CLIMAX Portable Machining & Welding Systems, a company in the design and manufacture of portable on-site machining and welding tools, announced it has hired Dr. Johann Rinnhofer as Managing Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa. The move marks CLIMAX’s continued focus on growing its international market capabilities. Rinnhofer joined the CLIMAX office in Düren, Germany, on May 1.
Rinnhofer has more than 20 years of engineering and management expertise. He brings knowledge from a variety of industries across the globe, including mining machinery in Australia, the industrial furnaces industry in Germany, and refractory and research in Austria.
Prior to joining CLIMAX, Rinnhofer was Managing Director of Otto Junker GmbH Industrial Group, a high-grade steel foundry specializing in the design, manufacture and sale of metallurgical and thermal equipment. During his time at Otto Junker, Rinnhofer was responsible for fostering customer relationships and product development; he also played a key role in growing and restructuring the company. Rinnhofer was also Managing Director of Hochtemperatur Engineering GmbH Gruppe in Wiesbaden, Germany, and Voest Alpine Mining & Tunneling Ltd. Pty. in Sydney, Australia.
In his role at CLIMAX, Rinnhofer is responsible for collaborating with executive leadership to develop and execute the company’s European growth strategy. In addition, Rinnhofer is responsible for ensuring CLIMAX continually improves operations, productivity and customer support to meet the unique needs of customers across Europe. The European market represents a strong opportunity for CLIMAX to grow and fundamentally alter the way customers go about increasing efficiency, safety and profitability, according to CLIMAX President and CEO Geoff Gilmore
According to CLIMAX Rinnhofer’s hiring is the latest in a series of strategic maneuvers the company has initiated to grow and better serve its customers throughout the European region. Last year, expanded customer training facilities were unveiled at the company’s European headquarters in Germany. This year, CLIMAX opened its fourth European rental depot in the port city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, to build out its “global but local” vision.