While still studying at the University of Applied Sciences in Dortmund, I found my way into the “fascinating” world of beverage cans.
At the beginning of my training, I gained my “first industrial experience” internships at the Hundhausen foundry in Schwerte. Further stations were at Krupp Hoesch's three locations in Dortmund Hörde, at the Westfalenhütte and in Bochum.
Towards the end of my mechanical engineering studies, specializing in manufacturing technology, I had the opportunity to do my diploma thesis in the field of toolmaking for stretching tools at the then beverage can manufacturer PLM in its plant in Recklinghausen.
After completing my studies, I started my professional life in the field of production and technology.
Here, I initially took care of the scrap reduction of beverage can production with a small team. Later, I gradually took over other areas of technology and was eventually responsible for maintenance, servicing and project work throughout the entire field of can conveying technology.
In 2007, I changed the perspective on our products and took over the position of Quality Manager for the Recklinghausen site for 10 years. I was able to reinterpret this position in a new and progressive way with a team of young and ambitious colleagues.
Until the closure of our Recklinghausen plant shortly after its acquisition by a major beverage can manufacturer, Ball Corporation, I was able to hold this position very successfully.
I then worked as a sector manager for four plants in Central Europe with locations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic as a supra-regional Continuous Imrovement Manager until June 2023 and was able to gain my experience in this area.
Due to internal restructuring measures and declining orders, this position was then eliminated in 2023 and I decided to no longer work for a large corporation, but to make my knowledge, experience, ideas and work force available to other companies and small businesses as a freelancer.
Preferably I can 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 wish to work in the beverage can sector: for bottlers, for suppliers of feed materials, raw materials and operating materials, varnishes and paints, for manufacturers of mechanical systems for can processing and transport, and for mechanical, optical or contactless testing equipment, including camera systems or testing systems for DPG, barcode, dimensional testing, etc.…
But certainly my experience is interesting for other industries as well, since you don't always have to reinvent the wheel, but many things can be used and transferred in other areas as well.
My experience in quality assurance, lean management, and project work is certainly helpful and valuable to others, and I'm eager to contribute here to make work easier, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.
Just contact me and we will discuss potential tasks