„It is not technology that makes history,
but the people who invented it.“

Ferdinand Porsche

Manage Crises, increase efficiency, secure the future

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Acon Partners is your partner for crisis management and the sustainable stabilization of manufacturing companies – especially automotive suppliers and machinery and plant manufacturers. With in-depth industry knowledge, strong implementation skills, and a clear focus on operational excellence, we guide companies safely through challenging situations.

Our focus is on providing support during critical situations. We address challenges along the supply chain, operational problems, and quality deviations through the rapid deployment of  task forces, led by project managers with significant industry experience.

Arrange an initial consultation now

About Us

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Acon Partners is a boutique management consultancy based in Munich. We support manufacturing companies in exceptional economic, operational, and strategic situations. Our interdisciplinary team combines strategic thinking with a hands-on mentality and draws on an extensive network of experts when needed.

Our services

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Operations programs / value creation

Rapid analysis, consistent prioritization and direct implementation of effective measures to overcome operational and financial crises.

Mann mit Headset und Laptop

Task Forces in Supplier Enabling

Identification of bottlenecks, process optimization, quality improvement and sustainable stabilization of the supply chain.

Herstellung von Autos am Fließband

Industrialization & Product Launches

Control of the entire ramp-up process – from development and prototyping to pilot production, series production start-up and SOP.

Monitor mit Charts

Program management

A structured PMO for efficient communication with OEMs and suppliers, as well as for managing operational challenges.

Interim Manager

Interim management

Experienced interim managers take on operational responsibility in critical phases – for example as CTO or head of large transformation programs.

Our specialization

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Focus on manufacturing companies – especially automotive suppliers, machine and plant manufacturers – with a deep understanding of global supply chains.

Our values

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Responsibility

We act like partners, not like external consultants.

Implementation strength

We deliver measurable results, not theory.

partnership

We work with our customers on an equal footing.

References

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Fahrerloses Transport Fahrzeug
Industrialization of plants at OEM customers.
  • Immediate measures to secure supplies
  • Stakeholder management and regular communication with OEMs
  • Introduction of an operational project management office

Task Force for Stabilizing Production and Supply Chain.

  • Implementation of short-term measures to secure supply to OEM customers
  • Definition and implementation of target picture (supply chain, logistics, production, personnel)
  • Structured stakeholder management, setting up a professional project management office
Fertigungsstraße Automobilindustrie
On-site management and ramp-up.
  • On-site / shop floor management to achieve target OEE
  • Conducting an organizational and technical workshop to create medium-term roadmaps
  • Regular reporting at the C-level
elektrischer Antriebsstrang
Troubleshooting and integration of camera systems.
  • Integration and evaluation of optical camera systems for quality assurance
  • Project management and reporting
  • Derivation of strategic and commercial solutions to achieve project goals

Get to know our team

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Our team combines expertise in the automotive industry, finance, production, and management. Each of our consultants brings many years of experience and a proven track record of success in crisis management.

Nils Garrelfs
Nils Garrelfs

Managing Partner

Nils Garrelfs has 18 years of experience in the automotive industry, gained through projects in Europe, China, Africa, and North and South America. He has held various positions at the BMW Group, the management consultancies Accenture and Berylls by Alix Partners, and as an independent interim manager. His work focuses on leading task forces through de-escalation, as well as developing and implementing structural measures for performance improvement. Nils studied International Management in Maastricht, Milan, and Vienna.

Philipp Grötzinger
Philipp Grötzinger

Managing Partner

In various roles at the BMW Group and as an independent interim manager, Philipp Grötzinger led projects in Germany and Eastern Europe in material and production control, plant planning and process development, plant scheduling and capacity planning, ramp-up, and plant relocations. At the BMW Group, Philipp was responsible for various components in the powertrain division, from the tendering process to industrialization and start of production (SOP). Philipp is a qualified energy electronics technician specializing in plant engineering (BMW Group) and holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Production and Automation Technology from OTH Regensburg.

Dr. Christian Sorg

Advisory Board

Dr. Christian Sorg is COO of Munich Electrification GmbH and an advisor at 8inks AG. Previously, he was responsible for various departments at the BMW Group in purchasing, quality, industrialization, and production, primarily within the powertrain division. The engineer, who holds a doctorate from the Technical University of Munich, has many years of experience managing complex supply chains and scaling innovative technologies. As an advisor, he brings in-depth technical expertise and a strategic understanding of corporate management, quality processes, production, and handling critical supply chain situations.

