The International Certificate in Business in Just Three Weeks – Trainees from RHODIUS Abrasives GmbH Attend Training in Dublin
On December 3, 2025, a certificate presentation ceremony for the Kaufmann International Certificate (KIC) was held at BBS Bad Neuenahr. The event was attended by teachers, the principal, the trainees and their instructors, as well as a representative from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), who organizes and supervises the study abroad programs. In a warm and appreciative atmosphere, all participants were thanked for their great commitment, as this special experience was made possible only through the initiative and cooperation of everyone involved.
The trainees were presented with both the KIC certificate and the Europass, which will support them in future job applications. The training companies also received the Erasmus+ Training Partner award.
Two industrial business administration trainees (IHK) at RHODIUS Abrasives GmbH have earned a special qualification: Yannik Effelsberg and Marcel Schmidt participated in the “Kaufmann International Certificate” (KIC) program in Dublin. The project, organized by the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce (AHK Ireland), promotes professional language development and provides practical knowledge for international trade.
Organized by BBS Bad Neuenahr and the IHK Koblenz in collaboration with the AHK Dublin, the three-week course offers young commercial trainees the opportunity to expand their English skills and gain familiarity with international business topics. The participants worked on topics such as cross-cultural communication, finance and investment, statistics and trends, and much more, and took a final exam that led to the coveted KIC certification.
“We would like to extend our special thanks to our training company, RHODIUS Abrasives GmbH: Thanks to the trust they placed in us and their financial support, they invested in our professional development and made this experience possible in the first place,” emphasizes Yannik Effelsberg. Marcel Schmidt also views the stay as “a personal enrichment that goes far beyond the typical daily routine of vocational training.”
In addition to language skills, the program focused on practical topics such as “Cross-Cultural Communication” and “Culture Classes.” The program was organized by BBS Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler in collaboration with the Koblenz Chamber of Industry and Commerce. At the conclusion, the trainees presented a topic from their training company and demonstrated their proficiency in English business correspondence and presentation skills. All of this, of course, was conducted in English, which they were able to develop to a professional C1 level.
“These positive experiences demonstrate how valuable international study trips are for the personal and professional development of our trainees. That is why we would like to continue offering such opportunities in the future,” explains Sina Ilius da Rocha, Head of Training and Continuing Education at RHODIUS Abrasives.
With this initiative, RHODIUS Abrasives underscores its commitment to fostering young talent and strengthening international competencies—a key building block for the future of the company and its employees.
RHODIUS Abrasives GmbH Launches School Sponsorship Program with Realschule plus Niederzissen
RHODIUS Abrasives GmbH of Burgbrohl and the Realschule plus Niederzissen have formed a new partnership. The goal is to help students transition into the workforce and provide them with practical insights into various professions.
Representatives from RHODIUS, the school, the Koblenz Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), and the School-Business Working Group were present at the official presentation of the partnership certificate. Together, they emphasized how important cooperation between schools and businesses is to better prepare young people for working life.
The partnership between RHODIUS Abrasives and the Realschule plus Niederzissen comprises various components: Students gain insights into the working world through internships, company tours, and participation in the school-organized “Career Day” event, where various industries are presented. Additionally, a learning partnership is planned in which RHODIUS trainees will work on projects together with students.
“For RHODIUS, the school partnership is a key component in providing young people with practical insights into the professional world and attracting them to pursue an apprenticeship with our company. As part of the internationally active Murugappa Group, we combine regional roots with global perspectives—including in our apprenticeship programs. “Those who start their careers at RHODIUS benefit not only from our many years of experience but also from a modern, diverse work environment with genuine opportunities for growth,” emphasizes Jürgen Neubert, CEO of RHODIUS Abrasives.
For Realschule plus Niederzissen, the partnership with RHODIUS Abrasives is a valuable addition to its career guidance programs. “Through this partnership, we offer our students the opportunity to gain practical experience and explore career paths early on,” says Principal Timo Djelassi.
RHODIUS Abrasives GmbH, headquartered in Burgbrohl, is an internationally active manufacturer of high-quality grinding tools. The family-owned company has over 70 years of experience and employs more than 300 people worldwide. Since 2022, RHODIUS has been part of the Indian Murugappa Group, an internationally active industrial conglomerate with over 85,000 employees worldwide. This affiliation not only gives RHODIUS an even broader international presence but also brings a unique diversity of structures, values, and development opportunities. As a training company, RHODIUS places great emphasis on fostering young talent in the region.
The Koblenz Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) supports the organization of such school partnerships through its regional office in Ahrweiler. Through close collaboration with the School-Business Working Group and the Jobfux program, schools receive targeted guidance in career orientation to support young people in their career choices and to help companies attract skilled workers.
Health Day at RHODIUS Abrasives GmbH
On Thursday, May 15, RHODIUS Abrasives GmbH offered all approximately 300 employees at the Burgbrohl site a paid day off in the shape of a “Health Day” as part of its workplace health management program, organized as an interactive, voluntary informational event. On the factory grounds in Burgbrohl, interested employees were able to gain valuable expert knowledge from external specialists in the fields of medicine, nutrition, and occupational safety throughout the entire workday to promote greater well-being in their daily lives.
