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The company builders
The supporters behind your new company
Prof. Dr. Volker Bräutigam
Faculty of Business and Engineering
Volker is professor for "Operations Management and Planning of Technical Systems" at the Faculty of Business and Engineering since 2013 and a enthusiast in the entrepreneurship at the university. He links the disciplines of production systems, competence acquisition, digitalization and individualized competence portfolio. The impact of these on future organizations in the manufacturing industry and opens up an interesting research area for him.
He works at the Center Intelligent Production Systems (CIPS) at the Institute Digital Engineering of the FHWS on the following topics in the field of integrated value creation: cognitive & immersive assistance systems in manufacturing, AR/VR/XR technologies and their impact in manufacturing organizations, assistive workforce management system, machine learning in operations as a tool in process optimization and, data-driven product. He promotes the field of Entrepreneurship, Thinking and Acting. His current research focuses on competence-based entrepreneurship education, innovation, and the use and impact of cognitive and immersive assistance systems in digitalized production. Previously, he had a long industrial career with automotive suppliers like Valeo and Borg Warner.
Volker is founder of optING, where he supports production processes, analyzes and optimizes value networks, lean management and the NewWork Movement for his customers
Volker is professor for "Operations Management and Planning of Technical Systems" at the Faculty of Business and Engineering since 2013 and a enthusiast in the entrepreneurship at the university. He links the disciplines of production systems, competence acquisition, digitalization and individualized competence portfolio. The impact of these on future organizations in the manufacturing industry and opens up an interesting research area for him.
He works at the Center Intelligent Production Systems (CIPS) at the Institute Digital Engineering of the FHWS on the following topics in the field of integrated value creation: cognitive & immersive assistance systems in manufacturing, AR/VR/XR technologies and their impact in manufacturing organizations, assistive workforce management system, machine learning in operations as a tool in process optimization and, data-driven product. He promotes the field of Entrepreneurship, Thinking and Acting. His current research focuses on competence-based entrepreneurship education, innovation, and the use and impact of cognitive and immersive assistance systems in digitalized production. Previously, he had a long industrial career with automotive suppliers like Valeo and Borg Warner.
Volker is founder of optING, where he supports production processes, analyzes and optimizes value networks, lean management and the NewWork Movement for his customers
Caroline Trips
Managing Director TRIPS GmbH
After training as an industrial business manager at Uhlenhuth Schweinfurt and further education as an industrial business administrator IHK, Caroline Trips took over her parents' company together with her brother in 1989 (formerly Trips Elektro-Schaltbau- und Vertriebs GmbH). Today, after more than 30 years under the management of the two, the TRIPS Group is a well-known and innovative system house with more than 280 employees and implements projects worldwide. In accordance with the company's motto "Ready for tomorrow", TRIPS is the system partner for opening up new paths and implementing turnkey projects in the fields of automation, process control technology and digitalization.
Over the years, Caroline Trips has been involved as a member and board member of the Wirtschaftsjunioren Schweinfurt. Even today, she is still strongly represented as a promoter in the area of start-ups and entrepreneurship. As a member of the IHK plenary assembly and elected IHK vice president of the IHK Würzburg-Schweinfurt, she is always directly involved in the business world and is familiar with a wide variety of business forms.
After training as an industrial business manager at Uhlenhuth Schweinfurt and further education as an industrial business administrator IHK, Caroline Trips took over her parents' company together with her brother in 1989 (formerly Trips Elektro-Schaltbau- und Vertriebs GmbH). Today, after more than 30 years under the management of the two, the TRIPS Group is a well-known and innovative system house with more than 280 employees and implements projects worldwide. In accordance with the company's motto "Ready for tomorrow", TRIPS is the system partner for opening up new paths and implementing turnkey projects in the fields of automation, process control technology and digitalization.
Over the years, Caroline Trips has been involved as a member and board member of the Wirtschaftsjunioren Schweinfurt. Even today, she is still strongly represented as a promoter in the area of start-ups and entrepreneurship. As a member of the IHK plenary assembly and elected IHK vice president of the IHK Würzburg-Schweinfurt, she is always directly involved in the business world and is familiar with a wide variety of business forms.
Bernd Schäflein
Executive board COO Schäflein AG
Bernd is a member of the board at Schäflein AG and is responsible for the operations of over 2000 employees. His passion is to develop new things and lead them to market maturity. Together with the passion of young founders and the experience of more than 20 years in the business world, convincing business models can be developed.
Bernd is the initiator of Cargodigitalworld, a logistics incubator, and accompanies the Executive Board in the role of Supervisory Board Chairman for strategic developments.
In addition, he has founded two other companies with young potentials and supports them in their development.
After his studies as an industrial engineer, Bernd worked for 4 years in an American consulting company. He then returned to his home country and joined his father's company
Bernd is a member of the board at Schäflein AG and is responsible for the operations of over 2000 employees. His passion is to develop new things and lead them to market maturity. Together with the passion of young founders and the experience of more than 20 years in the business world, convincing business models can be developed.
