Meet Dr. Klaus Hauschulte, Sport Group COO
Sport Group COO talks environment, recycling and a more sustainable future
An engineer by training with over 20 years of operational experience behind him, Dr. Klaus Hauschulte’s career has been dedfined by a drive to meet environmental challenges. He talks to us about transforming the business of sport and space from an environmental standpoint, the power of people and products as a force for good and leading the charge on recycling for our industry.
What is your general business background?
I studied business and engineering in Germany and became a Doctor of Engineering which led to a career spanning over 20 years in global operations and manufacturing. I have been lucky enough to work across a number of sectors as part of multinational companies and as a consultant which has given me extensive experience of a wide range of aspects of the industry.
What are your career highlights so far?
My early work was in the automotive industry at Benteler group where I worked at the cutting edge of automotive technology, energy and mechanical engineering for 12 years. I held a variety of roles including Head of Supply Chain Management and Chief Information Officer as well as Head of Operations for Northern Europe but a particular highlight was being CEO of the motorcycle division. During my time there, we built up a very successful motorcycle business including developing the frames for BMW motorbikes.
“Our new FormaTurf plant in Germany marks a big step forward in answering the recycling challenge that our industry faces but has failed to fully embrace yet.”
I then moved into sustainable energy taking on a role as COO and Global Head of Quality of the Wind Power Division at Siemens before becoming CEO of Scholz Recycling where I learnt the business of high-tech recycling. We recycled steel, metal scrap and plastics as well as providing disposal-related industrial services which was hugely interesting and valuable work from an environmental perspective.
What attracted you to Sport Group?
I joined Sport Group in 2021 because I believed I could make a positive impact. Our ambition of transforming the business of sport and space – especially from an environmental challenge point of view - was hugely appealing and played to my experience and values.
I love sport, I love building good things for the community and I love the Sport Group people.
On top of that, I was being offered the opportunity to work with market-leading brands (after all, Astroturf and Polytan invented the industry!), with a worldwide footprint and the great challenge of integrating our 20+ companies and all of the knowledge that exists across our group. It was an opportunity I couldn’t resist.
What is your experience of working for Sport Group?
Sport Group is an extremely rewarding place to work. We have so many good people all around the world and products that are doing something good for communities and the environment. I like that we are not in the ‘screens’ business. We are in the ‘run around and get fit business’ and that is a very good reason to get out of bed and go to work every day. I find it incredibly motivating and satisfying.
What is your vision of the future for Sport Group?
My entire career has been about doing something better for the environment be that through more responsible manufacturing, new materials, renewable energy or recycling. Environment will remain the key issue for many years to come and a crucial focus area for us. I bring a wealth of knowledge to help Sport Group as it transforms into an even more sustainable business in the future.
I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved already. Our voluntary commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) ratings keeps us accountable and transparent and demonstrates that we are serious about taking action now and for the future.
I am proud to work for a company that has reduced its carbon emission intensity by 30% since 2018 and ranks within the top 3% for ESG rated companies in the Building Products industry. Our products are also leading the way in sustainability – being able to say that we have developed the world’s first carbon neutral football turf, for example is huge. And we must keep challenging ourselves to be better. Green manufacturing processes, materials, products and services will require continual innovation and I see Sport Group leading our industry in that endeavour.
What role does recycling play in Sport Group’s future?
Our sustainability commitment doesn’t stop when our products leave the factory. What happens to our products at the end of their life cycle is just as important as the processes and materials that go into their making so recycling is a huge investment area for us.
This is why we created FormaTurf, a business dedicated to turf recycling on a much bigger scale. We take old turf and use it to produce products for a second life in sports and other applications – I’m proud to say we are the first plant to do it. We also recycle the raw materials from our products, like sand, back into sports fields and industry.
Our new FormaTurf plant in Germany is a huge factory and a major investment which will soon be fully operational. It marks a big step forward in answering the recycling challenge that our industry faces but has failed to fully embrace yet. It is our responsibility as the largest player in the business to work together with our competitors to find industry-wide solutions. It is only through collaboration that the industry will be able to build up a robust recycling infrastructure around Europe and the rest of the world. With FormaTurf, we are leading that conversation.
Outside of work, what do you like to do?
I love sport and used to play a lot of tennis and volleyball. These days you can find me, as often as I can, on the golf course.