Through this initiative, ODIUS Abrasives aims to offer its employees practical assistance and tips for a healthy life and improved quality of life.
“With our Health Day, we want to raise awareness of healthy living. Our workshops, lectures, and activities are designed to help employees make better decisions regarding nutrition, exercise, and stress management. The invited experts provide practical tips on how changes for a healthier lifestyle can be easily integrated into daily life. There’s something for everyone,” said Anja Schüle, Specialist and Head of Workplace Health Management (BGM) at RHODIUS Abrasives.
People are often only willing to invest more time in improving their own health once certain specific conditions are met.
Knowledge and awareness are key factors in actively improving quality of life. A better understanding of the connection between lifestyle and health can motivate people to invest a little more time in taking better and more appropriate care of their bodies and minds, and to optimize their daily habits.“Promoting the health and well-being of our workforce
is a matter of particular importance to me. A healthy lifestyle is not only important for personal well-being, but also for our collective performance and the success of our company,” said Jürgen Neubert, CEO of RHODIUS Abrasives.
The event was supported by various health partners, including BIG direkt gesund, KRAAIBEEK, Team Gesund, and the GYM 360º fitness studio in Burgbrohl. These partners presented their health services and offered participants exclusive benefits.
Nine new apprentices join RHODIUS Abrasives
According to a recent study by the Bertelsmann Foundation, 2.6 million people between the ages of 20 and 35 have no vocational training. This directly contributes to the shortage of skilled workers. RHODIUS Abrasives is therefore committed to nurturing the next generation of talent and is filling nine apprenticeship positions for the start of the 2024 training year.
Choosing vocational training at RHODIUS Abrasives enables young school graduates to pursue their professional interests in a dynamic work environment. Through personal commitment and individual support from the employer, the groundwork is laid for a professional future, opening up interesting opportunities to be hired as a full-time employee after the apprenticeship, potentially launching a future career with this internationally active company.
To ensure that young adults feel fully supported in their daily work, experienced trainers are available as direct points of contact. This support extends not only to day-to-day work but also to exam preparation. Individual training programs covering topics such as public speaking, negotiation skills, and self-management further enhance career development.
With an export share of over 70 percent, RHODIUS offers career starters an interesting, challenging field of work in a modern professional environment.
HARDWARE FAIR 2024 – Expand Your Reach
Visit us between March 3 and 6 at the 2024 International Hardware Fair. At our booth, B001 in Hall 10.2, you’ll get a complete overview of our latest product highlights. This year’s main focus is on cutting and grinding discs specially optimized for cordless angle grinders.
During individual product demonstrations, you can see many of our cutting and grinding tools in action. If you’d like to experience firsthand how custom cutting and grinding discs can be printed, we’ll have a small version of our special digital printer on site at the Hardware Fair.
In addition, we’ll cover your admission fee and give you a ticket code as well as a personalized diamond cutting disc, which you can pick up at our booth.
Please understand that we cannot guarantee ticket delivery after 3:30 p.m. on March 1.
Save the Date: International Hardware Fair India
Together with CUMI and AWUKO, RHODIUS will be showcasing its innovative products at the International Hardware Fair India from December 2–4, 2023.
New phone numbers and email addresses!
RHODIUS Abrasives has been part of the CUMI Group (Carborundum Universal Limited) since April 1, 2022. As part of our separation from RHODIUS Holding, we are not only undergoing a comprehensive modernization of our IT infrastructure but are also changing our email domain and phone numbers. RHODIUS Abrasives GmbH has chosen the new email domain rhodius.eu, which further underscores the company’s international focus.
Our new phone number is now: +49 (0) 2636 96910-0You can reach our
Sales Team in Germany at: +49 (0) 2636
96910-2400Our Export Team is available at: +49 (0) 2636 96910-2500
You can reach our employees by email using the following format: Vorname.Nachname@rhodius.eu
RHODIUS is joining the CUMI Group
The owners of CUMI and RHODIUS Grinding Tools have agreed to sell RHODIUS Grinding Tools to CUMI. The transaction is expected to close by the end of March.
We have summarized some of the key points for you here:
- CUMI strengthens the Burgbrohl location and RHODIUS grinding tools’ ongoing growth strategy
- RHODIUS’s brand and private-label sales will be consistently expanded
- The integration of CUMI and RHODIUS into a global corporate group with unique vertical integration from raw materials to the end product brings strategic advantages in the areas of product range depth, raw materials, and global distribution
RHODIUS New Products for 2021
In 2021, RHODIUS is on a growth trajectory and offers many popular tools for grinding and cutting with larger diameters.
These include the RHODIUS FT30 and FT40 freehand cutting discs for steel and stone, respectively, with diameters of up to 400 mm. With the popular and extra-thin RHODIUS XT10 EXTENDED and XT20 EXTENDED cutting discs, not only has performance increased by at least 30%, but they are now also available in 150, 180, and 230 mm diameters.
RHODIUS Innovations 2020
To give you a glimpse of RHODIUS’s latest products, we’ve set up an online showroom for you.
Learn more here about our unique products featuring EXTENDED and CERAMICON technology, a wide range of X-LOCK and ALU products, and our brand-new private-label online configurator.