Bernd is the initiator of Cargodigitalworld, a logistics incubator, and accompanies the Executive Board in the role of Supervisory Board Chairman for strategic developments.
In addition, he has founded two other companies with young potentials and supports them in their development.
After his studies as an industrial engineer, Bernd worked for 4 years in an American consulting company. He then returned to his home country and joined his father's company
Christina Bräutigam
CEO optING Value Consulting
Christina holds a degree in business administration and was Head of Human Resources, Finance and Controlling for many years. At optING Value Consulting, she successfully advises companies on individually tailored HR structures, employer branding and personal marketing. As Head of Marketing & Communications at Deutsche Dienstrad GmbH, she is responsible for the sustainable brand positioning of the mobility technology company for the future as well as for individual questions and requirements of customers regarding the topic of service bike leasing and the targeted communication and competitive use of this benefit on the labor market. In addition, she gives lectures on the topics of NewWork, GenZ, generational diversity as a success factor in companies and other exciting HR-relevant topics.
Until the end of 2020, she volunteered on the board of the Junior Chamber of Commerce (deputy district spokesperson) and actively supports the region via the start-up platform "StartUp Schweinfurt". Through this platform, all those interested in founding a company can get a motivational boost and a cool network towards their own StartUp. Furthermore, Christina Bräutigam is a finalist for the WIN Award 2021 in the category "Leadership - Teamleader" and she is a role model for the campaign "Mach hier dein Ding" of the district of Schweinfurt to promote the compatibility of career and family.
Christina holds a degree in business administration and was Head of Human Resources, Finance and Controlling for many years. At optING Value Consulting, she successfully advises companies on individually tailored HR structures, employer branding and personal marketing. As Head of Marketing & Communications at Deutsche Dienstrad GmbH, she is responsible for the sustainable brand positioning of the mobility technology company for the future as well as for individual questions and requirements of customers regarding the topic of service bike leasing and the targeted communication and competitive use of this benefit on the labor market. In addition, she gives lectures on the topics of NewWork, GenZ, generational diversity as a success factor in companies and other exciting HR-relevant topics.
Until the end of 2020, she volunteered on the board of the Junior Chamber of Commerce (deputy district spokesperson) and actively supports the region via the start-up platform "StartUp Schweinfurt". Through this platform, all those interested in founding a company can get a motivational boost and a cool network towards their own StartUp. Furthermore, Christina Bräutigam is a finalist for the WIN Award 2021 in the category "Leadership - Teamleader" and she is a role model for the campaign "Mach hier dein Ding" of the district of Schweinfurt to promote the compatibility of career and family.
Michael Bleicher
CEO bb-net media GmbH
Michael has been an entrepreneur since he can remember and is only constantly learning from practice. He is also an expert in ReUse of IT-equipment for closing the loop.
Even as a child, he was fascinated by what was then still very rudimentary PC technology. He learned a lot from his father, who was a self-employed radio and television dealer, and founded his first company when he was only 15. Since then, he has become an integral part of the IT industry, exceptionally in the Circular Economy. As a visionary, he constantly sets new goals for his extremely software driven and automated processes. He is also the creative head of his company.
Young companies and groundbreaking ideas fascinate him. So he also regularly invests in start-ups.
Michael has been an entrepreneur since he can remember and is only constantly learning from practice. He is also an expert in ReUse of IT-equipment for closing the loop.
Even as a child, he was fascinated by what was then still very rudimentary PC technology. He learned a lot from his father, who was a self-employed radio and television dealer, and founded his first company when he was only 15. Since then, he has become an integral part of the IT industry, exceptionally in the Circular Economy. As a visionary, he constantly sets new goals for his extremely software driven and automated processes. He is also the creative head of his company.
Young companies and groundbreaking ideas fascinate him. So he also regularly invests in start-ups.
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Christian Trips
Managing Director TRIPS GmbH
After studying aerospace engineering at the Technical University of Munich and electrical engineering at the FH Würzburg Schweinfurt with a focus on information technology, Christian Trips and his sister took over their parents' company (formerly Trips Elektro-Schaltbau- und Vertriebs GmbH) and over the past 30 years has expanded the current TRIPS Group into a renowned and innovative system house with more than 280 employees. In accordance with the company's motto "Ready for tomorrow", TRIPS is the system partner for opening up new paths and implementing turnkey projects in the fields of automation, process control technology and digitalization.
Additionally, he is president of the Rotary Club Schweinfurt and is a long-time member and supporter of the Wirtschaftsjunioren Schweinfurt in the area of company foundations & start-ups.
After studying aerospace engineering at the Technical University of Munich and electrical engineering at the FH Würzburg Schweinfurt with a focus on information technology, Christian Trips and his sister took over their parents' company (formerly Trips Elektro-Schaltbau- und Vertriebs GmbH) and over the past 30 years has expanded the current TRIPS Group into a renowned and innovative system house with more than 280 employees. In accordance with the company's motto "Ready for tomorrow", TRIPS is the system partner for opening up new paths and implementing turnkey projects in the fields of automation, process control technology and digitalization.
