Mannheim, 01.07.2020
Press release Handover at TK Hockey
Axel Schröder will take over the worldwide business of the former TK Hockey Equipment GmbH as Managing Director of the newly founded TK Sports GmbH on 01.07.2020. Founder and owner Thomas Kille had already been looking for a solution for the company succession for some time and is now handing over his life's work to the long-standing Sales Manager for Germany.
Today, TK Hockey distributes an extensive range of articles specially adapted to the hockey market through its global distribution network - from innovative hockey sticks to clothing, goalkeeping articles and protective equipment. Numerous talents and national players worldwide, but also teams such as the national league clubs TSV Mannheim Hockey, SC Frankfurt 1880, HC Ludwigsburg or TG Frankenthal are equipped.
As early as the early 1970s, during his career as a national league and youth player, Thomas Kille was already working on optimising hockey sticks. The first experimental models with glass fibre reinforcement soon ended up with his fellow players. A short time later, the rare specimens, which already had the potential to be the "hockey sticks of the future", were a piece of equipment coveted by many players thanks to their outstanding properties and quality. To meet the steadily increasing demand, the company was founded in January 1985 and professional sales of the innovative sticks began under the TK brand. The now world-famous TK logo of two elephants with crossed trunks began its triumphal march through the global hockey family and just seven years later at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, ten players decorated with gold or silver medals had a stick with the elephant logo in their hands.
Axel and Thomas' paths crossed as early as November 1987. The then youth and national league player of TG Frankenthal, Axel Schröder, quickly became enthusiastic about selling hockey products. Only a short time after completing his BA degree, Axel became a permanent part of the TK Hockey Equipment company as Sales Manager Germany in 1998. From then on, Axel and Thomas formed a successful team and further developed TK Hockey into one of the leading brands in the worldwide hockey sport.
The handing over of the baton to long-time employee Axel Schröder is the logical step for Thomas Kille to guarantee the continuity of his brand after the end of his active career.
Axel is very happy to take on this task and wants to further develop the TK brand with his recognised expertise and years of experience and lead it into a successful future.
Thomas and Axel would like to take this opportunity to thank all employees, customers and manufacturers for the many years of trust and hope that this will continue under the new management so that TK can continue to play a leading role in the global hockey market.
Press contact and questions should be directed to Axel Schröder: a.schroeder@tk-sports.eu