Trainers

With a degree in Economics, Jonathan Bauer has been certified as a restructuring and reorganization consultant (IfUS Institute). He is an expert in business and performance management offering support in performance and profit improvement programs and in growth and restructuring projects. He is a trainer at Staufen Academy.

Jonathan Bauer has more than seven years of practical experience in offering business and performance management consulting service to industrial and commercial organizations. He specializes in preparing sustainability concepts, footprint and profit improvement projects along with their long-term implementation in the automotive, automotive construction, textile, food, and mechanical and plant engineering industries.

As a consultant and trainer within the WIEPROconsulting department at SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co KG since 2022, Yannic Blessin is in charge of the electronics plant in Bruchsal. Here, he launches and supports assembly and logistics projects. He is a trainer at Staufen Academy.

Yannic Blessin completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the DHBW Mannheim and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Graduate School Rhein-Neckar. From 2016, he acquired expertise in the optimization and redesign of production and quality assurance areas in his role as a project engineer at PFW Aerospace GmbH, a supplier of fuel tanks, structural components and piping systems for the aviation industry. Later, he was in charge of setting up the central Manufacturing Metrology function and successfully implemented process-integrated, standardized economic quality inspections. Before joining SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co KG, Yannic Blessin was an external consultant and was tasked with Lean Management and Task Force projects.

Jérôme Cieplik has been a consultant in the WIEPROconsulting Global Logistics Planning of SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co KG since 2019. He completed a degree in industrial engineering before furthering his expertise in logistics and digital plant management. 

In his role at WIEPROconsulting Global Logistics Planning, Jérôme Cieplik is primarily responsible for the realization of standardization and change projects at international locations. Moreover, he has also been assigned the role as Global Process Owner Outbound Logistics.

He initiates and accompanies integrated change projects relating to material and information flow design, and also standardization projects relating to logistics and assembly processes.

Pierre Cloth is a state-certified technician and qualified Six Sigma Master Black Belt and was trained as a Kaizen/CIP trainer at Novem Car Interior Design GmbH and MAGNA Interiors. Being an experienced project manager, he has been able to demonstrate his holistic view and a strong solution-oriented mindset in the fields of world-class manufacturing/engineering and value stream design in a number of projects and workshops throughout various plants and countries. Pierre Cloth is a trainer at Staufen Academy.

As Project Manager in several Six Sigma Black Belt projects, he has made significant contributions to improving and increasing the efficiency of processes.

Since 2007, Verena Franz has been with RECARO Aircraft Seating, and today she also collaborates with Staufen Academy, where she is a trainer. Initially joining the process management team in Schwäbisch Hall, she took on her first leadership role at the plant in Texas in 2010. After returning to Germany, she directed and globalized the complaints system, among other things, while she later assumed responsibility for quality management. Since 2022, Verena Franz has assumed global responsibility for the Lean and Management Systems Team. This included implementing the global Lean Enterprise Program and working on continuously enhancing the internal Lean qualification program. In 2023, Verena completed Lean Leader training. 

Moritz Gadow holds a degree in Industrial Engineering (M.Sc.). He is a consultant and trainer at Staufen. Moritz Gadow has extensive expertise in the methodology of lean management and a solid understanding of processes, particularly in assembly, production and maintenance systems. He is committed to developing tailored concepts and implementing them in a systematic manner. He has extensive experience in the aviation, automotive and mechanical engineering industries.

Moritz Gadow focuses on integrated optimization approaches with value stream design, the design of synchronized assembly systems and has expertise in value stream-oriented factory design, incorporating the optimization of assembly and logistics processes.

Guido Gratza is a graduate engineer in computer sciences and has a degree in human resources development (M.A.). He is a trained systemic consultant and coach and and is employed at Staufen AG as consultant and trainer. He spent more than a decade at Mercedes-Benz AG (Car Group), where he oversaw Lean Management Deployment and training for experts and managers and was jointly responsible for the successful establishment of Lean Management In-house Consulting. Most recently, he directed the Lean Management Training Center before joining Staufen AG as Head of Human Resources & Operations Service.

Initially, Guido Gratza was responsible for setting up the HR division of the consulting company focusing on recruiting, administration, feedback culture, potential assessment, and human resources development. Today, he supports clients from a broad range of industries worldwide as a Lean Management coach and executive leader trainer, where he effectively contributes his expertise in human resources development and Lean Management.