Additionally, he is president of the Rotary Club Schweinfurt and is a long-time member and supporter of the Wirtschaftsjunioren Schweinfurt in the area of company foundations & start-ups.
Maximilian Ferdinand Diem
CEO Deutsche Dienstrad GmbH
Maximilian is founder and managing director of Deutsche Dienstrad.
With Deutsche Dienstrad he revolutionizes the areas of (e-)mobility and mobility technology. Deutsche Dienstrad connects employers, employees and dealers with a unique, fully digital infrastructure through which ‘Diensträder’ can be purchased and leased. Combined with personal service and over 100 years of family tradition in the bicycle business, they are driving the mobility revolution.
For Maximilian, the bicycle is not just a product, it is rather a strategic service that must be innovative and in line with the spirit of the times.
He started his career as a classic strategy consultant. At Deutsche Dienstrad, he is not only responsible for strategy, finance and sales, but also supports clients such as Fressnapf, the automotive supplier Hella and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in implementing climate-neutral mobility. He is not only fascinated by bicycles in his professional life - in his private life, too, he finds his balance on two wheels.
Maximilian is founder and managing director of Deutsche Dienstrad.
With Deutsche Dienstrad he revolutionizes the areas of (e-)mobility and mobility technology. Deutsche Dienstrad connects employers, employees and dealers with a unique, fully digital infrastructure through which ‘Diensträder’ can be purchased and leased. Combined with personal service and over 100 years of family tradition in the bicycle business, they are driving the mobility revolution.
For Maximilian, the bicycle is not just a product, it is rather a strategic service that must be innovative and in line with the spirit of the times.
He started his career as a classic strategy consultant. At Deutsche Dienstrad, he is not only responsible for strategy, finance and sales, but also supports clients such as Fressnapf, the automotive supplier Hella and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in implementing climate-neutral mobility. He is not only fascinated by bicycles in his professional life - in his private life, too, he finds his balance on two wheels.
Julius Kirchner
President FRÄNKISCHE Rohrwerke
After studying industrial engineering with a focus on technical management at the Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences, Julius Kirchner initially gained experience in management consulting and auditing.
In 2017, Julius Kirchner joined FRÄNKISCHE as a project coordinator in the redesign and implementation of the IT architecture (SAP S/4 HANA) and moved to the management board in 2019.
FRÄNKISCHE has been family-owned for over 100 years and has developed over time into a group of companies with more than 5,000 employees at 22 production and sales locations worldwide.
Last year 2021, Julius Kirchner took over the management of the family business in the fourth generation. His goal was and still is to preserve what is good and allow for what is new. Digitalisation and sustainability are particularly important to him. After all, sustainability is becoming increasingly important for the continued existence of companies. This is not only about the environment, but also about taking responsibility for the region, employees and future generations. This is particularly important for FRÄNKISCHE as a family business.
After studying industrial engineering with a focus on technical management at the Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences, Julius Kirchner initially gained experience in management consulting and auditing.
In 2017, Julius Kirchner joined FRÄNKISCHE as a project coordinator in the redesign and implementation of the IT architecture (SAP S/4 HANA) and moved to the management board in 2019.
FRÄNKISCHE has been family-owned for over 100 years and has developed over time into a group of companies with more than 5,000 employees at 22 production and sales locations worldwide.
Last year 2021, Julius Kirchner took over the management of the family business in the fourth generation. His goal was and still is to preserve what is good and allow for what is new. Digitalisation and sustainability are particularly important to him. After all, sustainability is becoming increasingly important for the continued existence of companies. This is not only about the environment, but also about taking responsibility for the region, employees and future generations. This is particularly important for FRÄNKISCHE as a family business.
Stephan Brunner
Founder Brunner Consulting
Stephan is an entrepreneur through and through. For 19 years he led a successful company as founder and managing director of Brunner GmbH & Brunner Electronic GmbH. Built from scratch with 150 employees and then handed this over to a holding company for further growth with great success.
Decades of experience in setting up and optimizing production and development support, with a wealth of experience in the fields of medical technology, mechanical engineering, automobiles, telematics systems as well as EMS and component assembly.
He is very interested and enjoys supporting young, courageous and ambitious people in implementing ideas and visions.
Stephan is an entrepreneur through and through. For 19 years he led a successful company as founder and managing director of Brunner GmbH & Brunner Electronic GmbH. Built from scratch with 150 employees and then handed this over to a holding company for further growth with great success.
Decades of experience in setting up and optimizing production and development support, with a wealth of experience in the fields of medical technology, mechanical engineering, automobiles, telematics systems as well as EMS and component assembly.
He is very interested and enjoys supporting young, courageous and ambitious people in implementing ideas and visions.
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