Andreas Höhl

Head of Coating Department

Essen, Germany
Experience
Jul 2024 - Present
1 year 1 month
Morsbach, Germany
On-site

Head of Coating Department

Montaplast GmbH

Tier-1 supplier | international | > 1800 employees | exterior plastic coating | automotive industry

As Head of the Coating Department, I have full responsibility for the coating production area, including series production, polishing and rework, surface engineering, robot application technology, and coating plant engineering. More than 390 staff, including five technical managers, report to me.

My core tasks include leading the department both technically and disciplinarily, and weekly reporting of key metrics such as overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), machine utilization, setup times, scrap and rework rates, productivity per employee, and absenteeism. I also ensure the availability of personnel, materials, equipment, and coating plants, and drive continuous development of employees, processes, standards, and the organizational structure. A special focus lies on implementing and embedding lean management principles, especially for zero-loss production and continuous improvement (CIP).

I also plan and execute investments, manage the budget, and coordinate projects to successful completion.

In addition to setting and achieving annual department goals and individual targets with team members, I handle corporate responsibilities in labor, environmental, and health protection.

Mar 2023 - Jun 2024
1 year 4 months
Hardheim, Germany
On-site

Production Manager

Grammer Interior Component GmbH

Tier-2 supplier | internal | > 650 employees | speaker grille finishing | automotive

The Production Manager role at the Hardheim site included leading and coordinating production areas such as metal, glass, plastic, coating, and assembly, as well as technical departments like maintenance, facilities, and infrastructure. More than 400 employees were managed via four department heads. As Production Manager, I also represented site management, held necessary authority, and served on the joint committee.

My main tasks involved continuously monitoring and analyzing key metrics such as productivity, OEE, TEEP, scrap rate, quality, headcount, overhead costs, backlogs, and customer complaints. I also handled capacity planning, ensured new product launches, supported suppliers and customers, and participated in the approval of tools and fixtures.

Other focuses included budget and investment planning, applying lean management principles to boost efficiency, and developing processes, technologies, and organizational structure. I actively drove employee development, including succession planning. Together with department heads, I set clear targets to implement the company strategy. I was also responsible for corporate duties in occupational safety, environment, and health protection.

Apr 2019 - Present
6 years 4 months
On-site

Self-employed/Freelance

Konzept & Prozess

Cross-industry services - DACH region

PORTFOLIO: Interim management, production/shopfloor/change/lean management, project management, task force, product launches, bottleneck management, REFA, operations organization, unit setup/organization, functional coaching, team processes, interdisciplinary expertise, production line implementation, production/series changes, feasibility studies, product and plant relocation, audit preparation, product/machine acceptance, performance optimization, fault-finding strategy/resolution, process engineering, ensuring process robustness, maintenance, service concepts, technical specifications, new build/retrofit of production plants, plastic coating, interior & exterior, industrial coating, smart repair, coating process technology, surface technology, total coating plant project, process auditor VDA 6.3:2023

Jul 2016 - Mar 2019
2 years 9 months
Leinburg, Germany
On-site

Head of Coating Technology

Bolta Werke GmbH

Tier-1 supplier | internal | > 1250 employees | exterior plastic coating | automotive

My responsibilities included developing, operating, maintaining, and optimizing coating plants in Europe. Beyond daily production, I led projects to upgrade existing systems and processes and modify plant components.

I strengthened the production team in Diepersdorf through reorganizing staff and creating technical conditions to meet coating quality requirements and achieve audit readiness.

I was also responsible for designing and planning a new coating plant for the planned site in Hungary. I developed the concept for a modular plant, coordinated the layout design with the coating plant supplier, and prepared the detailed (160-page) technical specification. According to the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation IPA, this specification was rated 'very good' as fully adequate.

Dec 1998 - Jun 2016
17 years 7 months
Essen, Germany
On-site

Team Leader Process/Automation Technology

Faurecia Exterior GmbH

Tier-1 supplier | internal | > 500 employees | exterior plastic coating | automotive

My responsibilities included technical and disciplinary leadership of the Process/Automation Technology department, including building and qualifying a competency team. I organized and oversaw the robot-assisted coating process, continuous improvement activities, and project management from customer inquiry to series coating.

I handled robot functionality, customer projects, cost-driven implementation, budget planning, cost control, investments, customer/quotation inquiries, series readiness, qualification levels, employee training in ISO 14001, occupational safety, environment, and risk assessments.

Feb 1992 - Nov 1998
6 years 10 months
Essen, Germany
On-site

Surface and Robotics Technology

Dynamit Nobel Kunststoff GmbH

Tier-1 supplier | Europe-wide | > 650 employees | exterior plastic coating | automotive

My role included supporting series launches, ensuring color matching, and monitoring coating quality. In parallel, I led the project to implement robotics for flame treatment and coating, including required modifications and employee training.

I addressed production issues, developed coating systems, managed material usage, created coating programs, conducted safety briefings, handled robot malfunctions, oversaw maintenance, prepared quotes, and handled project cost estimation, planning, and execution.

Sep 1987 - Jan 1991
3 years 5 months
Essen, Germany
On-site

REFA Technician

Presswerk AG

Exterior & interior supplier | national | > 1300 employees | interior door panels | automotive

Production planning and control | work preparation

My responsibilities included planning, controlling, and monitoring production orders, as well as creating and maintaining work plans, bills of materials, and production documents. I also optimized production processes and supported the introduction of new products up to series launch.

Jun 1985 - Aug 1987
2 years 3 months
Essen, Germany
On-site

Shift Supervisor/Machine Operator

Presswerk AG

I ensured smooth production flow on the manufacturing lines, maintaining availability of staff, machines, materials, and product quality.

Summary

Experience meets structure – for stable processes, technically solid, clearly organized, and sustainably effective

With over 40 years of experience in industrial production, including many years in leadership roles, my focus is on the structured development and realignment of production processes and organizational units. I take responsibility where change is needed – whether introducing new technologies, integrating additional areas, reorganizing established structures, or realigning entire plants.

As a production manager with extensive technical expertise in coating technology, surface engineering, and automated manufacturing, I guide complex change processes from analysis through planning to successful implementation. I redesign processes, establish standards, ensure audit readiness, optimize resource use, and embed lean principles sustainably in daily operations. I use key figures not just for control but for the strategic development of entire production areas – aiming for stable, robust processes that last long-term and not just make a short-term impression.

My particular strength is linking operational excellence with structural development: I advance organizations, build solid leadership structures, qualify teams, and implement goal-oriented management tools. With a clear view of technical, economic, and personnel interdependencies, I can shape change in a stable way and make it lasting – with a clear understanding that real change takes time, consistency, and substance.

Whether in growth phases, turnarounds, or restructuring, I bring processes, technology, and people into a coherent, future-proof system.

Languages
German
Native
Education
Oct 1996 - Jun 1998

SOWI Institute | Essen

Technical Business Administrator (IHK) · Business Administration

Aug 1989 - Jun 1993

Technical College | Essen

Mechanical Engineering Technician · Production Engineering

Mar 1987 - Dec 1989

REFA Institute

REFA Technician · Work Studies & Operations Organization

...and 1 more
Certifications & licenses

Process Auditor VDA 6.3:2023

German Society for Quality e.V.

DGQ Internal Auditor ISO 19011

German Society for Quality e.V.

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