Core Competencies:

• Global Engineering Organization Development & Transformation
• Technical Due Diligence for M&A and PE
• Product Development & Industrialization (Tire, Technical Rubber, Brake Industry)
• Plant Operations & Manufacturing Excellence
• Strategic Project Management

Selected Projects:

• R&D Integration Project - Global Tire Manufacturer
  • Led APAC R&D merger integration between two major tire manufacturers
  • Managed transition of full-service R&D center operations
  • Implemented global matrix organization structure and standardized development processes
• Technical Start-up Advisory - Tire Industry
  • Conducted technical due diligence for company formation
  • Designed lean R&D organization concept for growth phases
  • Established core technical team and third-party network
  • Co-developed product strategy for ASIA, US, and EU markets
• Strategic Consulting - Testing Equipment
  • Advised US testing equipment provider on ASIA market entry (Tire testing segment)

Led and managed the Goodyear / Cooper R&D Merger Process from the regional Cooper side, ensuring a seamless integration of the two R&D organizations in APAC. Managing the Full-Service R&D Center in Kunshan.

• Implemented Goodyear Processes and Tools in Management/Development, focusing on Consumer and Commercial tires.
• Executed Goodyear Development Project Management in the Cooper Organization.
• Successfully transitioned the Cooper Engineering Center to a Goodyear global Matrix organization within one year.
• Led the successful transfer of APAC Tire Development from Luxembourg to China, transitioning 16 engineers to new European roles. Oversaw the smooth handover of 25 active projects to the China Engineering team, enabling continued development from the Kunshan Engineering Center.
• Launched 15 Product Development projects. Localization and transfers of Commercial and Passenger car tires.

Managing a Full-Service APAC R&D Center; leading an OEM/AE Engineering Organization; utilizing advanced statistics, machine learning, and AI in R&D and production; managing a team of 80 on-site engineers

• Drove the rapid execution of a strategic Technology Roadmap. Optimized Engineering for lean efficiency while cultivating an innovation culture aligned with the Findlay, US R&D headquarters strategy.
• Developed ~ 20 local OEM projects (GW, Xiaopeng, GAC) per year, including optimized materials & constructions.
• Created 3 New rolling resistance-optimized PC tire lines and a Commercial Tire Super Single development. Wider low-aspect tires carry more loads, increasing trucks' active loading height.
• Implemented a lean, global NPI process, piloting in China, to streamline Product industrialization through R&D. Reduced time-to-market, costs, optimized R&D - Operations handover and best practice sharing across plants.
• Start up the first COOPER mobility team in China. Including a Digital Twin prototype for mixing (soft sensor) and efficiency optimization. Cooperation with XiaoPeng on simulation: ?1 physical submission-only? concept.
• Executed Product Platforming to reduce/optimize Product/component complexity.

Designed and managed an innovative Technology center (Mini plant with Pilot shop), including Program management/Application Engineering, testing, prototyping, and Chemical/Physical Laboratories. Hold P&L responsibility with a budget of EUR 6M and oversee eight direct and 52 indirect reports.

• Established a technology center in a record time of 1.5 years, from conception to entire operation.
• Conceptualized the R&D Strategy for APAC, including a third-party network to optimize the service for OEMs.
• Modeled on-bench a physical China-test-track simulation. This will result in a reduction in test cost and time.
• Launched a modern, lean operation engineering department for the two plants in China
• Implemented Application Engineering (Program management) from scratch. Achieved VW & GM business in China.
• Pioneered innovative multi-cavity press design with independent cavity control, dramatically reducing costs while boosting output and ensuring consistent high quality.
• Cultivated relationships with local OEMs through innovative solutions, delivering low-noise and durable products.
• Developed and implemented a new process-oriented project management structure within two years, resulting in successful German DQS auditing to meet ISO 16949 (IATF) standards.

Optimized R&D Organization and supported the launching of a new Tech Center in Hefei. Managed 100 Engineers and coordinated with Chinese headquarters and European centers. 

• Restructured the R&D organization from a rigid hierarchy to a more lean-optimized project management structure.
• Conceptualized an R&D center model for the EU in Germany, successfully bringing the vision to fruition.
• Implemented a product industrialization department, reducing up to 30% in time to market.
• Successfully obtained target approvals from international joint venture OEMs (VW and GM).

Managed global product and process industrialization, overseeing product releases, launches, and international development projects. Led a team of 4 direct reports and supervised 170 indirect reports.

• Successfully led and executed a cost improvement project for Conti PC tires, saving EUR 35M in 2009.
• Initiated a management recruitment program to facilitate the rapid global implementation of an industrialization organization covering engineering, process, and compounding.
• Introduced a concept to streamline material and component complexity control across R&D and manufacturing.
• Implemented Material Industrialization and a rolling Cost-optimization Project

Charged with leading the development of new winter tires. 

• Achieved a ?highly recommended? by the General German Automobile Club

Contributed as a management team member for process technology at a plant with 1,700 employees. Led the implementation of technology and cost-improvement projects.

• Successfully supported the relocation of new product lines, complete with unique technology, from a closed Swedish plant to Korbach within nine months.
• Introduced a new mold technology to maximize the performance impact, enhancing operational efficiency and quality.
• Inspired the idea of establishing a global expert pool for R&D/manufacturing experts to address technology crisis task forces globally.