Rahel Heini has a Master’s degree in European Global Studies (University of Basel) and is a consultant and trainer at Staufen.Inova. Her many years of experience in marketing, sales and after-sales, as well as her knowledge of the cleaning technology, construction and electrical industries, make her an excellent customer experience manager. Her strong focus on marketing and sales ensures an excellent customer experience. As a communicator with a creative mind, she is highly skilled in project implementation.

Rahel Heini contributes expertise in the area of Lean Office and supports the optimization of processes with waste reduction, improved communication and the use of suitable digital tools. Furthermore, she has experience in introducing sales and operations planning and in interface optimization and organizational design in sales, marketing and operations. As a coach, she support executives in the introduction of Shop Floor Management.

Mariana Hergl is a trainer and consultant at Staufen AG. She is known for her high level of cross-cultural expertise and is involved in international consulting projects and in-house training in a range of industries.

With a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, she acquired her Lean Six Sigma Green Belt in France. Her wide-ranging expertise spans many different aspects of process optimization and Lean Management.

As an experienced trainer, Mariana supports future Lean experts and trainers on their career paths while inspiring them with the content of diverse areas – from the basics of Lean Management to topics specific to production.

Dr. Alexandra Hey holds a degree in psychology, she is a systemic consultant and coach, Lean Trainer, Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Scrum Master.
 
Alexandra Hey has international experience as an in-house and external consultant, in managing transformation programs for large corporations and as an executive, including as a member of the management board of a German insurance company. She is a trainer at Staufen Academy and instructs improvement experts and trainers. She specializes in the services and administrative functions in industry.

Jens Kittlitz has been working for SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co. KG since 1991 in the training department and in diverse cutting production areas. After the completion of his training as an industrial mechanics followed a long-term production practice in the fields of operating and fitting CNC lathe and cutting machinery. Further qualifying himself as a technician, he has been working as an instruction master since 2010, focusing on conventional CNC lathe machinery as well as on examining and team building.

Lukas Kreinest holds a degree in Industrial Engineering (RWTH Aachen). He is a consultant and trainer at Staufen AG. He combines a broad knowledge of production optimization and Lean Management with a systematic and entrepreneurial perspective on problems and solutions along with strong analytical skills and a quick mind.

With several years of professional experience in the automotive and supplier industry, in plant engineering and in the semiconductor industry, Lukas Kreinest also offers expertise as a Lean Consultant – primarily in the areas of production and logistics.

Detlef Kuhn completed a degree in Micro and Precision Engineering and expanded his professional knowledge in the areas of production technology and design. He is a consultant in the WIEPROconsulting department of SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co KG and a trainer at Staufen Academy. His responsibilities at WIEPROconsulting include the realization of change projects at international locations in Europe and market launch processes.

Detlef Kuhn initiates and accompanies integrated change projects in the areas of material and information flow design, process optimization and layout design, including MAXOLUTION system solutions. Furthermore, he leads training programs in Lean Production and conducts Best Practice Days.

Axel Davila Lage has a degree in Industrial Engineering and is a certified Change Manager, Six Sigma Master, and specialist for occupational safety. He is a consultant at Staufen and a trainer at Staufen Academy. His many years of experience include consulting and industry, where he worked for many years at plant and company level. His intercultural skills were acquired in various international projects.

He is a qualified expert in the areas of OEE improvement, TPM and maintenance, occupational safety, strategy development, Shop Floor Management and the design and implementation of production systems.

Dr. Achim Oberacker holds a doctorate in Electrical Engineering and has completed training for Design for Sigma Lean Green Belt (DIDOV), Six Sigma Lean (DMAIC) and Professional Scrum Master. He is a trainer at Staufen Academy. Achim Oberacker has years of leadership and project management experience in product development and production. He is an expert in Lean and agile development processes and R&D management. Additionally, he has methodological and practical knowledge of Design for Six Sigma, requirements management and value stream design. He has industry knowledge in electronics, mechanical engineering, automotive and transportation.

Other areas of expertise include over 15 years of consulting experience, including as a technical manager, more than 10 years of professional experience with a focus on Lean and agile product development plus integrated transformation and training programs and 10 years of experience as a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt (as a project manager and international trainer).

Maja von Olnhausen has a degree in Industrial Engineering and has been a consultant and trainer in the WIEPROconsulting department at SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co KG since 2007. In collaboration with Staufen Academy, she conducts several training programs at SEW. 

Over many years, Maja von Olnhausen launched and accompanied improvement projects at the Graben-Neudorf production and assembly plant and the Bruchsal large gear unit plant. She primarily concentrated on interlinking systems, operating concepts, optimizing setup times and material flows and redesigning assembly workstations.

