Dr. Olaf Berlien

ThyssenKrupp AG is one of the world's leading technology groups. In its five business areas Steel, Automotive, Elevator, Technologies and Services, ThyssenKrupp achieved sales of EUR40 billion in 2004. In addition to steel and stainless steel, the most important products include components and systems for the automotive industry, elevators, escalators, materials trading and services as well as industrial services.
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Due to the increasing importance of system solutions and innovative services, the networking of areas of expertise both within the Group and with external partners is a major challenge for ThyssenKrupp. In addition to technological networking, geographical networking must also be taken into account. Around half of the approximately 185,000 employees already work in the 600 foreign companies. Around two thirds of sales are generated abroad. ThyssenKrupp invests more than EUR 630 million annually in research and development (R&D) in order to expand its leading innovation position. Including quality assurance, around 3,000 employees are entrusted with R&D tasks. More than 1,000 innovation projects are being worked on in 45 in-house development centers. The successful design of the necessary engineering networks is the subject of Dr. Olaf Berlien's presentation at the 13th Munich Management Colloquium on March 7 and 8, 2006.
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Dr. Olaf Berlien, born on 20 September 1962 in Berlin, studied business administration at the Technical University in Berlin, where he obtained his doctorate in 1992. From 1984, Dr. Berlien was responsible for the commercial management of his parents' company. In 1988, he moved to IBM Deutschland GmbH, where he held various positions at different locations. In 1993, Dr. Berlien became Head of Controlling and Commercial Manager at Buderus Heiztechnik GmbH in Wetzlar and in 1994 Commercial Managing Director of Buderus Hungary Kft. in Budapest. In 1996, Dr. Berlien joined Carl Zeiss in Oberkochen as Head of Industrial Metrology. In addition to positions abroad, he was a member of the Executive Board at Carl Zeiss from 1999 to March 2002. Dr. Berlien has been a member of the Executive Board of ThyssenKrupp AG since April 2002 and Chairman of the Executive Board of ThyssenKrupp Technologies AG in Essen since February 2004.

Status: Beginning of 2006