My role
I’m heading the PEX department in the production business unit Blades. PEX stands for Process Excellence, which means that I’m responsible for the implementation of our lean strategy in Vestas Blades. In this BU, we have eight factories around the world and my department is supporting each of these factories in their improvement initiatives within lean principles. Moreover, my department runs global improvement initiatives, where we define and implement best practices globally. Being head of the PEX department also implies that I’m part of the executive management team at Vestas Blades and therefore of course together with my colleagues, I’m also responsible for the strategic development of this production business unit.
My career path
I joined Vestas in December 2009. Mainly my career so fare happened out side Vestas, even outside Denmark, because I’m German and I used to work a lot in Germany. The needed knowledge of lean philosophy and leadership competencies for my position, I developed during the last 12 years in several positions in the automotive industry. I was working 7 years for FORD as a lean management consultant as well as a production manager. And after that I had the pleasure to enlarge my competencies in consultancy business, e.g. at Porsche. During that time I was managing global lean projects for different customers in different industries.
My network
There are two important networks for my work in Vestas. One is the Vestas Blades management team; we structure our work more on the processes than on departments. A prerequisite for this kind of management is a teamwork approach based on the different processes. The 2nd important network is the so called PEX community: in this network the PEX heads from the different production business units in Vestas meet on a regularly basis to exchange ideas and to set the scene for the further strategically development of Vestas Wind Systems lean journey.
My Vestas
Vestas is a great place to work. I am really fascinated with the speed with which fast ideas are implemented. Everything happens really fast here. What you will experience in one year in Vestas, in my experience normally takes three years in other companies. This speed is of course a prerequisite for the industry we are in; the wind turbine industry is one of the fastest growing industries and if you want to be successful you need to speed up your organization. But nevertheless I also appreciate being a leader in a global company that takes diversity and inclusion seriously.
My life
As a manager it is so important to switch off once in a while. I have found three main hobbies they support me in relaxing: First I like to work in my garden. We have a big garden with some fruits and flowers and I really like this “down to earth” kind of work. If the weather is appropriate and I’m in Denmark I also like to sail on the Ringkøbing Fjord. Sailing is very relaxing: if you leave the harbour you also leave your daily work issues behind. And last but not least I am a hobby artist: especially etching is one of my favourite techniques.
