Tilman Gühring - Interim Plant Manager | COO

Q: Where is Tilman based?

Tilman is based in Albstadt, Germany and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does Tilman speak?

Tilman speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Elementary), French (Elementary) .

Q: How many years of experience does Tilman have?

Tilman has at least 37 years of experience. During this time, Tilman has worked in at least 12 different roles and for 12 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 1 month . Note that Tilman may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Tilman's latest experience?

Tilman's most recent position is Interim Manager at KAYSER Filtertech GmbH .

Q: What companies has Tilman worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Tilman has worked for KAYSER Filtertech GmbH , HAUX Maschinenbau GmbH , and TIGURI GmbH .

Q: Which industries is Tilman most experienced in?

Tilman is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Automotive , and Construction . Tilman also has some experience in Food and Beverage , Aerospace and Defense , and Education .

Q: Which business areas is Tilman most experienced in?

Tilman is most experienced in business areas like Project Management , Operations , and Quality Assurance (QA) . Tilman also has some experience in Supply Chain Management , Product Development , and Sales .

Q: Which industries has Tilman worked in recently?

Tilman has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing .

Q: Which business areas has Tilman worked in recently?

Tilman has recently worked in business areas like Operations , Project Management , and Quality Assurance (QA) .

Recommended expert

Albstadt, Germany

Experience

Nov 2024 - Jun 2025

8 months

Interim Manager

KAYSER Filtertech GmbH

Managed two plants in the Czech Republic with 120 employees and €20 M revenue after a failed relocation
Stabilized processes and significantly improved technical performance
Reduced order backlog by 40%
Responsible for order processing and continuation of controlling
Integrated the plant into SAP

Aug 2012 - Sep 2024

12 years 2 months

Managing Partner

HAUX Maschinenbau GmbH

Responsible for company development and implementation of innovative (special) grinding machines and automation concepts
Managed international sales and customer support
Planned budget, results and cash flow for projects up to €1.8 M
Implemented Lean Management and KVP projects
Built supply chain in India
Led a core team of 35 employees plus contractors at €6.3 M revenue
Executed asset deal takeover in 2012 with 15 shareholders and turnaround in 2014
Drove growth from 2016 with innovation projects funded by third-party capital
Conducted investor process and sold 50% of shares to KIENER in May 2019
Stabilized the company after KIENER insolvency in May 2023 and secured a new investor in September 2024

Oct 2009 - Present

16 years 5 months

Manager and Interim Manager

TIGURI GmbH

Founded own GmbH for management and consulting primarily in mechanical and plant engineering
Led projects on innovation, transformation and standards in ongoing operations using Lean and KVP methods
Executed asset deal, turnaround and investor process implementation at HAUX Maschinenbau GmbH
Served as interim plant manager and turnaround manager at KAYSER Filtertech GmbH
From 10/2024 developed own machine and established cooperation in India
From 09/2025 designed machines and retrofit solutions for a Chinese customer
Conducted sales trips to South Korea and China in 11/2025
Prepared research proposals on machine learning

Oct 2009 - Jul 2012

2 years 10 months

Project Manager and Consultant

BERODE GmbH

Led value analysis, Design-to-Cost (DtC), supplier analysis and selection
Defined and tracked KPIs
Supported process implementation and continuous improvement (KVP) in ongoing operations
Assisted in project acquisition and partly implemented solutions with SAP
Optimized defense equipment over three years at Rheinmetall (project volume >€250 K, product value up to €10 M, series volume >€100 M)
Conducted cost target determination and significant cost reductions
Executed projects at MAN ship engines and in mechanical and plant engineering

Jan 2005 - Sep 2009

4 years 9 months

Head of Central Planning Engineering

Stöber Antriebstechnik GmbH

Managed technical department with a team of nine employees for a company of 500 staff and €86 M revenue
Acted as hands-on problem solver between development and production
Planned plant, manufacturing, warehouse and assembly across sites
Engineered special equipment for gear assemblies, tooling and metrology
Conducted budget and project planning and control
Administered time management and CAD/CAM/NC/MDE systems
Represented the company in VDMA association work

Aug 2001 - Dec 2004

3 years 5 months

Technology Consultant

Die Denkfabrik GmbH

Conducted feasibility studies and functional cost determination
Systematically optimized products and reduced manufacturing costs with clients and industrial designers
Executed quality management projects (FMECA) and Balanced Scorecards for R&D
Optimized products at Daimler AG, performed plant FMEA at BECKS, led tunnel construction innovation project at KAEFER
Managed transfer of ship panel to new markets at Meyer Werft and product optimization at SENNING Verpackungsmaschinen

May 2000 - Jul 2001

1 year 3 months

Founder

Benchmarking-Online GbR

Developed business plan, designed and built an internet portal and database for process benchmarking KPI comparison
Expanded consultant network from the ENAPS research project (Esprit 20888)
Acquired further projects (VDMA, Linde AG) and utilized the platform for shipbuilding benchmarking studies
Prepared a patent application in 2001 and filed for a relational database evaluation tool patent in 2004

