HERMA: Michael Handl - new Head of R & D

Michael Handl, 36, is the new Head of Research, Development and Application Technology for the HERMA Self-adhesive Materials Division. In this role, he is also responsible for technical service.

He succeeds Dr. Ulli Nägele, who has retired. Handl previously held a management position for more than four years at Zeller+Gmelin, a global, independent specialist in high-quality lubricants, printing inks and chemical products. He was most recently responsible for research and development for printing inks.

The Master of Science in the field of Applied Surface and Materials Sciences also worked for several years in research as a Research Associate at Esslingen University of Applied Sciences. "Michael Handl has in-depth industry knowledge and the best technical prerequisites to consolidate and further expand our position as a technology leader in self-adhesive materials in a highly international and demanding agile environment," says HERMA Managing Director Dr. Guido Spachtholz. Michael Handl himself outlines his ambition as follows: "My aspiration and goal is to further strengthen the high innovative strength of HERMA while at the same time making the development processes even leaner and more efficient. This is because the 'time-to-market' is developing into a key performance indicator. The digitisation of development processes is an essential lever for this." It could also further stimulate the rapidly growing area of sustainable self-adhesive materials.

"HERMA already enjoys an excellent reputation in this area today. However, a large number of new developments and advancements must be pursued in a relatively short time in order to achieve the ambitious sustainability goals that HERMA has set itself and consequently also to quickly open up new opportunities for our customers. I am looking forward to this ambitious challenge and am very confident because I have taken over a superbly positioned and well-functioning development department with highly motivated employees."