Torsten Pfefferkorn

Experienced Interim Operations Manager

He is an experienced Interim Operations Manager with extensive expertise in the automotive industry. His career is characterized by strategic thinking and operational excellence. He specializes in change management and process optimization.

Base on special knowledges, such as Strategy and deploy management, KPI management, Lean management, Quality management, Project management, Time management, Leadership management, etc., combined his working experience and lesson learned, always led and supported many clients to achieve the target(s) successfully, include but not limited:

  • Optimize operational efficacy
  • Optimize supply chain management
  • Improve productivity and quality performance in plant
  • Improve ability of R&D for New product/project
  • Improve ability of management system and work team

Meanwhile, according development tendency of Industry 4.0/China 2025, he always studies that how to implement enterprise transformation efficiently. On the basis of expectations and reality, support them become more lean or more automation or more intelligence.

Volkswagen ATJ, Tianjin VR China Head of Product Technology, Quality Assurance (2018-2020) Head of Quality Assurance, Purchased Parts DL382 (2011-2018) Managed 25 employees. Fault analysis and product optimization.

Volkswagen ATD, Dalian VR China Head of Heat-Treating Department (2020-2021). Responsible for 250 employees. Process optimization and quality assurance. Led the Task Force Japan.

Liebherr MCCtec GmbH Team Leader, Strategic Purchasing (2022-2023). Focus on outsourcing to Asian suppliers, supplier management, material group, and procurement strategies

  • 1969-1979 Secondary education at the Polytechnic OS Pablo Neruda Greifswald.
  • 1979-1981 Training as an automotive mechanic at the Greifswald vehicle repair plant.
  • 1981-1984 Vocational instructor for electronic navigation at the Fleet School Walter Steffens Stralsund
  • 2015: Nomination to Volkswagen AG’s Management Circle
  • 2014: Management Assessment Center, Volkswagen Group Academy
  • 2013: Process Auditor VDA 6.3 Module A + BII, TÜV Süd Academy
  • Office software
  • Project software
  • AutoCAD, UG
  • Quality tools (SPS, Minitab, etc.)
  • VB, Assembly Language
1. Logistics. Key technology for efficient production
  1. Product portfolio analysis (products, dimensions, weights, etc.)
  2. Throughput analysis
  3. Space analysis
  4. Material flow analysis
  5. Incl. delivery and collection areas
  6. Information flow analysis
  7. Logistics solution: concept development based on 1-6
  8. Detailed solution
  9. Supplier selection
  10. Installation
  11. Implementation including commissioning and connection to the internal IT system
  12. Integration of customers and suppliers into the logistics system
2. Automation
3. Installation/Relocation
4. Improvement of existing processes,  cost reduction, waste reduction, inventory reduction
  1. Weak point analysis
  2. Technical and/or organizational solution
  3. Investment budget with ROI calculation
  4. Implementation
5. The development of processes for new products is also important.
  1. Implementation from laboratory production to mass production,
  2. Including the development of new technology

Future-oriented focus:

  1. E-Mobility: Ready to meet the challenges of electromobility. Focus on innovative manufacturing methods.
  2. Digitalization: Utilizing modern technologies for process optimization. Industry 4.0 concepts in production.
  3. Sustainability: Commitment to environmentally friendly production methods. Focus on resource efficiency and CO2 reduction
  • Strategic Thinking: Development and implementation of corporate strategies focused on long-term goals and sustainable growth while aligning operations with business objectives and anticipating market trends.
  • Team Leadership: Experience in leading large teams, with a focus on fostering talent and promoting employee development, while ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
  • Process Optimization: Ongoing improvement of workflows to boost efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring smoother operations and greater overall performance
  1. Quality Management Extensive knowledge in quality assurance and control. Implementation of quality management systems.
  2. Supplier Management Experience in building and maintaining supplier relationships. Ensuring quality and on-time delivery.
  3. Production Technology Deep understanding of manufacturing processes. Optimization of production flows in the automotive industry
  • Change Management: Successful leadership of change initiatives. Adaptability to new challenges.
  • Crisis Management: Experience handling complex situations. Quick and effective problem-solving.
  • Intercultural Competence: Extensive experience in international teams. Understanding of cultural differences


