KUM-Kiel (K.U.M. Umwelt- und Meerestechnik Kiel GmbH), a global leader in Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBS) and advanced subsea monitoring technology, today announced the appointment of Onno Bliss as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Bliss, who has been serving as Business Development Manager, now formally assumes the role and responsibilities of CEO following the unfortunate passing of the company's previous CEO and founder Thomas Kumbier.
Bliss brings deep expertise in global business development, sales leadership, and negotiation management to the role. Since taking the helm at KUM-Kiel, he has already demonstrated remarkable leadership by doubling the company's revenue in less than 12 months through international expansion, optimized commercial strategy, and securing major contracts across Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) and Infrastructure Security sectors.
Prior to his current role, Onno served as Business Development Manager at KUM-Kiel, where he developed relationships with global clients and industry partners. His leadership has been instrumental in scaling the company's platform, launching new service models, and growing KUM-Kiel's client base to over 200 institutions worldwide.
"I'm honored to lead KUM-Kiel during this pivotal time in the offshore energy and marine technology sectors," said Bliss. "With our next-generation TIAMAT OBS system and growing demand across multiple verticals, we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on accelerating investment in offshore energy, renewables, carbon capture, and critical subsea infrastructure. I look forward to working with our exceptional team to drive innovation and deliver unmatched value to our global customers."
The leadership transition comes as KUM-Kiel is poised for significant growth, with projected revenue of €5.5 million this year and ambitious plans to expand its high-margin rental business and international presence across strategic regions.
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