Experience | Thomas Kaiser
Extensive experience in projects and processes in the international automotive and commercial vehicle industries
Vehicle Integrated Photovoltaics | VIPV for commercial vehicles and trailers (2021–present)
Development and implementation of concepts for integrating photovoltaics into commercial vehicles and trailers – with the aim of reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in real-world vehicle operation.
Initiation and leadership of international cooperation and funding projects with vehicle and trailer manufacturers, technology companies, fleet operators, and research institutions. Key topics include technical integration, interfaces, energy and fleet management, and the assessment of economic viability and scalability.
Combining technology development, industrial application, and business development with the goal of moving Vehicle Integrated Photovoltaics (VIPV) from demonstrators into broad commercial-vehicle application.
Product Management for eAxles (2021–present)
Consulting and support for the development and positioning of electric axle drives for commercial vehicles – from product strategy and market requirements through industrialization.
Evaluation of product and technology concepts with regard to customer requirements, performance, cost, and production concepts. Support for product roadmaps, business development, and collaboration between development, production, and potential customers.
Extensive experience with conventional powertrains and global platforms provides the basis for a holistic view of electrified drive systems.
Business Development for Powertrain Plants (2010–2015)
Development and implementation of strategies for the long-term utilization and competitiveness of international powertrain plants.
Identification of new products, customers, and business opportunities as well as assessment of technical and commercial feasibility. Combining product strategy, manufacturing capabilities, and market requirements to develop sustainable business models.
The focus was on leveraging existing competencies and assets, expanding the customer and product portfolio, and securing industrial locations for the long term.
Project Leadership for New Global Axles and Transmissions (2005–2020)
Leadership of complex international product and platform projects for axles and transmissions in the commercial vehicle sector – from concept phase through series production.
Management of interdisciplinary and international teams from development, production, purchasing, quality, and controlling, as well as coordination across vehicle brands, markets, and production locations.
Responsibility for product targets, timing, cost, quality, and industrialization, with the objective of leveraging global synergies while meeting market- and customer-specific requirements.
Global Transformation & Change Management for Powertrain Plants (2010–2020)
Development and implementation of cross-location change processes for international powertrain plants and product platforms.
Coordination of technical changes and product measures across development, production, purchasing, quality, and controlling. Establishment of transparent decision-making and steering processes to assess cost, benefit, risks, and impacts on products and plants.
In addition, support for structural changes and global transfers with the aim of realizing cost potential, leveraging competencies internationally, and sustainably improving the competitiveness of production locations.
Reliability Management in Chassis and Axle Development (2001–2010)
Establishment and further development of systematic reliability management for chassis and axle components in the commercial vehicle sector.
Introduction and application of analytical and statistical methods to define reliability targets, assess loads and failure mechanisms, and plan efficient validation and testing programs.
Combining development, calculation, testing, and field data to secure product reliability early while optimizing development time and testing effort.