Sale up for Germany customer

0

%

Operation cost down for a local company

0

%

  • Support plant management for new automatic production line
  • Exit top focus for tier2 customers
  • Audited and coached the suppliers of OEM
  1. China: Many years of service at Volkswagen in China (2011-2021). Managed various departments in Tianjin and Dalian
  2. Global Assignments: Service deployments in various countries (2008-2011). Expanded intercultural understanding.
  • Quality Management System (IATF16949) / Production Management System (Lean/CI)
  • Strategic and Deployment
  • Balanced Score Card & KPI
  • NPI Management
  • Project Management
  • Process Optimize Management (VDA6.3/Lean process)
  • Lean/TPS Management (include administer / R&D / manufacture /logistical)
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Industry 4.0

Torsten Pfefferkorn

Nationality: German
Residence: Germany
Position: Interim Operations Manager
Year of Birth: 1963
Languages: German, English, Russian

Bernd Leiss

Expert in Cost optimization, Automation, Logistics, Industrial Design, Plant planning, and Relocation of Production.
Marketing, Market research
Quality, Supplier selection, Supplier development

Effective solutions for manufacturing, production and logistics are essential to survive in tougher competition. But also the right choice of production location and marketing. The optimization of products and/or new product development is another component in order to survive on the market.

Highly efficient production with optimal use of resources and equipment. High availability with intelligent material flow and sophisticated storage technology. Integration of customers and suppliers into an intelligent control system of all production flow system

Base on special knowledges, such as Strategy and deploy management, KPI management, Lean management, Quality management, Project management, Time management, Leadership management, etc., combined his working experience and lesson learned, always led and supported many clients to achieve the target(s) successfully, include but not limited:

  • Optimize operational efficacy
  • Optimize supply chain management
  • Reduce waste and inefficient operation, resource  and material usage
  • Improve productivity and quality performance in plant
  • Improve ability of R&D for New product/project
  • Improve ability of management system and work team

Meanwhile, according development tendency of Industry 4.0/China 2025, he always studies that how to implement enterprise transformation efficiently. On the basis of expectations and reality, support them become more lean or more automation or more intelligence.

Automotive, Ceramics, Chemistry, Cosmetics, Construction, Construction material, Electronic part manufacturing, EV Battery, Food &Beverage, Home appliance, Logistics, Manufacturing, New energy, Packaging, Pharmacy, Plastics. Quality / Validation, Testing / Validation, Textile, Built up, Relocation, etc.

Steel structure; Factory and production hall; Automation; Conveyor – / Transfer systems; Material flow; Handling/Robotics; Testing Equipment; Packaging; Special machines; Warehouse Systems, (Fully automatic); Process development; Quality assurance; Supplier qualification, etc.

Automotive OEM, (Pressshop, Bodyshop, Paintshop, Assembly, Logistics)
Automotive Zulieferindustrie
Food and Beverage
Automatisierung / Foerdertechnik / Materialfluss / Handling / Robotiks
Pharma
Plastics
Warenhaus / Distributionscenter
Logistics
Etc.

Senior project engineer & Project assistant manager for workshop – ENLIGHT (Dongguan)

Project manager & SQE engineer & Line leader – MITAC (Suzhou)

Dep. Manger of Technical department & Inspection Center – CAM PLAS(Shanghai)

Manager of Project Dep. & Quality Dep. – MYLIGHTS Technology (Shanghai)

Senior manager & Senior consultant – IMIG (Shanghai)

Chief Consultant & VP – OLMC (Shanghai)
Partner – IMIG

Partner – GTEC

Product / Process / Production /
Quality-Validation / Costs / ROI

Product to mass production
batch series production
large series production
mass production

Equipment
Human resources

Marketing, Sales

Industries:
Automotive
Ceramics
Chemistry
Cosmetics
Construction material
Electronic part manufacturing
EV Battery
Food &Beverage
Home appliance
Logistics
Manufacturing
New energy
Packaging
Pharmacy
Plastics
Quality / Validation
Testing / Validation
Textile

Technology
AGV
Automation / Assembly
Conveyor
Drone
Filling / Dosing
Handling
Logistics, Warehouse and storages
Measurement equipment
Packaging
PLC
Robotics
Etc.

Management / Consulting
Reduce to the max

Product evaluation / optimization regarding production

Process evaluation / optimization
Production evaluation / optimization

Warehouse/Logistics evaluation /optimization

Organization evaluation / Optimization

Total concept:
Cost reduction, Quality improvement, Investment, Financing, ROI Expert in Logistics, Industrial Design, Automation, and Installation / Relocation in China/Asia