Jun 1995 - Mar 2000

4 years 10 months

Research Associate

Bremer Institut für Betriebstechnik

Led and coordinated the international benchmarking project ENAPS with 23 partners
Lectured on factory planning
Developed methods for performance measurement and reorganization using the FI-Model
Managed benchmarking of logistics in six Volkswagen plants and three AEG plants
Project managed corporate logistics at Daimler AG and acquired EU projects under the Fourth Framework Programme

Feb 1993 - Nov 1994

1 year 10 months

Research Assistant

Institut für Arbeitswissenschaft und Betriebsorganisation

Assisted lectures in controlling and organization
Developed concept to integrate process costs into the simulation tool FEMOS

Jun 1991 - May 1992

1 year

Event Manager

ESCON-Marketing GmbH

Managed sports sponsorships for EFFEM and Eurocard at equestrian tournaments
Interned in the organizing committee of the German Classics international equestrian event

Mar 1990 - Oct 1990

8 months

Working Student

Guehring Automation GmbH & Co

Supported company processes at a high-speed grinding machine manufacturer during my studies

Sep 1985 - Aug 1988

3 years

Mechanic Apprentice

Trumpf GmbH & Co

Trained as a mechanic in punch and plasma cutting machine manufacturing
Worked in the training workshop and in production, assembly and production support areas

Industries Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.

Experienced in Manufacturing (34 years), Automotive (8 years), Construction (3.5 years), Food and Beverage (3.5 years), Aerospace and Defense (3 years), and Education (2 years).

Manufacturing

Automotive

Construction

Food and Beverage

Aerospace and Defense

Education

Business Areas Experience

The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.

Experienced in Project Management (30 years), Operations (24.5 years), Quality Assurance (19.5 years), Supply Chain Management (17 years), Product Development (15.5 years), and Sales (12 years).

Project Management

Operations

Quality Assurance

Supply Chain Management

Product Development

Sales

Summary

Technical and commercial all-rounder with deep expertise in engineering. Experienced manager as CEO | COO | Project Manager for companies and projects in technically demanding environments.

International/global work experience, especially in mechanical engineering/automation in sales, project execution and sourcing. Experience in turnaround projects for stabilization and realignment.

Doctor of Engineering with knowledge in development, design, electrical design, software development, documentation, CE compliance and machine directives.

Commercial skills as an industrial engineer including controlling, cash, budget and investment planning, management reports and cost analysis, as well as accounting.

Hands-on mechanic with a strong ability to start and quickly implement technical and process solutions on site.

Skills

Management
Marketing
Sales
Development
Design
Value Analysis
Design-to-cost
Standardization
Make-or-buy
Supply Chains
Plant Planning
Factory Planning
Software And Industry 4.0
Quality Management
Continuous Improvement
After-sales
Financial Controlling
Research
Training

Languages

German

Native

English

Advanced

Spanish

Elementary

French

Elementary

Education

Jun 1995 - Sep 2000

University of Bremen

Doctor of Engineering, Benchmarking in Corporate Networks as a Source of Insights for Process Design · Production Engineering · Bremen, Germany · 2.0

Oct 1988 - Apr 1995

University of Karlsruhe

Diploma in Industrial Engineering · Industrial Engineering · Karlsruhe, Germany

Sep 1985 - Jun 1988

Vocational College for Metalworking

Mechanic Apprenticeship · Hettingen, Germany

...and 3 more

Profile

Created

February 2026

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Tilman based?

Tilman is based in Albstadt, Germany and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

What languages does Tilman speak?

Tilman speaks the following languages: German (Native), English (Advanced), Spanish (Elementary), French (Elementary).

How many years of experience does Tilman have?

Tilman has at least 37 years of experience. During this time, Tilman has worked in at least 12 different roles and for 12 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 3 years and 1 month. Note that Tilman may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Tilman be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Tilman would be well-suited for roles such as: Interim Manager, Managing Partner, Manager and Interim Manager.

What is Tilman's latest experience?

Tilman's most recent position is Interim Manager at KAYSER Filtertech GmbH.

What companies has Tilman worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Tilman has worked for KAYSER Filtertech GmbH, HAUX Maschinenbau GmbH, and TIGURI GmbH.

Which industries is Tilman most experienced in?

Tilman is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Automotive, and Construction. Tilman also has some experience in Food and Beverage, Aerospace and Defense, and Education.

Which business areas is Tilman most experienced in?

Tilman is most experienced in business areas like Project Management, Operations, and Quality Assurance (QA). Tilman also has some experience in Supply Chain Management, Product Development, and Sales.

Which industries has Tilman worked in recently?

Tilman has recently worked in industries like Manufacturing.

Which business areas has Tilman worked in recently?

Tilman has recently worked in business areas like Operations, Project Management, and Quality Assurance (QA).

What is Tilman's education?

Tilman holds a Doctorate in Production Engineering from University of Bremen and a Bachelor in Industrial Engineering from University of Karlsruhe.

What is the availability of Tilman?

Tilman is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Tilman?

Tilman's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.