A new management generation at KSB

Dr Otto Klein-Kühborth succeeded Jacob Klein on the Board of Management and Supervisory Board and set the direction for the further development of KSB’s business. Holding a doctorate in law and politics, Otto Kühborth joined the company at the age of 25 in 1921, first as private secretary to Jacob Klein, then working in valve sales and taking over as head of accounting. He was appointed as Director of the newly founded subsidiary in Homburg in 1924.

When Jacob Klein left the Board of Management of KSB in 1931 to join the Supervisory Board, Otto Kühborth became his successor. In 1941, Jacob Klein adopted Otto Kühborth, who was married to Jacob Klein’s grandniece. From this point onwards he was known as Otto Klein-Kühborth, ensuring that the majority shareholding stayed in the family after Jacob’s death. 

Otto Klein-Kühborth served on the Board of Management until 1947. He then took up a position on the Supervisory Board and remained in this role for 23 years until 7 July 1972. After this, he became Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Chairman of the Advisory Board of Klein Pumpen GmbH. He died in 1976 after more than 50 years of service for KSB.