  • Dipl. Engineer Design
  • 1983-1987 Fachhochschule Rheinland Pfalz, Abteilung Koblenz
  • Business Manager (MBA) 1992-1993: Rheinische Akademie, Cologne                
  • No specific certificates
  • The general approach is based on common methods such as:
    6 Sigma,(DMAIC), Lean Management ,Theorie of Constraints (TOC), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Benchmarking, Supply Chain….
  • Basically, the analysis of the product / services and the processes is the starting point for optimizing costs and improving performance and achieving quality goals
  • More than 30 years of experience develop, design of automation systems and and logistics systems.
  • Working as consutant and problem solver for many stock market registered companies, by example BMW, VW, Great Wall, etc.
  • During the years developing many solutions, which several of them had been patented.
  • Office software
  • Project software
  • AutoCAD, UG
  • Quality tools
1. Production / Cost optimization

Increase output while less costs and less resources and raise quality and  reducation of waste

a. Product portfolio analysis (products, dimensions, weights, etc.)
b. Throughput analysis
c. Space analysis
d. Material flow analysis
e. Incl. delivery and collection areas
f. Information flow analysis
g. Logistics solution: concept development based on 1-6
h. Detailed solution
i. Supplier selection
j. Installation
k. Implementation including commissioning and connection to the l. internal IT system
Integration of customers and suppliers into the logistics system

2. Improvement of existing processes,  cost reduction, waste reduction, inventory reduction
  1. Weak point analysis
  2. Technical and/or organizational solution
  3. Investment budget with ROI calculation
  4. Implementation
3. The development / innovation of processes for NEW products as key point for future developement
  1. Implementation from laboratory production to mass production, including quality and validation system and management,
  2. Including the development of new technology
4. Automation
5. Machinery and Equipment development
6. INNOVATION
7. Installation/Relocation
  • Higher Performance
  • Reduction of the error rate
  • Increase in quality standards
  • Higher awareness for management/innovation/learning
  • Competitiveness for new customer/new orders
  • Lean, target/cost-orient management system
  • Gain more return on investment
  • Improve customer relation
  • Increase sales

Broad experience in a wide range of industries, technologies and processes. Transfer of technologies and processes from other industries and combination to create the optimal technology/process for the respective project.
Extremely strong cost awareness.

  • Lean/TPS apply more areas (office management, R&D, production/shop flow, logistic, etc.)
  • Quality performance management (internal/external, 3rd-party)
  • Supply chain management
  • Excellent management for plant
  • Excellent management system
  • FOLLOW THE PRODUCT
  • Product investigation: What’s needed at the product to fulfill it’s function
  • ▶ Process, equipment, resource analysis
  • ▶ Added value /costs per process step
  • Performance management (BSC KPI)
  • Lean office/R&D/manufacture/logistic
  • Project management
  • Quality Management
  • Six sigma
  • Time Study (work sampling, MTM, PTS, etc.)
  • Data Analysis
  • VDA series standard, such as VDA6.1, VDA6.3, VDA6.5, VDA MLA, VDA NTF, etc.
  • Intelligent Manufacturing/Industry 4.0


Sale up for Germany customer

0

%

Costs down / Quality up

0

%

  • Depending on the case.
  • Sale: Product / Market ▶ forecast possible
  • Costs down / Quality up: ▶ 40%

Hennecke: 3 Years

Supply shop floor system.

Cost reduction -50%, Flexible systems, modular, spare parts, standardization cost reduction after sales -73%

Monopoly Ceramic part production:: 2 Years

Fully automated warehouse system:

Efficiency +80%, Cost reduction -62%, Throughput +70%, Personnel reduction -75%, Customer satisfaction: +81 %

Greatwall transmission manufacturing 3 years

Buffer warehouse between part production and assemblyEfficency +80%, Cost reduction- 60%, Lead time -60%, Personnel reduction -70%, Downtime assembly: -80%, Quality control: +80%

Trouble shooting Bodyshop. Ensure SOP. Support of suppliers such as Thyssen, FFT, and others. Modification at all essential stations, like body, door sill, sunroof, door, etc. so that the systems could run at all.Tolerance chain calculation, quality methods, quality calculations, redesign of cells and equipment

Dongguan galvanization 2 Years

Automatic measurement and adjustment of the galvanization baths

Efficiency +70%, Cost reduction- 50%, Personnel reduction -70%, Downtime: -80%, Quality: +80%

Strong background in design, manufacturing, production technology and organization. This allows me to identify and eliminate weak points very quickly. Broad experience in various industries and able to transfer the technologies/processes to other industries.

