To Canada and back

The agile Saxon studied at the prestigious TU Bergakademie in Freiberg. "Rocks have fascinated me since I was a child. Therefore, the direction of my future profession was obvious to me at an early age", says Höntzsch about his motivation to take this particular career path. As part of his studies in 2006, he left Germany for the first time for a few months to write his diploma thesis at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Later he received his PhD at the University of Bremen. With his excellent educational background, he started his career in the Geology department of K+S in Kassel in 2011. Initially, he was engaged in potash and salt exploration, the assessment of raw material reserves in K+S mines and the geological risks in mining. Furthermore, he was responsible for the Neuhof-Ellers site as Plant Geologist.

Buying a house in the south of Kassel together with his wife, he also settles into his private life in northern Hesse. In 2014, Höntzsch becomes father for the first time. "Nevertheless, I have always hoped for the chance to work for K+S abroad one day." At the beginning of 2016, the opportunity arises when he is asked by Frank Hunstock, former Head, to join the establishment of the Technical Center North America. As Senior Geologist, he relocates to Canada to work for the Windsor Salt subsidiary. In Windsor, located directly on the southern border to the United States opposite the city of Detroit, he and his colleague Dr. Hagen Jeschke are to set up the new department. It is intended to ensure a better knowledge transfer as well as the exchange of experience in salt mining between the German and Canadian sites. "We practically started from scratch, since the function created was completely new. Looking back, it was very exciting: I had the opportunity of professionally developing myself very well and contributing my own ideas right from the start". The kindness of the new colleagues in Windsor was a great benefit for him. "I experienced the people in Canada and the USA as very open and friendly. I quickly made new contacts and therefore didn't have any difficulties in adapting to the new circumstances." 

Stefan Höntzsch could also further pursue his great passion of marathon running in North America. In 2019, for instance, he ran the marathon in neighboring Detroit in just four hours: "It was a terrific experience to run a marathon through such a big city in the US. Everything there is one or two levels more emotional than in Germany!“

When it became apparent that K+S would sell the Americas operating unit including Windsor Salt, Höntzsch was asked to return to Germany. Back there, he finds an interesting job at the Zielitz potash plant. As the Coordinator for Resource Optimization and Grade Control, Höntzsch has now been working there since October under the direct management of production to find ways of obtaining more resource from the crude salt extracted in the medium to long term. "What is exciting about my new position is that I am not only working in geology, but also have to deal with technology and mechanical processes. In this way, I can gather new knowledge."

"Above all, you have to be very open for something new and very sociable and communicative.” In his current position, Stefan Höntzsch doesn't see himself at the end of the career path. "My next goal is to assume leadership responsibility one day.” At which place or country this will be, he deliberately leaves open.