Leading and growing teams

Over a span of 3.5 years, Michael successfully built a team from the ground up, growing it to over 200 employees. During this period, he also scaled the plant’s revenue from zero to more than $100 million annually.

Central to his leadership approach is the focus on attracting and retaining talent with integrity and a strong growth mindset, ensuring that the development of employees aligns with the growth of the business.

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Manufacturing

Michael is passionate about creating and refining processes that consistently meet or surpass customer expectations. As a certified Lean Manufacturing expert with hands-on Six Sigma experience, he focuses on reducing waste and inventory while enhancing throughput time. A key aspect of his approach is actively involving operators, incorporating their input to ensure that processes are not only efficient but also ergonomically designed to support their well-being and productivity.​

Custom machine building

Before completing his university degree, Michael spent approximately five years building custom machines. His responsibilities included manufacturing individual components and sub-assemblies through various processes such as CNC milling, drilling, CNC turning, grinding, cutting, and welding, as well as overseeing the mechanical assembly of the machines.​

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Engineering

Michael holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the prestigious University of Esslingen in Germany, giving him a strong foundation in various engineering disciplines, including Structural Engineering, Thermodynamics, and Material Science. As a hobby, he enjoys 3D printing and has practical experience with both 2D and 3D CAD software, such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, PTC Creo, and Fusion 360.

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Strategy definition and execution

One of Michael's key strengths is defining long-term strategies and ensuring their dynamic execution.

Instead of crafting the strategy alone, he prefers a collaborative approach, working closely with his leadership team to shape the plan. A vital aspect of his leadership style is empowering each team member to independently execute their part of the strategy, fostering ownership and accountability.

Program and Project Management

In the past five years, Michael and his teams have successfully completed over 30 industrialization projects, representing more than $100 million in invested capital. Over 95% of these projects were delivered on time and within budget.

He strongly advocates for a standardized project management process, emphasizing open, transparent, and timely communication. To support effective project execution, he introduced tools such as MS Project and SmartSheets to his teams.

Construction

After relocating to the U.S. in 2019, Michael took on leadership of two major construction projects. First, he oversaw the renovation of a 50,000-square-foot facility, a $1.5 million project, to upgrade it to modern manufacturing standards.

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In 2022, Michael led the design, planning, and construction of a 200,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which included 15,000 square feet of modern office space.

In both projects, Michael served as the primary liaison with the General Contractor and Architect. He managed the design, executed contracts under AIA standards, ensured adherence to schedule and budget, and acted as the on-site representative for his employer to guarantee quality standards and accurate progress billing.

Warehousing and Distribution 

Michael was responsible for managing a built-to-stock warehouse where products were pre-assembled to ensure delivery within 24 hours.

He successfully implemented a process that not only met or exceeded customer expectations but also maintained cost efficiency with minimal inventory.

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He is well-versed in ERP systems, efficient inventory management, and pick-and-pack operations.

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