Extremely strong cost awareness.

based on the known methods, such as

  • Quality Management System (IATF16949) / Production Management System (Lean/CI)
  • Strategic and Deployment
  • Project Management
  • Process Optimize Management (VDA6.3/Lean process)
  • Lean/TPS Management (include administer / R&D / manufacture /logistical)
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Industry 4.0

Nationality: German
Residence: Shenyang, China
Position: Owner
Year of Birth: 1962
Languages: German, English, basics at French

China’s Innovation in Electric Vehicles

China's Innovation in Electric Vehicles

The global auto industry is undergoing a revolution, significantly driven by the rapid advancement of Chinese automakers. These companies dominate electric motor production and excel in integrating high-efficiency systems and digital features into vehicles. Chinese EVs, like Tesla, focus on innovative digital components, including autonomous driving, virtual reality, and multiple high-resolution dashboard screens. The term “digital bling” captures this trend.

Chinese automakers are ahead in the EV supply chain, emphasizing software and new features over hardware. For example, JiYue offers a saloon controlled by voice commands and touch screens, while Nio provides augmented reality glasses and advanced autonomous driving systems. Electronics and digital technology now constitute over 40% of a vehicle’s cost, projected to reach 45% by 2030.

Xiaomi’s entry into the EV market, with its SU7 model, showcases rapid innovation, competing with Tesla’s Model 3 by offering advanced autonomy and a lower price. Xiaomi’s success stems from fast-follower techniques and leveraging China’s dynamic supply chain. Tesla’s “gigacasting” process for manufacturing is also being adopted and innovated by Chinese companies like Nio and XPeng.

Chinese EV makers benefit from strategic partnerships with Western firms and government policies that foster technological development. These collaborations enhance local market understanding and technological advancements, positioning China as a leader in the global EV market.
Source: itif.org

    Experts in the Automotive Industry Asia

    You need one, but don`t want to hire one permanently?

    Our solution: To rent our experts

    • On pay-to-use basis
    • Completely flexible
    • Contract can be cancelled any time

    Clearly represented reports and dashboards inclusive!



    Despite Policy Friction, China’s Auto Industry Thrives in First Quarter

    Recent data reveals a notable expansion in China’s automobile sales and production, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, during the first quarter of 2024 amidst escalating tensions with Western nations regarding industry support policies.

    China's Auto Industry Thrives in First Quarter

    According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, auto sales in China surged by 10.6% to reach 6.72 million vehicles in the initial quarter of the year. State-run Xinhua News Agency, citing association figures, reported a 6.4% year-on-year increase in the country’s auto output to 6.6 million units during the same period.

    The production of new-energy vehicles (NEVs) demonstrated significant growth, soaring by 28% compared to the previous year to reach 2.1 million units. NEV sales also experienced a substantial increase of nearly 32%, totaling 2.09 million units. China, already the largest auto exporter globally, witnessed a 33% rise in overseas shipments to 1.32 million units in the first quarter.

    In response to criticism from the U.S. and Europe alleging excess EV capacity due to China’s industrial policies, Xinhua defended China’s position, stating that such accusations were unfounded. The commentary emphasized that claims of overcapacity in China’s EV industry were baseless, despite remarks from U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during her recent visit to the country regarding artificially low-priced Chinese goods.

    While China’s economy, the world’s second-largest, has faced challenges in returning to pre-pandemic growth levels, concerns have arisen over government support favoring supply chains over consumer spending. This has led to apprehensions about potential export subsidies in the automotive and green energy sectors.

    Experts in the Automotive Industry Asia

    You need one, but don`t want to hire one permanently?

    Our solution: To rent our experts

    • On pay-to-use basis
    • Completely flexible
    • Contract can be cancelled any time

    Clearly represented reports and dashboards inclusive!



    James Lu (Lu Hui)

    Interim Project Management China

    James. Lu has more than 10 years factory working experience from engineer to manager, and 10+ years’ experience as a professional management consultant in enterprise management, include Electrical and Electronic, Automotive, Mechanical Engineering, Home Appliances, Communications, Building and Construction, etc.

    Base on special knowledges, such as Strategy and deploy management, KPI management, Lean management, Quality management, Project management, Time management, Leadership management, etc., combined his working experience and lesson learned, always led and supported many clients to achieve the target(s) successfully, include but not limited:

    • Optimize operational efficacy
    • Optimize supply chain management
    • Improve productivity and quality performance in plant
    • Improve ability of R&D for New product/project
    • Improve ability of management system and work team

    Meanwhile, according development tendency of Industry 4.0/China 2025, he always studies that how to implement enterprise transformation efficiently. On the basis of expectations and reality, support them become more lean or more automation or more intelligence.