The Acon Partners expert network

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Expert
plant steering

Former plant manager with over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry in Europe and North America. Expertise in logistics, quality, and production.

Expert
Restructuring

Restructuring expert with significant experience in leading turnaround programs in the private equity sector and as Chief Financial Officer.

Expert
Shop Floor
Management

Interim plant manager at OEM suppliers in Eastern Europe; significant experience in performance improvement projects (OEE, quality, etc.), especially with direct shop floor measures.

Expert
Purchasing

Former Head of Electronics Purchasing at a Tier 1 automotive supplier with extensive experience with suppliers in Eastern Europe and China.

Expert Data
Mining / Analysis

Expert in data mining and analysis based on complex DOEs and methodological evaluation in the sense of Six Sigma.

Expert
Ramp-up

Former Head of Product Management Premium OEM with many years of experience in ramp-up from planning to SOP.

Expert
Lightweight construction

Former Head of Production / Product Development at a premium OEM with many years of experience in lightweight construction / CFRP (wet pressing/RTM).

Expert
painted car body

Former Head of Production Premium OEM with many years of experience in production / maintenance from raw coil to painted car body.

Join our team

Looking for more than just a job? Apply to Acon Partners and become part of the team. We’re looking for entrepreneurial individuals with a passion for challenging projects.

Apply at info@acon-partners.com

Project Manager (m/f/d)
more information
Interim Manager Operations (m/f/d)
more information

Please send your application to:
info@acon-partners.com

Contact

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Project Manager (m/f/d) –
Supplier Qualification (Automotive Industry)

Location: Europe-wide
Start date: By agreement
Employment type: Permanent position
Daily rate: By agreement

About the position

As a Project Manager (m/f/d), you will be responsible for demanding projects in the automotive industry, focusing on process development, supplier qualification, and efficient stakeholder management. You will actively shape improvement processes on the shop floor and support our customers throughout Europe in implementing sustainable quality and process standards.

Your responsibilities
 
  • Planning, managing, and moderating workshops with internal and external stakeholders
  • Developing and optimizing processes along the supply chain
  • Conducting supplier qualifications and audits
  • Ensuring effective communication between departments, customers, and suppliers
  • Tracking measures for quality and process improvement
  • Project controlling and regular reporting to management

Your Profile

  • Successfully completed technical or business degree or comparable qualification
  • Several years of experience in the automotive industry, ideally in supplier qualification or process optimization
  • Sound knowledge of shop floor management and production processes
  • Excellent moderation and communication skills in an international environment
  • Confident demeanor when dealing with various stakeholders
  • Fluent English skills; additional languages ​​are an advantage
  • Willingness to travel within Europe

 

We offer:

  • Challenging and diverse projects at leading automotive manufacturers and suppliers
  • An international work environment with short decision-making processes
  • Personal development opportunities and project variety
  • Attractive compensation and flexible work arrangements


Apply now: info@acon-partners.com

Interim Manager Operations (m/f/d)

Location: Germany / Europe-wide
Start date: By agreement
Employment type: Interim mandate (project-based)
Daily rate: To be agreed upon
Duration: 6–12 months

About the position

As an Interim Operations Manager, you will be responsible for managing projects for our clients. You will ensure that efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery are maintained at the highest level and support management in implementing optimization and transformation projects.

Your responsibilities:
 
  • Leading, managing, and optimizing production and logistics processes
  • Ensuring quality, cost control, and adherence to deadlines along the value chain
  • Analyzing existing structures and implementing sustainable improvement measures
  • Introducing or further developing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies
  • Leading interdisciplinary project teams in an international environment
  • Managing interfaces between production, quality, supply chain, and management
  • Coaching and developing managers and employees in operational areas
  • Reporting to the management or plant manager

 

Your Profile

  • Completed degree in engineering or business administration
  • More than 10 years of professional experience in management positions at manufacturing companies in the automotive industry
  • Sound knowledge of production management, lean manufacturing, and process optimization
  • Six Sigma Green/Black Belt or comparable qualifications are an advantage
  • Experience in crisis management, restructuring, or the launch of new production lines is desirable
  • Strong analytical and organizational skills
  • Hands-on mentality, assertiveness, and strong communication skills at all levels
  • Willingness to travel extensively within Germany and Europe
  • Excellent written and spoken German and English
 
We offer:

  • Challenging projects at leading companies in the automotive industry
  • Independent work with a high degree of decision-making authority
  • Opportunity to contribute to sustainable improvement processes
  • Attractive compensation on an interim basis

 

Apply now: info@acon-partners.com