Klaus Leitner, Ing.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Mahle Filtersysteme
Mayr-Melnhof Packaging
Autobar (Coveris) Packaging
Mayr-Melnhof Packaging
Mayr-Melnhof Packaging
Colthrop Board Mill
Mayr-Melnhof Karton
Austria
UK
Germany
UK
UK
UK
Austria
Automotive
Cardboard Packaging
Plastic Packaging
Cardboard Packaging
Cardboard Packaging
Cardboard Production
Cardboard Production
Managing Director
Managing Director
Operations Director
Plant Manager
Engineering Manager
Chief Engineer
Project Engineer
11/2012 – 02/2015
02/2005 – 11/2012
06/2003 – 01/2005
05/2001 – 05/2003
11/2000 – 04/2001
02/1997 – 10/2000
11/1992 – 01/1997
Managing Director
Mahle Filtersysteme Austria GmbH – Automotive Industry
Locations: St.Michael, Wolfsberg, Mattighofen
November 2012 – February 2015
As a leading global development partner for the automotive industry, Mahle Filtersysteme Austria
offers unique system competence in filtration& engine peripherals .Main customers BMW, Toyota, VW,
Audi, Ford and Daimler Benz.
Reporting directly to the Vice President Filtration & Engine Peripherals I am responsible for some 3000
employees at three fully automated production sites with a yearly turnover in access of Euro 500
Million.Managing both the business development and the business operations whilst taking full
responsibility for the P&L accounts for the company.
As a confident communicator I am able to build strong relationships both internally and externally
whilst steering the business towards set growth targets. Demonstrating with equal importance
excellent leadership skills coupled with a strong commercial awareness that impacts on and influences
the performance and effectiveness of this profitable business.
Achievements: Providing strong leadership to ensure the organisation attracts, retains and develops
talent across the business .Facilitating a culture for the organisation focussed on business development
and customer service. Managing and building key relationships with clients. Mapping & reshaping the
business by developing and implementing effective organization / clear reporting lines and utilizing
existing competences within the business. I am an active promotor of Lean Management / FPT (FlowPull-Takt) throughout the business. Developing and implementing business politics in harmony with the
overall global business targets. Designing & implementing a Shop Floor Management system / culture,
on the Shop Floor and in Administration, by following the set framework of S Q D C (Safety, Quality,
Delivery, Costs).
Managing Director
Mayr-Melnhof Packaging UK Ltd. – Cardboard Packaging
Locations: Deeside , Liverpool
February 2005 – November 2012
Responsible for over 400 employees at two semi-automated production sites reporting directly to the
Management Board located at Head Office in Austria. The company required a high calibre individual
who would manage to shape the company’s future position within a high demanding market. This was
achieved by a complete organization optimization / headcount reduction , implementation of various
improvement programmes including a Lean Manufacturing program, mapping & redesigning
operational performance. Main customers: Unilever, Mars, Kelloggs and Pepsico.
Achievements: Within the first few months it was essential to implement a highly detailed Operation
Controlling Program to enable Management to benchmark on a daily basis main KPI’s such as Health &
Safety , stability of product quality, machine performances, reduction of operational waste and
decrease of operation costs (KPI Dashboard / Cockpit) . I was able to deliver both operational excellence
and contribution to the shaping of the commercial footprint of this profitable business. Implementation
of leadership credentials within all levels of the business has proven very successful – Change /
Transformation Management . Introducing Health & Safety projects has resulted in accident reduction
and also in significant reduction of insurance costs & claims. Hands-On co-operation with the HR
department and introduction of a Company Training Academy has facilitated the development of
performance improvement and cultural change programmes. In turn this has resulted in not only
company growth but also improvement in company in company culture and individual development.
Re-shaping strategy and refocusing teams on ISO and BRC / IOP topics (Food hygiene & Food Safety
Standards) has resulted in strengthening relationships with current customers and winning new client
base resulting in incremental business particular in the food manufacturing business.
Operations Director
Autobar Packaging Germany ( part of the Coveris Group) – Plastic Packaging
Location: Ravensburg
June 2003 – January 2005
Within this position I was reporting directly to the Managing Director Rigid Plastic Packaging based in
the UK .A key factor for this position was to operate the factory in Germany completely remote and
daily decision-making was essential. Bringing the operation inline with up-to-date European
manufacturing sites was of primary importance.
Achievements: Establishing a core management structure by empowering the managers to control their
departments, set realistic targets and areas of improvement and measure their results . Implementing
a KPI – Key Performance Indicator – structure facilitated this development.
Introduction of the TPM module enabled the team further to focus on problem areas of the process
and also strengthened customer relationships by setting up TPM Triangles – Autobar /buyers / sourcing
units . Highlight of this exercise was the TPM Award 2004 accredited by the company’s main customer
– Unilever . Building a detailed purchasing procedure supported by IT development in form of
monitoring tools , benchmark facilities and accounting resulted in improved administration / supplier
monitoring and essential cost saving. Implementation a structured Capex Procedure enabling the
company to manage and control investments.