    Senior project engineer & Project assistant manager for workshop – ENLIGHT (Dongguan)

    Project manager & SQE engineer & Line leader – MITAC (Suzhou)

    Dep. Manger of Technical department & Inspection Center – CAM PLAS(Shanghai)

    Manager of Project Dep. & Quality Dep. – MYLIGHTS Technology (Shanghai)

    Senior manager & Senior consultant – IMIG (Shanghai)

    Chief Consultant & VP – OLMC (Shanghai)
    Partner – IMIG

    Partner – GTEC

    • Chengdu Technological University 2000.09-2003.07 College degree
    • Mechanical Manufacture and Automation
    • Process Auditor VDA6.3 (VDA QMC)    
    • Project Management Professional (PMI)
    • IATF 16969 Auditor
    • Office software
    • Project software
    • AutoCAD, UG
    • Quality tools (SPS, Minitab, etc.)
    • VB, Assembly Language

    Training/Coaching/Implementation

    • Optimize management system according reality and purpose
    • Improvement KPI performance
    • Improvement process efficiency, like VDA6.3 audit, Lean process.
    • Optimize QCD for NPI/projects
    • Cost down for manufactory
    • Decrease quality loss
    • Improvement performance on clients’ side
    • Enhance team ability for problem solving/time management/project management/leadership
    • Support to enterprise transformation
    • Higher implementation
    • Higher awareness for management/innovation/learning
    • Continually enhance Kaizen system/culture
    • Competitiveness for new customer/new orders
    • Lean, target/cost-orient management system
    • Gain more return on investment

    More experience and more thinking and more innovation:

    • IATF16949/VDA6.3
    • Effective project management for NPI/project
    • Lean/TPS apply more areas (office management, R&D, production/shop flow, logistic, etc.)
    • Quality performance management (internal/external, 3rd-party)
    • Supply chain management
    • Excellent management for plant
    • Excellent management system
    • IATF series standard, such as 16949, APQP/CP, PFMEA, PPAP, SPC, MSA,
    • Policy deployment (Hoshin Kanri)
    • Performance management (BSC KPI)
    • Lean office/R&D/manufacture/logistic
    • Project management
    • Quality Management
    • Six sigma
    • Time Study (work sampling, MTM, PTS, etc.)
    • Data Analysis
    • VDA series standard, such as VDA6.1, VDA6.3, VDA6.5, VDA MLA, VDA NTF, etc.
    • Intelligent Manufacturing/Industry 4.0


    Sale up for Germany customer

    0

    %

    Operation cost down for a local company

    0

    %

    • Support plant management for new automatic production line
    • Exit top focus for tier2 customers
    • Audited and coached the suppliers of OEM

    Optimized Operations – within 8 months:

    • Achieved 5x ROI: assisted team to achieve its annual objectives and operational cost reduction target. 11 projects that included Pull Systems, Single Minute Exchange of Die, Total Preventative Maintenance, Standard Work and Layout Optimization had executed by teams.
    • Trained employees with appropriate Lean methods and tools.

    Automatic Factory Project – within 6 months:

    • Re-layout Production line and Improvement benefit for operation by Lean
    • Improved 10.5% work efficiency
    • Reduced 30% WIP quantity
    • Reduced 40% production cycle
    • Reduced 50% WIP inventory

    SCM Optimization – within 7 months:

    • Optimize SCM and Reduce procurement cost >=10%
    • Reduced investment and procurement costs by 15% and 30%, respectively
    • Implemented supply chain process to source parts locally

    Customer Performance Improvement – within 6 months:

    • Improvement quality performance and exit for customer top focus 
    • Reduced customer-side accidents from 6 to 0
    • Reduced customer complaints from 43 to <14
    • Reduced PPM (from 191 to 70)
    • Reduced the # of CSL2 variety from 42 to 22

    VDA6.3 process improvement – within 6 months:

    • VDA6.3 audit score @ 89%
    • KPI optimizing
    • Organizational restructuring and Q-system optimizing

    Suppliers Management – over 3 years:

    • Project management & Quality support for 11 suppliers in China
    • Technical supporting and Problem solving for production & testing
    • Business and technology communication
    • Quality Management System (IATF16949) / Production Management System (Lean/CI)
    • Strategic and Deployment
    • Balanced Score Card & KPI
    • NPI Management
    • Project Management
    • Process Optimize Management (VDA6.3/Lean process)
    • Lean/TPS Management (include administer / R&D / manufacture /logistical)
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Industry 4.0

    James Lu, a professional management consultant
    James Lu, a professional management consultant

    Nationality: Chinese
    Residence: Kun Shan, China
    Position: Project Management
    Year of Birth: 1978
    Languages: English, Chinese