Florian Heinz, Head of the Operating Technology Department, with RAPA since 2013
"I learned a lot through learning by doing. You have to be open to new things and willing to take on responsibility."
Florian's career path at RAPA began in 2013 with an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk, during which he worked in all commercial areas - from purchasing and accounting to production and sales. During his training, he was able to gain a lot of theoretical and practical knowledge and interesting impressions, which helped him to successfully complete his training in 2016. After being transferred to Strategic Purchasing, one thing quickly became clear to him: "Sitting at a desk all day wasn't really my thing." He finally found the mix of office work and technical work he was looking for in the operating technology department, where he particularly enjoys the variety of tasks: "It never gets boring - you have a plan in the morning and it looks completely different in the evening." Here, Florian initially took on commercial and administrative tasks such as cost control, ordering, project planning and coordination with other departments. Later, he also occasionally took on technical tasks, in which his colleagues always supported him. After six years of actively enriching the operating technology team and learning day by day, he took over the management of the department in 2023 - a role that he fills with passion. "I trust my team and their expertise. Without them, success would not be possible." That's why his advice to new colleagues is: "Just be open and communicative. At RAPA, there is always the opportunity to find your place - whether in the office or in technology."
Corinna Wendler, Assembly Manager, with RAPA since 2008
"There is no competition in the team, everyone helps together - that's how it should be!"
What began in 2008 with her training as a machine and plant operator at RAPA developed into a real success story thanks to her ambition, team spirit and the support of the company. After her training, Corinna worked as a production specialist before being promoted to machine and plant operator. Cooperation with her team has always been crucial: "Working together makes it easy. Everyone helps each other here." With the backing of the company and her team, she later took over shift management: "When I became a shift supervisor and realized that people respected me and how much I enjoyed organizing and the responsible role, I knew I was on the right track." More motivated than ever, she embarked on the next milestone on her journey in 2021: the in-service training to become a metalworking foreman. Strengthened in all respects by RAPA and the constant support of her team, she successfully completed the two-year training course. During this time, RAPA made it possible for her to work early shifts, which was a great advantage for her to combine evening school, work and learning in the best possible way. The training enabled her to develop both personally and professionally, and in 2023 she continued her path towards assembly management, where she provides more operational support away from shift work. Here, Corinna ensures that production runs smoothly and finds her purpose in organizing, structuring and guiding her team. It is particularly important to her to pass on her knowledge and give her team the backing she has always been able to rely on in the past: "It's not about assigning tasks to people, but simply supporting them and passing on my knowledge."
Martin Klötzer, Group Leader Mechanical System Design, with RAPA since 2015
"I would recommend anyone to gain experience abroad, it was a really great time!"
Martin already had a clear goal in mind when he joined RAPA in 2015 as a developer in the hydraulics series development department: "I talked early on about wanting to go abroad with RAPA and was always supported." This wish became reality in 2020 when, after intensive preparation, he began his adventure at the subsidiary RAPA LP in Auburn, Alabama. "The opportunity to go abroad with RAPA was a great opportunity for me - both professionally and personally." The first few weeks in the USA were challenging: a new culture, a different way of working and many unfamiliar processes. But thanks to the local team, he quickly felt integrated and received the necessary support in every situation. During his time in the USA, he worked in various areas of pre-development and gained valuable experience in the development of new technologies. In addition to his technical work, his responsibility in agile project management also grew. In 2020, he took on the role of agile coach and helped to establish new methods and structures. At the same time, he wanted to deepen his knowledge further and began his industrial doctorate in cooperation with TU Dresden in 2022. With a wealth of experience, Martin returned to Germany in 2024 and has been using his expertise to drive innovation ever since. He has been working as a group leader in series development since 2025 and brings his many years of experience from pre-development, agile project management and his time in the USA to all areas.
Josef Ernstberger, Hardware Development Engineer, with RAPA since 2017
"If you keep at it, ask questions and don't give up, you will always find a solution."
Josef started his career at RAPA in 2017 with a dual course of study in automotive technology with training as a mechatronics technician. He quickly realized how much he gained from the combination of theory and practice: "The practical phases in particular helped me progress incredibly." This gave him a detailed insight into various development departments and RAPA's operational business. He quickly developed an enthusiasm for electronic systems and the associated electrical engineering. "It fascinates me how deep you can go into an electrical and electronic system. The exchange with colleagues and their knowledge makes it incredibly exciting." With the aim of expanding his knowledge in this area, Josef began his Master's degree in electrical engineering in 2022 and successfully completed it in 2024. In his master's thesis, he focused on the simulation of suitable circuit diagram and layout measures of a filter board to optimize the EMC behavior of the motor-pump unit and found a deeper fascination in it, which led him to enter electrical hardware development in 2024. This is where he learned to solve complex problems with creativity and teamwork: "Be curious and try things out - if you're enthusiastic, there are countless opportunities here."
