K.U.M.

For the past two decades, K.U.M. has supported leading academic centres around the world by developing customised subsea technology.

Today, we are established as the leading provider of subsea data acquisition systems delivering an end-to-end service from conception through to manufacturing.

Our vision is to help you make the impossible possible at depth.

KUM CORPORATE BROCHURE

Our passion for continuous innovation has enabled us to expand both our services and our markets. As our solutions have become increasingly targeted and specialized, we have streamlined the way deep-sea marine data is captured and processed. Across a wide variety of industries, we help our customers go further, see better, and understand more.

With our vast experience supporting academic institutes in cutting-edge oceanographic research, we are uniquely positioned to create, build, and deliver innovative subsea solutions designed to meet the challenges of the deep marine environment.

Part of the Rosenxt Group

In January 2026, K.U.M. was acquired by Rosenxt and is now part of the Rosenxt Group, an international technology company specializing in advanced solutions for harsh and complex environments.

The acquisition strengthens K.U.M.’s capabilities by combining its deep-sea and subsea expertise with Rosenxt’s broad engineering excellence, digital innovation, and industrial scalability. As part of the Rosenxt Group, K.U.M. is well positioned to further expand its technological leadership and continue delivering innovative, reliable subsea solutions to customers worldwide.

History

A track record of success

2026

In January 2026, K.U.M. was acquired by Rosenxt and is now part of the Rosenxt Group, an international technology company specializing in advanced solutions for harsh and complex environments.

2020

K.U.M. India is incorporated. Local staff employed to service, promote and sell subsea systems.

2019

Launch 6Labs to participate in innovative start-ups. Take part in a North Sea field trial with TenzorGEO.

2015

Secure first deal from a medical instruments company. Launch Nammu – a new generation of OBS.

This is a flexible OBS platform which can carry different types of seismic equipment and at the highest specification has a 120 sec broadband seismometer, 100 sec hydrophone, 4 channel datalogger, acoustic releaser and is designed to autonomously record seismic data for up to 36 months.

2014

Open new 1300m² premises at Melsdorf, just outside of Kiel. Equipped with state-of-the-art production capabilities which enable production of many subsea system components, attracting new customers.

2013

Recognised for innovations in the deep-sea research. Receive a grant from European Union, Germany and Land of Schleswig-Holstein for the development of new generation of OBSs.

2010

Move into much larger office/facilities with a total area of 1400m2, including manufacturing, testing and engineering facilities.

2005

Over 80 units of the OBS Lobster sold. Receive high praise from GEOMAR and Alfred-Wegener Institute after successful trials.

2003

Introduce revolutionary deep-sea titanium releaser. Launch Lobster a completely new OBS design. OBS reliability increased from standard

2000

World first with production of forged titanium pressure tubes. Begin manufacture of OBSs based on a GEOMAR design.

1998

First office located in Kiel at the Baltic Sea.

Management

Onno Bliss, CEO Onno
BlissCEO

Onno brings deep expertise in global business development, sales leadership, and negotiation management to the role. Prior to his current role, Onno served as Business Development Manager at K.U.M. 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 K.U.M. Kiel's client base to over 200 institutions worldwide.

Arne Schwenk, CTO Arne
SchwenkCTO

Arne is a world recognised expert in subsea physics and engineering and his drive and innovative thinking have provided the foundation of much of the company’s success. Arne joined K.U.M. over 20 years ago and has participated in more than 20 offshore scientific expeditions, personally handling operations of OBSs and other subsea systems.

Tim Sandmann, Head of Mechanical Engineering Tim
SandmannHead of Mechanical Engineering

Tim has been working with K.U.M. for more than a decade. With his theoretical and practical experience in oceaneering, Tim has led and still leads projects to success. In 2022 Tim was appointed to head of the mechanical development department.

Dinesch Babu, Director K.U.M. India Dinesch
BabuDirector K.U.M. India

Over the last 28 years, Dinesh has managed professional business support services for several organisations in India with specific focus on marine, deep sea technologies and oceanographic domains. Working on niche products from world leading companies, he successfully defined strategy, drove business development and established in-country support services. His diversified global and regional experience and his ability to understand detailed customer requirements make him a valuable addition to K.U.M. family, where he is responsible for K.U.M. India.

Geography of Projects

Geography of Projects