Steffen Breitenstein (31) was already a member of the management board when he joined the company in 2022. Now, from August 1st, 2024, he will officially bear the title of "Managing Director of Burwinkel Kunststoffwerk GmbH".

A well-rehearsed duo

"I am very pleased about this important step in the course of our company's development. Steffen is an absolute asset to our entire team. Over the past two years, we have already established ourselves as a strong duo in the management team. We will now continue on this path," says Managing Director Martin Burwinkel.

Steffen Breitenstein is pleased about the trust and the new role: "In the first two years in the company, it was particularly important to me to understand the approaches and ways of thinking of the Burwinkel philosophy and to continue them in the future. The employees are the top priority."

The 31-year-old completed a dual degree course for a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in mechanical engineering at the PHWT in Diepholz and at the POLYTEC Group in Lohne. He trained as a process mechanic and then completed a part-time Master of Arts (M.A.) degree at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences with a focus on "Leadership in Organization and Society". Breitenstein is also on the Chamber of Industry and Commerce examination board for industrial masters, specializing in plastics.

Initially, he was Senior Lean Manager at POLYTEC Holding AG. In this role, he implemented improvement projects in the companies and conducted group-wide training courses in lean management. This was followed by positions as project and production manager, including building up the company in East London (South Africa).

Focus on sustainability

In 2022, Burwinkel Kunststoffwerk GmbH was able to recruit Steffen Breitenstein. In the Mühlen family business, he played a key role in developing the topic of sustainability in the plastic product. "We have an excellent starting position at Burwinkel, as we have been processing a lot of recycled and regenerated materials since the company was founded. This needs to be continued and expanded. A decisive factor in this are our customers. The topic of sustainable plastics is becoming increasingly important for them. Here we have a clear idea of ​​how we can use our expertise and the right choice of plastics to convince people to have products produced at Burwinkel," he says.

Breitenstein describes the collaboration in management with Martin Burwinkel as "dynamic, open and honest. Mutual support is important, especially when clear decisions are communicated. I particularly like the calm way in which problems are addressed and solved."

Challenging times

The plastics industry is facing challenging times with regard to the topics of transformation, circular economy and resource conservation. "If we are prepared to deal with it correctly and the political framework for it is created, then plastic can and will be the material of the transformation process to a sustainable future. We at Burwinkel GmbH feel prepared for this and are on the right path," says Martin Burwinkel.