Thomas Marufke strengthens HAHN Group Material Handling Division

Thomas Marufke is expanding the management of the Material Handling Division as of August 2021. He takes on the role of Bernhard Rupke, who will retire at the end of the year. Together with COO Gregor Kessler, Thomas Marufke will continue to unify the division and expand its leading position in automation solutions surrounding injection molding machines.

As managing director, Thomas Marufke controls the expertise of the HAHN Group in automation systems for plastics production and processing. In his role, he will be responsible for the customer-oriented areas of sales and service as well as the oversight of topics relating to project management and technology. Together with Gregor Kessler, COO of the Material Handling Division, he will take care of the strategic development of the division. Both also take over the management of Waldorf Technik.

Through his career, Thomas Marufke earned many years of experience in the plastics industry. After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Marufke last worked for KraussMaffei Automation GmbH for over 20 years, of which he spent nine in the position as managing director.

The Material Handling Division includes the brands Waldorf Technik, GeKu Automatisierungssysteme and WEMO Automation with locations in Germany, Sweden, the USA and Turkey. A presence in Asia is also currently being established. These companies will benefit from Marufke’s profound expert knowledge of automation and robot technology for all aspects of injection molding production.

„I am delighted that we were able to win Thomas, a proven expert and great character, for the HAHN Group,“ explains Philipp Unterhalt, CEO of the HAHN Group. „With his skills and many years of experience as managing director, he will support our companies in the plastics processing market segment in offering an even more extensive range of services for our customers and partners.“

„The companies Waldorf Technik, GeKu Automatisierungssysteme and WEMO Automation are powerful brands that stand for the highest quality and precision,“ states Thomas Marufke regarding his new tasks. „I am looking forward to working with a strong team to further expand our customers‘ satisfaction, to grow internationally and to deliver economical solutions for injection molding automation worldwide.“

In his role, Thomas Marufke takes over the duties of the previous managing director and division director Bernhard Rupke, who is retiring. After a transition period, he will continue to support the HAHN Group in an advisory capacity. „We would like to thank Bernhard very much for his work over the past few years,“ explains Philipp Unterhalt. „With his support, we brought the companies in the division closer together and mastered the Covid period superbly. We wish Bernhard the best health and satisfaction.“