Philipp Höllein, specialist in media-separated valve technology, with RAPA since 2015
"The variety of my tasks inspires me anew every day"
After studying mechanical engineering with a focus on medical technology, Philipp started working in development in 2015 and immediately got involved in an exciting project dealing with dialysis valves. "It was the perfect combination of my experience and new challenges." Even back then, what he particularly appreciated at RAPA was the opportunity to work independently and contribute his own ideas. This did not change in 2019, when he was given the opportunity to play an even more specialized role in the development and creation process of RAPA's innovations in medical technology with the founding of RAPA Healthcare GmbH & Co. If you show initiative, you not only get support, but also the freedom to develop new solutions." As he took on more and more responsibility, he dedicated himself to an increasingly diverse range of tasks, designing innovative concepts and evaluating them. "Thinking in terms of solutions is crucial for us. If someone says, 'That won't work', I ask, 'What would have to happen for it to work? This guiding principle has crystallized into a central motto for the developer and helps him to have a solution ready for every problem. With his extensive knowledge, he is an expert in the field of media-separated valve technology and actively shapes the development of innovative technologies. In addition, his further training as an agile coach in 2023 enables him to optimally transfer his knowledge and expertise to all areas of the company, even beyond the boundaries of RAPA Healthcare.
Lisa Karnitzschky, Shift and Quality Manager, with RAPA since 2016
"I feel comfortable in my hall and really enjoy going to work!"
When Lisa started at RAPA in January 2016 through a temporary employment agency, she had no idea that she would not only find a new job here, but also an environment in which she could develop and take on responsibility. The structure of the work, the cooperation with the team and the technical processes particularly impressed her from the outset. Her commitment and reliability did not go unnoticed and so RAPA offered her a direct job as a production employee after just one and a half years. As her experience grew, new opportunities constantly arose for Lisa, which she accepted with motivation and took on the role of shift and quality manager in 2019. For Lisa, this not only meant more responsibility, but also a new challenge, which she mastered with the support of her superiors and her team. In 2023, RAPA suggested that she start further training to become a machine and plant operator. "Learning after work and going to school at the same time - it wasn't easy. But I really wanted to do it and I'm proud that I went through with it." She was helped by financial support from RAPA, flexible shift schedules and the strong support of her colleagues, enabling her to successfully complete her training in 2024. The newly acquired knowledge and her practical experience now enable her to carry out her tasks in an even more efficient and structured way. In addition to operating and monitoring machines, her day-to-day work also includes quality assurance, organizing processes and being responsible for test equipment. She particularly appreciates the variety in her area of responsibility: "Every day brings new challenges, it never gets boring." Her career makes her a real role model for many colleagues and shows that commitment and perseverance pay off. "I never thought I would get this far. But if you stick at it and get stuck in, you can do something!"
Tino Fuhrmann, hall manager, with RAPA since 2014
"If you stop improving, at some point you're no longer good enough."
These words were and still are motivation for Tino Fuhrmann. In line with his motto, he set himself the goal of becoming an "Industrial Master Craftsman in Metal" in April 2016, having started his career at RAPA two years earlier as a machine and plant operator. Despite the increasingly demanding tasks, the new role as shift and quality manager and evening classes three times a week, he never gave up. The strong support of his family kept him on course. RAPA was also interested in the professional development of the budding industrial foreman. The "great cooperation with colleagues", the team spirit with his hall manager at the time and the financial support from the company only motivated him further. This support never waned and in 2018 the time had come: Tino can now proudly bear the title of "Industrial Master Craftsman in Metal". With all his newly acquired skills and the constant desire to improve, he was promoted to assembly manager shortly afterwards. Tino has now been a driving force as hall manager since 2025 and lives by this motto every day. Close communication with his team is particularly important to him: "You shouldn't be afraid to ask questions or challenge each other - that way we can all learn from each other and get better."
Jörg Bauer, Head of Operations, with RAPA since 2014
"Good processes don't just happen on their own - they need structure, clarity and the courage to question things."
When Jörg joined RAPA as a development engineer in 2014, he knew: "I want to design, improve structures and make processes more efficient." He always succeeded in doing this, and in 2020 he initially took over the project management of the "engine pump unit" electronics project for Porsche and quickly proved that he not only had technical expertise, but also a flair for leadership. With his constant endeavor to plan ahead and with foresight in order to increase efficiency in future-oriented project management, he became Head of Project Management at RAPA in 2021. With this flair for complex workflows and his clear ideas about efficient processes, he took on the role of Head of Operations in 2024. Since then, he has been responsible for the management and operational control of RAPA's seven assembly halls. His focus: efficiency, quality and optimal use of resources: "Production is a crucial component because this is where the finished product is created. I feel responsible for ensuring that we deliver the highest quality to our customers." With his passion for optimization, he ensures that processes run smoothly, resources are used in the best possible way and production is constantly improved. His goal: strong, efficient production - for a perfect end product.