Since 2016, Maja von Olnhausen has been involved in development focusing on process analysis and the design of administrative processes. They include the accompanying communication, interface analysis as well as the required knowledge management. She also oversees the conceptual development and rollout of tools for development projects involving interdisciplinary stakeholders. She played a key role in developing and launching sustainability processes. She was responsible for project management of the preliminary project for the new implementation of a PLM domain.

Marco Pett holds a degree in economics and specializes in systemic coaching. With many years of experience as a manager in the production environment, he is an expert in coaching executives. He is a trainer at Staufen Academy. Marco has expertise in the assembly and production sectors in various technologies and is highly effective with customers thanks to his combined management and process expertise.

As a consultant, Marco Pett has five years of experience in the field of Lean Leadership at Staufen and five years of management experience in several management positions at GIRA Giersiepen GmbH, where he also acquired experience in controlling. He is also a Kata coach.

Maximilian Reintke completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering (PTW at TU Darmstadt with a focus on Industrial Production Management) and is a Staufen-certified Lean Leader. As of 2019, he has been a Lean Manager at INSTA GmbH and is a trainer for the Lean Assembly I Small Series seminar in collaboration with Staufen Academy. 

Maximilian Reintke specializes in strategic and operational improvement initiatives across the entire logistics and production value stream (SMT and THT production) and particularly in the introduction of Shop Floor Management and its extension to Green Shop Floor Management. Additionally, he is a coach and leads KATA improvement projects. 

Nicolas Romfeld is a Systemic Coach, Professional Scrum Master and Industrial Engineer. As an experienced consultant, coach and sparring partner for managers, employees and teams, he is also a trainer at Staufen Academy. He is an expert in Lean Development and Lean Administration, agile methods and leadership and communication from strategy to implementation. He has a wealth of industry experience in services, mechanical and plant engineering, automotive and electronics.

Nicolas Romfeld has over 10 years of consulting experience in Lean Transformation in R&D and order fulfillment, production and management. For clients, he is responsible for designing and implementing tailor-made training and development programs along with the internal development of several professional and management seminars. He heads consulting projects that focus on strategy development, performance improvement, collaboration, product development, quality management and technical problem-solving.

Gerrit Speidel has a Master of Business Administration in General Management and is a trainer at Staufen Academy. He has many years of experience in product development an is an expert for Lean Development. Gerrit Speidel adopts a holistic and entrepreneurial approach to problem solving and has industry expertise in the automotive and trade industries.

With three years of consulting experience specializing in the optimization of indirect processes, Gerrit Speidel has also acquired over
ten years of professional experience as an engineer with responsibility for development, acting as team leader and project manager at an international automotive supplier, plus intercultural leadership experience as team leader of a development team in a service center in the Czech Republic.

Eric Nils Timmer holds a degree in Industrial Engineering. He is a trainer, consultant, and coach at Staufen Academy. As a lean expert and systemic coach, he is an equal sparring partner for executives and top management. He is an expert in achieving sustainable success by combining process and leadership excellence, with a focus on pragmatic concepts and sustainable implementation success and many years of leadership and consulting experience.

Eric Timmer brings more than seven years of leadership experience in automotive and FMCG and over twelve years of experience as a trainer, consultant and coach in integrated Lean Transformation and Shop Floor Management. Other areas of expertise include leadership, change and organizational development.

Peter Ullrich has a degree in physics and is a professional Scrum Master. He is a trainer at Staufen Academy and is also responsible for trainer staffing and instruction. He has operational leadership experience and manages international clients and projects. Peter Ullrich is an expert in engaging people in change projects and is experienced in training and consulting in direct and indirect areas. He also has extensive industry experience in mechanical and plant engineering, vehicle construction, services, and electrical engineering.

Peter Ullrich can look back on 20 years of experience in optimizing technical workflows and business processes and over 15 years of experience as a trainer and facilitator of change processes.

Nicole Ziegler has been a consultant and trainer in the international project environment for more than 15 years, for Staufen AG since 2012. Her consulting experience includes several years in Lean transformation projects focusing on operational excellence and logistics in a range of industries.
Among her references are the planning and implementation of Lean internal logistics concepts for new international factory planning for OEMs along with the implementation of streamlined workflow organization systems including training and coaching.

Nicole Ziegler has demonstrated her considerable training expertise in both the conceptualization and implementation of Staufen training courses including Lean Expert Training and customer-specific qualification programs for Lean basics in expert and leadership training.