The New Space Race

Thyssenkrupp Elevator China Is Moving In A New Direction, And CEO Jurgen Bohler Celebrates The Spaces The Company Is Opening Up.

- Jennifer Sijnja

Jürgen Böhler, CEO of thyssenkrupp Elevator China, knew early on that his professional future lay somewhere in Asia. “It all started when I went to university,” he recalls. “I started off studying in Germany, and decided I’d like to spend a little time abroad. I went to the UK and spent a year doing a second degree, then went to France to do another degree. After spending time in three countries, at three different universities, it became clear to me that I would like to see the rest of the globe – particularly the countries in Asia.” When he began his job search, the number one criterion was that his potential employer would offer, at the very least, a training program in the Asian region. Elevator company thyssenkrupp fit the bill.

“When they hired me, thyssenkrupp told me that after a few months of initial training, they would send me to either South-East Asia or China. In the end, it was China. I was scheduled to go for one month, but I never came back.” This occurred more than 20 years ago, in 1995, at a moment when the country’s elevator market was beginning to show its remarkable growth potential. The market has since become the biggest in the world, and Jürgen’s career has progressed nicely alongside it. Joining thyssenkrupp at the beginning of his career meant he learned the ropes in a range of departments, including production, procurement, quality, sales, and branch and regional management – an opportunity for which he is grateful. “I could carry out these steps of my career development in a fast-growing market, and that was exciting,” he says.