“Machines, mechanics and flow – leading hygienic pump excellence at GEA”

“Ever since I was a kid, I was fascinated by how things move. We had a creek near our home, and I spent entire days building small mills, watching them turn in the water. My grandfather was a smith, a true craftsman. He had an old smithy where people brought their tools: axes, horseshoes. He could judge from the color of the glowing metal when it had the right temperature to be quenched so it would harden properly. It was like magic to me. That deep understanding of materials and mechanics definitely influenced my path.”

Did that lead you to study engineering?

“Yes. At first, I dreamed of building airplanes or rockets. But instead of rocket science, I landed in the world of pumps. More down to earth, but just as fascinating.”

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

“Learner. I’m always looking to grow, whether it’s in leadership, technical knowledge or business. I read a lot. Books like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People or The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. Learning isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about self-awareness and improvement. I think that leadership starts with self-leadership. I used to focus deeply on technical details, but now, my goal is to empower others. I want to help my team grow and succeed. Of course, I still stay up to date with technology, but my main focus is on people.”

You’ve worked with teams around the world. What connects GEA employees globally?

“Last year, I visited our pump production sites in India and China, and I truly felt GEA’s values in action. Two of them, diversity and excellence, really resonate with me. Despite cultural differences, we share a common goal: everyone wants to succeed. If you’re open to it, you experience firsthand how we’re all rowing in the same boat.”

Looking back, what’s been your most rewarding project at GEA?

“Relocating the production of GEA Hilge pumps from Bodenheim, Germany, to Koszalin, Poland. It was a huge challenge, but we went through this change together and I’m incredibly proud of our teams in Bodenheim and in Koszalin. We can now produce higher volumes of our hygienic pumps in a truly global manufacturing setup. Production has been moved to our multi-purpose sites in Poland, China, and India, while Bodenheim remains the Global Center of Competence for Hygienic Pumps, housing engineering, sales, service, supply chain and marketing. For the first time, our pumps are being produced in true co-creation: one site cannot produce a pump without the other.”

How has this experience impacted you?

“It’s been a personal and professional transformation. Here in Bodenheim, we’re a smaller team now, but we’re more resilient. It feels like a reboot, with a clear vision for growth. If we deliver on that vision, it will be an exciting journey.”