Ralf (Dr.) Raabe
Interim Management & Consulting
Experience
Oct 2022 - Present
2 years 10 monthsMunich, Germany
Interim Management & Consulting
Dr. Raabe Consult
Mar 2022 - Present
3 years 5 monthsSouthfield, United States
Vice President Global Engineering Thermal Comfort Systems
Lear Corporation
- Ensured a successful operational handover of the product line.
- Identified and implemented synergies across Lear’s overall business.
- Execution.
Nov 2018 - Feb 2022
3 years 4 monthsZürich, Switzerland
Vice President - Global Engineering Interior Comfort Systems
Kongsberg Automotive
- Worldwide responsibility for the development of interior comfort systems with over 200 employees.
- From September 2019 to February 2022 also Managing Director of Kongsberg Automotive GmbH in Hallbergmoos near Munich with about 120 employees.
- Rapid market launch of electro-pneumatic seat massage systems with 6 OEMs in the USA, Europe and Asia.
- Development and vertical integration of modern active seat climate functions based on the development of new motors and subcomponents.
- Reduced six external and internal development service providers by introducing in-house electronics development for hardware and software and building and managing a Technology Center in Pune, India, as a separate legal entity.
- Increased efficiency in development by consistently using agile methods and simulating products and processes.
- Drastically reduced employee turnover at the Hallbergmoos site after taking over management.
- Generated alternative revenue during the corona crisis by quickly developing and launching face masks based on materials from the seat heating business and using existing production facilities.
- Successfully secured cash flow during the corona crisis through appropriate measures.
Sep 2010 - Aug 2018
8 yearsMunich, Germany
Senior Vice President – CoC Electronic Systems
Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
- Led the Global Electronic Systems Center, managing around 600 employees worldwide for electronics systems in train control computers, brakes, doors, HVAC and power management.
- P&L responsibility for brake control electronics systems with revenue in the three-digit million € range.
- Implemented global electronics standards based on a developed electronics strategy.
- Maximized synergies and minimized existing product families.
- Introduced modular, scalable and standardized solutions for software, hardware and mechanical design and leveraged carry-over.
- Reduced costs by establishing best-cost development centers in Hungary, India and China.
- Established a Technology Center in India with over 300 employees for rail in cooperation with the commercial vehicles division.
- Developed a new generation of electronic brake controls, reducing customer project costs by up to 50%.
- Consolidated three product families for electronic brake controls into one modular, standardized platform with a successful market launch for Hitachi high-speed trains in England and for Hyundai Rotem metros in India.
- Successfully handled electronic project planning for over 200 customer projects worldwide and commissioning of trains at customer sites.
- Introduced agile development methods and a unified obsolescence management.
- Developed and implemented a connected systems strategy for all Knorr-Bremse rail subsystems.
- Awarded the Hitachi Rail Supplier Award 2017.
Jun 2006 - Aug 2010
4 years 3 monthsLippstadt, Germany
Vice President - Body Electronics
Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
- Product and development responsibility for the product segment with profit & loss responsibility of €300 M revenue in FY 08/09.
- Led 550 employees at 9 development sites in China, Germany, India, Romania and the USA.
- Achieved annual revenue growth of 18% (CAGR) up to 10/2008.
- Member of the advisory board of Intedis GmbH & Co. KG, a Hella/Leoni joint venture for wiring harness architectures.
- Delivered a profitable result in FY 08/09 despite an eight-month share of the automotive crisis.
- Industrialized 10 products in FY 08/09 and managed obsolescence of over 300 devices for long-term supply.
- Expanded the product portfolio by entering a strategic partnership with ZF steering systems and developing a modular platform for electric steering, leading to a high volume production order after meeting QKT targets.
- Entered the Korean market with energy management solutions for Hyundai in 15 vehicle models.
- Received the Volkswagen Group Award 2008 for body control modules for the Golf platform, keyless entry/go systems for the Passat and radio transmitters for Golf and Polo platforms.
- Received the GM Supplier of the Year Award 2006 for Hella body and memory seat controllers.
Jun 2003 - May 2006
3 yearsLippstadt, Germany
Head of Body Electronics Development
Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
- Responsible for development of the product families body control modules, access and authorization systems, roof control units and memory seat modules with 70 employees in Germany.
- Strategically planned the global development network for the electronics division; implemented and led the global network for body electronics.
- Globally implemented the Hella product creation process for body electronics.
- Expanded the customer base for networked roof control units.
- Developed a strategy for non-automotive products in the electronics division.
Jan 1999 - May 2003
4 years 5 monthsLippstadt, Germany
Head of International Projects
Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
- Led the international activities of the body electronics product line.
- From June 2001 to May 2003, focused on business development in South America (Brazil), which included:
- Business development for the electronics division reporting to management.
- Conducted negotiations with potential joint venture partners and evaluated production sites.
- Led sales activities.
- Established development sites in the USA, China, India and Romania for the body electronics product line.
- Successfully acquired and developed products for American and Chinese customers.
- Developed a NAFTA production site strategy (including due diligence for existing plants in the USA and Mexico).
- Completed a joint venture agreement to set up a production and development site in South America.
- Prepared a business plan and production site strategy for South America.
- Successfully won projects with Brazilian vehicle manufacturers.
Apr 1992 - Dec 1998
6 years 9 monthsAachen, Germany
Research Associate
Rheinisch Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH)
- Employed at the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL).
- Acquired and led projects funded by the EU, the German Research Foundation and the Steinbeis Foundation.
- Developed digital controls that were adopted into series production by European machine tool manufacturers.
- Earned PhD (Dr.-Ing.) on “Process Optimization for EDM Sinking with Neuro-Fuzzy Control”, grade: very good.
Jan 1992 - Mar 1992
3 monthsWorcester, United States
Developer
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
- Development work on an industry-sponsored project.
Oct 1987 - Sep 1991
4 yearsAachen, Germany
Student Assistant at WZL
Rheinisch Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH)
- Hardware and software development for machine tool controls.
Jan 1983 - Dec 1985
3 yearsHamm, Germany
Intern
Bergbau AG Westfalen
- Industrial internships in surface and underground operations during school and semester breaks.
Summary
- Strong, results-driven and persuasive leader with many years of management experience in international automotive and rail vehicle companies in a global, intercultural environment as MD, SVP and VP
- Methodical, structured working style with entrepreneurial thinking and actions
- P&L responsibility for business units and global setup and leadership of development sites
- Outstanding success in product and project management, design & development, professional product engineering with many years of experience in efficient and agile development methods
- Numerous achievements in crisis management and in restructurings/transformations
- Sales competence with strong customer focus and negotiation skills
- Constant drive to implement goal-oriented solutions with a consistent focus on results
- Analytical and decision-making skills with a focus on the essentials
Languages
German
NativeEnglish
AdvancedPortuguese
Advanced Education
Apr 1992 - Dec 1998
Rheinisch Westfälische Technische Hochschule
Dr.-Ing. · Mechanical Engineering · Aachen, Germany
Oct 1983 - Feb 1991
Rheinisch Westfälische Technische Hochschule
Diploma Engineer · Electrical Engineering, Communications · Aachen, Germany
Sep 1974 - May 1983
Märkisches Gymnasium
High School Diploma · Hamm, Germany
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