiner Kirschner is bidding farewell to ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH. He has handed over his shares to Yannik Zecha, son of Stefan Zecha. From April 2025, father and son will manage the ZECHA group together, actively shaping its future. The changeover underlines ZECHA’s commitment to its long-term corporate strategy and emphasises its focus on precision cutting tools.

With its origins in the Pforzheim clock industry, ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH has developed into a key player in the production of micro-tools. With 60 years of experience and expertise, the Königsbach-Stein-based company is a global partner and problem solver for precision tools in micro-machining as well as punching and moulding technology. ZECHA has always stood for for quality, high-end technology and innovative strength – a tradition that is now being passed on to the next generation.

Reiner Kirschner: A life spent in precision tool manufacturing

Reiner Kirschner has made a decisive contribution to the growth and success of ZECHA with his technical expertise: His professional career began in 1976 with an apprenticeship as a toolmaker. He continued his training – among other things, as a state-certified master toolmaker and designer. By 1996, he had gained extensive experience as a department head in toolmaking before joining ZECHA as a sales representative. In 2000, he became managing director. Working together with Stefan Zecha, ZECHA developed into an internationally recognised supplier of high-precision micro-tools.

‘I would like to thank Stefan Zecha for the constructive and creative time with all its ups and downs. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to all of the people working here, who have contributed to the company’s positive standing. My time with you has enriched my life,’ says Reiner Kirschner. Stefan Zecha, ZECHA’s managing director, also pays tribute to the achievements of his long-standing business partner: ’I could always rely on Reiner. If you look at where we are today, it wouldn’t have been possible without him. So I’d like to thank him for all the years we’ve spent travelling this road together, with all its twists and turns.’

In addition to its headquarters in Königsbach-Stein, ZECHA is well positioned internationally working with strong partners, such as ZECHA Precision Tools Ltd in India with 140 employees. A close-knit distribution network in the DACH countries and Europe ensures that customers are supplied quickly and reliably with high-quality tool solutions. The ZECHA Group also includes AlienTools GmbH (Berlin) for the worldwide online distribution of dental and precision tools, and CIMTRODE GmbH (Austria), which specialises in measuring technology.

Reiner Kirschner adds: ‘After 29 years, 25 of them as Technical Managing Director at ZECHA, I have decided that this is the right time to finish working. It was important to me to place what I have built up over decades in good hands. In Yannik Zecha I have found a good successor for the future of ZECHA.’ Yannik Zecha is taking over his shares in ZECHA, ZECHA Precision Tools Ltd., AlienTools and CIMTRODE and is thus continuing the company’s successful growth into the third “Zecha” generation.



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Yannik Zecha: The third generation steps up

Yannik Zecha, born in 1998, completed a degree in mechanical engineering in Karlsruhe after graduating from high school in 2017. Gaining practical experience at ZECHA, he then studied International Management in Heidelberg, including a semester abroad at San Diego State University in California. His well-rounded education provides the ideal basis for his new role managing the company. ‘First of all, I would like to thank Reiner Kirschner for his trust in me. From a young age, I have been able to witness how the company has developed positively and grown to its present size, thanks in part to him. It was impressive to see how my father and Reiner Kirschner divided up their responsibilities – they brought complementing strengths to the table, making them the perfect team.’

He emphasises: ‘After Reiner Kirschner’s decision last year, I have decided, after careful consideration, to take this step and join the management team. It is definitely a lot responsibility to take on at such a young age, but I know that I can count on the support of the employees, as I have be able to in the past. I realise that I need time to grow into my role, which is why I am pleased that my father will accompany me on my journey for a long time to come.’

A future through innovation and high-end technology

ZECHA has found its niches offering solutions for the machining of titanium, stainless steel and special materials in medical and dental technology. The focus on these markets is a great advantage for ZECHA against the background of change in the automotive industry. Thus, the company is only slightly affected by these changes, remaining robust and future-proof.

Despite its specialisation in micro-tools, or maybe even because of it, the company has always maintained its vision and never lost its innovative spirit. A great deal of investment has been made in new technologies and other such developments. This has enabled the medium-sized company to keep abreast of new trends in many sectors and open up new business areas. To this end, ZECHA also relies on the expertise, technology transfer and innovative strength of high-calibre technology suppliers in areas such as grinding technology, hard metals and coatings. One milestone, for example, was the launch of the LaserSmart 500 laser processing centre for processing ultra-hard materials such as CBN, PCD and CVD in 2015. Today ZECHA already has four further ultramodern Femto laser systems – a technology which Yannik Zecha intends to expand further.

‘As a project engineer I have been involved with 3D lasers at ZECHA for a long time. I see great potential for future developments in this technology. That’s why I will continue to pursue this path and focus more on cutting tools,’ explains Yannik Zecha.

A strong team for the future

With the new dual leadership of Stefan and Yannik Zecha, ZECHA will remain a reliable partner for precise and innovative tool solutions in machining, medical technology (implants), watchmaking, mould making and many other industries.

Stefan Zecha puts it succinctly: ‘I’m delighted that Yannik has already embarked on this path in his career and will be able to discover what it means to follow in our footsteps – which are not exactly small. I would have understood if he had decided against it. It is important to me that he really wants to do it, that he enjoys doing it and that he is able to do it. I thank my son for taking on this responsibility as a member of the third generation. As said, he didn’t have to do it – but I am so incredibly proud that he is doing it. I am looking forward to many years of successfully leading ZECHA together.’