Christoph Westenberger
About me
In a time of global competition, increasingly scarce resources and growing uncertainty, professional expertise is more important than ever. Well-considered decisions must be taken dynamically in order to respond appropriately to changing markets, technologies and framework conditions. Complex interrelations have to be understood – and responsibility has to be taken.
Progress begins with a single thought – and it is up to us to turn that thought into reality. That is exactly what I stand for, because engineering is my passion.
Formal education
- Master’s degree in Applied Plastics Engineering
- Bachelor’s degree in Applied Plastics Engineering
- Certified technician in plastics engineering
- Tool designer for injection moulds
- Process mechanic for plastics technology
- Certified trainer (AEVO)
Current position
Head of Research and Development
Previous positions
- Plant manager
- Technical manager
Additional qualifications
The focus of my additional qualifications lies in leadership, process optimisation and methodical quality assurance with a clear focus on plastics engineering and production.
- Leaders Academy – 360° Leadership
- Master Craftsman Award of the Bavarian State Government
- Six Sigma Green Belt
- Lean Management
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt
- Kaizen Practitioner
- FMEA moderator – TÜV Süd
- Moldflow simulations
- FMEA training – TÜV Süd
- Cost calculation
Technical expertise
- Smart fabrics: Development and integration of functional textiles with sensory or active properties.
- Function integration: Combining mechanical, electrical and optical functions directly within the component.
- Multi-component injection moulding: Combining different materials for hybrid parts with enhanced properties.
- Additive manufacturing: Use of modern 3D-printing technologies for prototypes, functional samples and complex geometries.
- Prototyping: Fast, iterative creation of functional samples, test geometries and small series to validate design, haptics and technical properties.
- Laser processing: Precise cutting, structuring and processing of plastics and multi-material parts to create fine contours, functional surfaces or microstructural details.
Network
- Hochschule Schmalkalden: Practice-oriented education and applied research in plastics engineering – an important partner for material testing and development projects.
- SKZ – Süddeutsches Kunststoffzentrum: One of the leading competence centres for plastics technology in Germany, supporting companies with testing, training and industry-focused development.
- Hochschule Ansbach: Strong expertise in scanning electron microscopy (SEM), enabling precise material and surface analyses through modern microscopy technology.
- Kunststoff-Institut Lüdenscheid: Partner for injection moulding, surface technology and material optimisation. The institute supports companies in prototyping, tooling technology, series process improvements and practical plastics solutions.
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology: Introduces photonic measurement and analysis methods to characterise materials, structures and processes with high precision.
- SmartTex network: Connects textile technologies with electronics and functional integration. The network supports the development of intelligent materials, sensor textiles and innovative smart-fabric solutions for future-oriented products and technologies.
Innovation
Innovation is the engine of success. I consistently follow the maxim “Fail fast – learn fast” and start exactly where others stop. For me, the highest discipline of an engineer lies in the seamless integration of function and design. Technical brilliance alone is not enough. Only when performance, reliability and aesthetics come together perfectly does something truly exceptional emerge. That is how state-of-the-art is created.
Leadership
Leadership means giving your team a clear direction. My guiding principle:
“Without a destination, every harbour is the wrong one.”
Good leadership creates confidence – in decisions, in the course that is set and in expectations.
Leadership is an active process for me: providing orientation, setting priorities, removing obstacles and
enabling people to grow beyond themselves. Where leadership is clear and at the same time human, genuine team spirit emerges – not by accident,
but as the result of a shared mindset and lived responsibility.
Responsibility
For me, responsibility starts with decisions. Good leadership does not just mean delivering results, but understanding what these results mean in the long term. Responsibility means clarity: in processes, materials, resources and in how we treat each other. I act on the principle that every decision must be sustainable – technically, economically and on a human level. Sustainability emerges exactly where decisions do not only have a short-term effect, but stand the test of time.
Contact
I look forward to hearing from you.
Let’s connect and stay in touch.