Through the departure of Lutz Hübner from Schülke & Mayr, Norderstedt loses one of its important entrepreneurial personalities and one of the most dedicated and distinguished business executives in Schleswig-Holstein. The fortunes of Norderstedt were influenced to a significant and characteristic degree by Hübner’s many years of successful corporate management at Schülke & Mayr. Under his leadership, Schülke & Mayr became an international market leader in the area of disinfectants and industrial preservatives. The Schülke & Mayr Group, part of Air-Liquide, Paris, achieved annual sales in excess of EUR 100 million with 550 employees in 2003. Also part of the group, amongst others, is OPAL Service GmbH, which was founded by Hübner. Since 1999, Lutz Hübner has been the chair of the ChemieNord employers’ federation (with approx. 130 company members and approx. 28,000 employees).

Lutz Hübner, who began his professional career at the age of 17 years as an apprentice at Schülke & Mayr already advanced into a management position at the age of 29, and at the age of only 33 assumed overall responsibility as General Manager. During his many years as a member of the company, he successfully steered the business through a number of changes of ownership in its varied history and has therefore ensured the continuation of the company at its location in Norderstedt to the present day. In 1996, he found the ideal partner for Schülke & Mayr in the French Air-Liquide Group. The internationalisation of the traditional company founded in Hamburg in 1889 was consistently expanded under his leadership. Almost 50% of sales are now generated abroad and 10 subsidiaries also ensure appropriate growth for the future.

The increased competitive environment amongst hospitals brought about by the restructuring of the healthcare sector, as well as advances in medicine, e.g. the introduction of new operation techniques like endoscopy have significantly raised requirements in terms of disinfection, hygiene, quality assurance and advisory services. Lutz Hübner and his employees have turned Schülke & Mayr into one of the most innovative and service-orientated service delivery partners within the healthcare sector.

It is thanks to Lutz Hübner that in the area of environmental protection and quality assurance, Schülke & Mayr has advanced into an exemplary operation in the chemical pharmaceutical industry beyond the borders of Schleswig-Holstein. This applies both to modern structures of management and to Total Quality Management (TQM). As the first operation within its industry in Schleswig-Holstein, Schülke & Mayr was in 1996 awarded an EU-certified environmental management system in compliance with the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS).

Companies have an image – and Lutz Hübner used his personality to forge an excellent public reputation for Schülke & Mayr over more than two decades. His style of management had exemplary traits. His positive charisma and the open manner of his interaction with people were a catalyst for the high motivation and immense dedication of Schülke & Mayr’s employees. Initiative of one’s own, personal responsibility and team work became part of everyday life and enjoyed his constant nurturing. Excellent performance and humanness are not irreconcilable opposites for Lutz Hübner.

Commitment and operational readiness also characterise Lutz Hübner within the chemical industry. Since November 1999, he has been the chair of ChemieNord – an employers’ federation for the chemical industry in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. His special dedication is aimed at training opportunities for young people.

(At 12h30 on June 17, an official farewell ceremony will be held for Lutz Hübner as part of a staff meeting at the TriBühne Norderstedt, and he will then hand over his responsibilities to his successor.)