Online Symposium on Innovation and Automation in Remanufacturing

Thomas Meyer, Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH

Thomas Meyer studied at the University of Applied Sciences in Aachen, Germany, where he obtained a Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering in 2008. In 2008, he joined Lufthansa Technik, a prominent aeronautical service company based in Germany, as a Product Engineer. He held this position until 2014. In 2014, Thomas transitioned to Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH, a leading automotive remanufacturing company in Germany. He started as a Program Manager for remanufacturing HD brake components and was subsequently promoted in 2017 to the role of Team Leader, responsible for remanufacturing program management. In 2021, Thomas was promoted to the position of Director of Truck Services Remanufacturing and Resale EMEA.
Additionally, Thomas is a distinguished Member of the board of Automotive Parts Remanufacturing Europe.

Rajiv Ramchandra, Re:CREATe

Rajiv Ramchandra is the founder of Re:CREATe, India's first research and advocacy enterprise for remanufacturing. He received the 'Remanufacturer of the Year' Award in 2020 from Rematec. Rajiv is a Special Advisor to WaterSMART Solutions Ltd. and has extensive experience in corporate sustainability and policy research. He holds multiple degrees, including an ME in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sussex, an ME in Engineering Management from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and an MBA from RIT. He has worked with organizations in various industries and frequently guest lectures at universities in the US. Rajiv has spoken at conferences, contributed to publications, and has interests in sustainable business models and the convergence of science and spirituality.

Matthias Vette-Steinkamp, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld

Matthias is currently setting up a working group for remanufacturing system technologies at Trier University of Applied Sciences, Environmental-Campus Birkenfeld. From March 2012 to February 2020, he was head of department at ZeMA - Center for Mechatronics and Automation Technology in Saarbrücken. At the same time, he is a lecturer for industrial robotics and human-technology interaction and head of the international research cluster Robotix-Academy. His research focuses on the automotive and aerospace industry as well as agile production.

His research interests focus on the application of robotics and automation in industrial production. In this context, he leads and contributes to a broad portfolio of innovation and technology transfer projects aiming at the introduction of robotics technologies in the production sector according to the Industry 4.0.

Wolfgang Gerke, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Gerke is a Professor at the Trier University of Applied Sciences, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld and 'Assistant Professeur Associe' at the University of Luxembourg. He is an expert in robotics and control and studied mechanical engineering at the University of Duisburg. Before becoming a professor, he worked for more than 12 years in various companies such as Thyssen Engineering, ThyssenKrupp Encoke and Robert Bosch GmbH. He gave numerous presentations at international conferences and published articles in many journals.

Fernand Weiland, FJW Consulting

Fernand Jean Weiland has spent 30 years in management positions with Bendix Automotive, Lucas Automotive, Magneti Marelli Automotive and TRW Automotive.

Fernand Weiland founded the APRA ( Automotive Parts Remanufacturer Assoc.)  European Division in 1989, serving as the division’s first chairman for more than 20 years.  Between 1990 and 2010 he organised a considerable number of APRA forums, workshops and exhibitions across Europe.

A co-founder of the biennial ReMaTec remanufacturing exhibitions in Amsterdam, Fernand Weiland has written numerous articles for the ReMaTecNews magazine as well as editing five books about automotive remanufacturing in Europe. He was also instrumental in setting up APRA’s Asia-Pacific Division. Fernand was the 2019 winner of the ReMaTec Ambassador Award.