Plant Manager
Mayr-Melnhof Packaging UK Ltd. – Cardboard Packaging
Location: Liverpool
May 2001 – May 2003
Reporting directly to the managing Director I was responsible for some 280 employees .The plant prints
and converts cardboard primarily for the packaging of food . We have a diverse and highly demanding
customer base producing packaging for some of the worlds leading food manufacturer such as Kelloggs
, Unilever, Mars, Cereal Partners and Kraft.
The growth and success achieved has been facilitated by planning and control in production areas and
introducing necessary changes to achieve best practice and excellent results. Other areas of
responsibility covered overall budget and cost management including negotiating of the plant budget.
Facilitating on site ISO , BRC / IOP and Hygiene Audits .Liaison with HR to ensure training , development
and recognition for all employees .Development of relationships with Union, Environment Agency and
local community.
Achievements: Bringing MMP Liverpool from position 19 to position 3 within the MMP Europe Group
(23 companies) by implementing a restructuring program of the management team , introduction of a
Downtime Analyses System resulting in substantial decrease in downtime ; increase of production
output by daily target v actual analyses (daily production meetings) ; introduction of Internal Quality
waste system ; introducing of World Class Manufacturing System ; instalment of HACCP . Successful
integration of MMP Liverpool into the MMP Europe Group – Business Harmonization. Development of
a internal MMPeople Magazine.
Engineering Manager
Mayr-Melnhof Packaging UK Ltd. – Cardboard Packaging
Location: Deeside
November 2000 – April 2001
Within this position I was responsible for the management and development of the Engineering
department . Main responsibilities being management of budget , training and development of
employees, management of all investment relating to machinery and building enhancements. Close cooperation with production departments.
Achievements: Continually exceeding targets of machine availability’s and project management ;
controlling budget within agreed boundaries ; formation of a General Stores facility and inventory
control system ; development of communication between Engineering and production departments by
introducing of daily meetings and improvement of reporting and legal documentation system .
Promotion to Plant Manager at the Liverpool site.
Chief Engineer / Technical Manager
Colthrop Board Mill Ltd. ( Mayr-Melnhof Karton) – Cardboard Production
Location: Thatcham / Newbury
May 1997 – October 2000
Within this position I was responsible for the day to day running of the Mill with direct responsibility
for the management and the development of the engineering departments including the project
department , main stores ,Power Plant and the effluent treatment plant. The negotiations and
implementations of all energy contracts ,total value GBP 2.8 Millions per year were also part of my
duties. I had direct responsibility for GBP 1.7 Millions maintenance budget.
Achievements: Introduction of Training & Development programs ; continuous achievements of
budgets, machine availability and environmental targets ; development of Project Management
Strategy ; formation of an onsite CAD department ; introduction of Multi Supplier Energy Purchasing to
MMKarton Europe.
Assistant Chief Engineer / Technical Manager
Colthrop Board Mill Ltd. ( Mayr-Melnhof Karton) – Cardboard Production
Location: Thatcham / Newbury
February 1997 – April 1997
In February 1997 I was promoted to Assistant CE at Colthrop Boar Mill with a turnover of GBP 25 Million.
This single machine operation produces around 75000 tonnes of recycled cardboard with 170
employees.
Achievement : Promotion to Chief Engineer
Project Engineer
Mayr-Melnhof Karton Austria – Cardboard Production
Location: Frohnleiten
November 1992 – January 1997
My first appointment after finishing my technical education was as an Project Engineer in the Project
Department at the principal MMK plant in Austria. This two machine mill is the centre of R&D , training
and technology. I implemented contract requirements , oversaw projects through to completion and
submitted full technical reports on completion. My duties included project management and the cooperation of architects , contractors and public authorities. Main focus was placed on meeting
deadlines of projects within the budget & timelines and overseeing contractors and company personnel
by ensuring procedures , Health & safety rules and permit to work systems have been strictly followed.
Achievements: Successful project management and complete rebuild of the main board machines and
installation of a complete new RMP (refined mechanical pulp) Plant.
Promotion to Assistant Chief Engineer at Colthrop Board Mill.
Academic Achievements
1980 – 1985
1985 – 1987
1987 – 1992
1992
Grammar School , Stift Admont
Apprenticeship Fitter
Degree in mechanical Engineering
Graduated , Academic Title : Ingenieur (Ing.) - HTBL Kapfenberg
Prior to the Bologna process Austrian universities specializing in technical fields awarded a degree in
engineering after a study of a period of five years. This degree is in equivalence to the UK bachelor
degree BSc or BEng
Industry Involvement
-
Member of the BPIF Carton Executive Steering Committee (British Printing Industry Federation)
Member of the PF (Packaging Federation) Executive Steering Committee
The steering committees of both organizations are advisory boards providing guidance on key issues
on strategy and policies to both industry and at government level. The boards also offer peer support
to organisational members of the federations.