It was during my studies at the University of Applied Sciences in Dortmund that I found my way into the “fascinating” world of beverage cans.
At the beginning of my education, I gained my “first industrial experience” in the Hundhausen foundry in Schwerte. Further stations were at the 3 Krupp Hoesch sites in Dortmund Hörde, at the Westfalenhütte and in Bochum.
Towards the end of my mechanical engineering studies in the field of production technology, I was given the opportunity to do my diploma thesis in the field of toolmaking for stretching tools at the then beverage can manufacturer’s PLM plant in Recklinghausen.
After completing my studies, I started my career in production and technology.
Here I initially worked with a small team to reduce waste in beverage can production. Later, I gradually took over other areas of technology and was ultimately responsible for maintenance, servicing and project work in the entire field of can conveyor technology.
In 2007, I changed my perspective on our products and took over the position of Quality Manager for the Recklinghausen site for 10 years. I was able to interpret this position in a new and progressive way with a team of young and ambitious colleagues.
I held this position very successfully until the closure of our plant in Recklinghausen shortly after it was taken over by a large beverage can manufacturer, the Ball Corporation.
I then worked until June 2023 as a sector manager for 4 plants in Central Europe with locations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic as a cross-regional Continuous Improvement Manager and was able to gain my experience in this area.
Due to internal restructuring and a decline in orders after the pandemic in 2022, this position was eliminated in 2023. I decided to no longer work for a large corporation, but to make my knowledge, experience, ideas and manpower available to other companies and small businesses as a freelancer.
I can preferably do this in the beverage can industry, as I don’t need any training time here. This applies on the one hand to beverage can production, but also to the areas of companies or firms that work or would like to work in the beverage can sector: For bottlers, for suppliers of input materials, raw materials and supplies, paints and varnishes, for manufacturers of mechanical equipment for can processing and transportation, and for mechanical, optical or contactless inspection equipment, including camera systems or inspection systems for DPG, barcodes, dimensional checks, etc….
However, mine experiences are certainly also interesting for other sectors, as you don’t always have to reinvent the wheel, but many things can also be used and transferred to other areas.
My experience in quality assurance, lean management and project work is certainly helpful and valuable to others and I am eager to contribute to make work easier, reduce costs and increase efficiencies.
Just get in touch with me and we can discuss potential tasks
