Jakob (M.) Hess
Interim Sales Director
Experience
Interim Sales Director
KOLBUS Group GmbH
- Reactivated sales after insolvency
- Focus on contract manufacturing and iron foundry
- Revenue: €50M
- Employees: 350
Interim Managing Director
DALEX Automation & Welding GmbH
- Restructured after insolvency
- Revenue: €20M
- Employees: 150
- Reported to shareholders
Interim Managing Director
EuroPriSe Cert GmbH
- Reported to shareholders
- GDPR Article 42 accreditation
- Built international sales network
Interim Managing Director
Boehm Group GmbH
- Reported to shareholders
- Revenue responsibility approx. €20M
- Personnel responsibility for 180 employees (now approx. 150)
- Stabilized customer and supplier relationships
- Structured production
- Post-merger integration
Interim Managing Director & COO
Teigwaren Riesa GmbH
- Reported to shareholders
- Revenue responsibility as COO over €20M
- Revenue responsibility as Managing Director approx. €2M
- Significant efficiency and quality improvements
- Structured production
CEO – CTO – CRO – Advisory Board Member
Self-employed
- Advised companies including Seysen GmbH & Co. KG; shareholder of EFAFLEX, PROTEC B.V. NL, and Matchbird GmbH – world market leader in serendipity services; private equity firms
- Internationalization of sales
- Increased production efficiency (30%)
- Established advisory boards (Protec, Matchbird)
- Post-merger integration (PMI) into the parent company / group
- Preparation for an acquisition (private equity)
- Accreditation of EuroPriSe Cert GmbH by DAkkS
Managing Director
EFAFLEX GmbH & Co. KG
- Responsible for revenues > €150M
- Responsible for approx. 1,300 employees
- Overall responsibility for sales (worldwide) & production in Germany and Czech Republic
- Responsible for R&D in Germany, Czech Republic & Slovenia
- Revenue growth > 15%
- Restructured the sales organization
- Reactivation of lost markets and customers
- Digitalization: Initiation and implementation of SAP-CRM
- Introduction of new products (e.g., machine protection doors, bulletproof gates)
- Internationalization (USA, China, India, Australia)
- New trading partners in Asia and Australia
- Implementation of company-wide marketing
- Implementation of document management
- Development of a KPI system
- M&A activities in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the USA
- Works agreements with the works council
Sales Director
Herzog Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
- Supplier in plant construction for cement and mineral production
- Revenue > €40M
- Employees: approx. 220
Managing Director
Inmess GmbH
- Focused on profitable product segments
- PMI / restructuring and site closures
- Market stabilization and establishment
- Product portfolio optimization and introduction of modular design
- Introduction of optical measurement technology as a new product area
- Cost savings through renegotiation and centralization
Advisory Board Member
FLSmidth Airloq
- Increased revenue from €7M to €25M
- Post-merger integration (PMI) of Airloq & FLSmidth Wuppertal into the group
- Product development
- Restructuring and consolidation of production at a single site
- Optimization of inventory turnover
- Product and process standardization within the group
- Acquisition of a medium-sized company
- Implementation of end-to-end IT support to increase efficiency in order processing
- Implementation of document management
- Introduction of key performance indicators (KPI)
- Preparation for production relocation to Chennai, India
Sole Managing Director of 3 Group Companies
FLSmidth
- Publicly traded Danish group in plant engineering for cement and mineral production
- FLSmidth Wuppertal GmbH, Pfaff Maschinenbau GmbH, FLSmidth spol. sr.o. Brno
Managing Partner
Hess Unternehmensberatung
Interim Managing Director
WIBERA GmbH
Events & Catering
Managing Director
Legris GmbH
- 80% increase in sales
- Built a tier-1 structure
- Restructured the exclusive dealer network
- Significant expansion of the distribution network
- Developed and implemented the European price list
- Developed the sales strategy and pricing policy
Head of Sales
Kugelfabrik Schulte GmbH & Co.
- Sales increase of approx. 12%
- Reactivated lost markets
- Internationalized sales (Europe/Asia, especially Japan)
- Established a sales company and partners in the USA and Japan
Head of Sales/Marketing/Customer Service
Ingersoll–Rand Group
- Development and sales of maintenance contracts
- Market analysis to verify the compatibility of competitors' spare parts
- Lead trainer for TQM measures at Ingersoll Rand Germany
Training Non-Commissioned Officer
Air Force Technical School
Training in mathematics, jet engines and physics
Machine Mechanic
International Harvester Company mbH
Training and qualification
Summary
Since 1996, I have been used to taking on entrepreneurial responsibility as a managing director. I am driven by curiosity and my firm belief that every company should actively shape technical progress in its industry with full commitment. I prefer to work in a medium-sized, family-owned environment. In my career, I have gone through all company phases: from start-up and business development to the design and implementation of global internationalization strategies, as well as crisis management or the launch of key digitalization initiatives.
Skills
Management
- Executive Management > 25 Years
- Personnel Responsibility Up To 1,300 Employees
- Revenue Responsibility > €150m
- Experience In Corporate And Medium-sized Company Structures
- Pmi / Integration Of Companies Into Corporate/company Structures
- Member Of Advisory Board / Board Of Directors
- Cross-functional Management Experience In Sales, Production, And Finance
- Restructuring
- M&a / Buy & Build
Industries
- Mechanical And Plant Engineering
- Process And Plant Automation
- Industrial Doors
- Automotive Industry
- Measurement And Testing Technology
- Cement, Steel Production, And Mining
International Experience
- Developing International Markets With Focus On China, Middle East, India, North And South America
Method Skills
- Strong Negotiation And Closing Skills
- Analytical, Conceptual, And Goal-oriented Working Style
- Persuasive And Coaching Leadership With Employees
Communication
- Open, Clear, And Respectful Communication Style
Personal Strengths
- High Level Of Authenticity And Persuasiveness
- Entrepreneurial Mindset And Initiator
- Strong Market And Customer Focus
- Sustainable And Holistic Thinking
Languages
Education
Fachhochschule
Diploma in Engineering (FH) · Aerospace Engineering · Aachen, Germany
International Harvester Company mbH
Industrial Mechanic · Industrial Mechanic · Neuss, Germany
WWZ der Universität
Master of Advanced Studies in Marketing · Marketing · Basel, Switzerland
Certifications & licenses
Marketing Manager (EBS)
EBS European Business School
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