Tilman Bender

Explore a selection of executive search projects we have successfully completed: https://thbender.com/en/mediated-positions/

Wir unterstützten den VC-Arm eines deutschen Industriekonzerns beim Aufbau der US-Tochter eines Cleantech-Unternehmens. Innerhalb von 11 Monaten stellten wir ein Führungsteam und Sales-Organisation auf, das Marktakzeptanz und Finanzierung sicherte. Ergebnis: starkes Wachstum, Leadership Award von Frost & Sullivan und Verkauf an einen US-Wettbewerber zu einem 10-fachen Return

Supported the VC arm of a German industrial group in building the U.S. subsidiary of a cleantech company. Within 11 months we recruited a leadership and sales team that secured market acceptance and project financing. Results: rapid growth, a Frost & Sullivan Leadership Award, and an acquisition by a U.S. competitor at a 10x return.

Helped a European energy company turn around its underperforming U.S. subsidiary. Replaced the initial team with a lift-out from a competitor, bringing in a proven group with prenegotiated projects. Result: a sales pipeline of over $150M generated within 24 months.

Placed an interim CEO to stabilize and integrate U.S. and Canadian operations for a global building tech company. Unified siloed teams, introduced cross-border reporting standards, and developed a mid-term growth plan. Enabled a smooth leadership transition and set the stage for rapid U.S. expansion through a strengthened sales network and motivated, aligned teams.

Our client is a globally recognized developer and manufacturer of high-performance lubrication solutions, serving a wide range of industries including automotive, metalworking, food processing, and heavy industry. The company is known for its innovative formulations and technical expertise across a broad application range.

This confidential search was initiated to replace the existing CEO, whose performance did not meet strategic expectations. We successfully placed a seasoned executive… Show more

Our client is a globally recognized developer and manufacturer of high-performance lubrication solutions, serving a wide range of industries including automotive, metalworking, food processing, and heavy industry. The company is known for its innovative formulations and technical expertise across a broad application range.

This confidential search was initiated to replace the existing CEO, whose performance did not meet strategic expectations. We successfully placed a seasoned executive with deep North American and international experience, who had previously served as the only non-German member of a European Group Management Committee. In his prior role, he directed and optimized operations across Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, growing sales by 60% to $380M over nine years and building an OEM division from the ground up to $50M in annual revenue. Show less

Executive search to replace the departing CEO of the U.S. subsidiary of a global leader in hydraulic hose and fitting solutions. The new CEO is tasked with driving commercial growth, improving operations, and expanding market presence with the goal of doubling revenue within five years.

Executive search for the successor to the retiring CEO of a specialty chemicals company with U.S. operations. Key markets included personal care, industrial cleaning, metalworking, and water treatment. The selected candidate brought 20 years of industry experience and was initially hired as Vice President before being promoted to CEO six months later.

Supported a German med-tech company in rebuilding its U.S. executive team after relocating to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Recruited a VP of Sales with strong leadership potential, who was promoted to CEO within a year—ensuring continuity and strategic growth in the U.S. market.

Retained by a North American manufacturer of specialized attachments for loader cranes and hydraulic excavators. The company, based in Canada, serves as the regional hub for sales, service, and assembly across the Americas. It is part of a global group with 23 subsidiaries in 13 countries and a portfolio of over 4,000 products, owned by a European private equity firm.

The search was launched to replace a CEO promoted to a senior role in Europe. We placed a seasoned executive from a… Show more

Retained by a North American manufacturer of specialized attachments for loader cranes and hydraulic excavators. The company, based in Canada, serves as the regional hub for sales, service, and assembly across the Americas. It is part of a global group with 23 subsidiaries in 13 countries and a portfolio of over 4,000 products, owned by a European private equity firm.

The search was launched to replace a CEO promoted to a senior role in Europe. We placed a seasoned executive from a direct competitor who had previously quadrupled sales, significantly outperforming our client’s revenue. The new CEO brings strong commercial acumen and deep industry expertise to lead the company’s next growth chapter in the Americas. Show less

Executive search for the successor to the departing General Manager of the U.S. subsidiary of a family-owned Swiss manufacturer specializing in high-performance connectors and electronic solutions. The selected candidate brings 30 years of experience in military and commercial aerospace, with a strong track record in selling interconnection and electronic systems.

Our client is a privately held global market leader—a true “Hidden Champion”—with approximately 3,000 employees and close to $1 billion in annual revenue. Holding an estimated 30% global market share in the printed surfaces segment, the company operates with a strong regional presence, including two manufacturing facilities in the United States. The U.S. subsidiary functions with a high degree of autonomy, covering Manufacturing, Operations, HR, Finance, Design, Sales, Marketing, and Logistics… Show more

Our client is a privately held global market leader—a true “Hidden Champion”—with approximately 3,000 employees and close to $1 billion in annual revenue. Holding an estimated 30% global market share in the printed surfaces segment, the company operates with a strong regional presence, including two manufacturing facilities in the United States. The U.S. subsidiary functions with a high degree of autonomy, covering Manufacturing, Operations, HR, Finance, Design, Sales, Marketing, and Logistics locally.

Following the retirement of the long-term U.S. CEO, we were engaged to find his successor. We placed a senior executive from a direct competitor, where he previously held full P&L responsibility for a $350M division.

Impressed with the outcome, the client entrusted us with a critical follow-up search: hiring the Head of Finance—a position they had unsuccessfully tried to fill for nearly a year through other firms. Both roles were filled in under 100 days. Show less

Completed search for a Chief Digital Officer for a publicly traded specialty lubricants manufacturer with 6,000 employees worldwide. The CDO leads global digital strategy—spanning supply chain, production, customer management, and sales—across 62 companies in over 50 countries. The role is based in the U.S. and central to the company’s global transformation efforts.

Placed an interim project manager at two U.S. sites of a Swiss tech group to implement an Activity-Based Costing system. Addressed pricing inaccuracy and margin gaps by building a full costing framework, custom quote tool, and cost center performance reporting. Enabled strategic pricing, operational visibility, and integration into ERP. Result: a scalable foundation for profitability and forecasting.

Placed an interim COO to lead a full turnaround at a Detroit-based subsidiary of a German machine tool group. Replaced the CEO, restructured sales and service, hired key personnel, and diversified beyond automotive. Added 5 new customers, expanded U.S. sales coverage via agents, and grew service and machine sales by 25% and 20%, respectively—all within 7 months.

Engaged by a global, family-owned medical technology manufacturer headquartered in Germany. The client develops and produces high-quality medical implants and operates a U.S. subsidiary with manufacturing capabilities in California.

The newly created position was designed to reduce reliance on a few key accounts, expand direct sales, and improve internal operations. We successfully placed a German-speaking medical doctor with a strong track record in growing U.S. operations for… Show more

Engaged by a global, family-owned medical technology manufacturer headquartered in Germany. The client develops and produces high-quality medical implants and operates a U.S. subsidiary with manufacturing capabilities in California.

The newly created position was designed to reduce reliance on a few key accounts, expand direct sales, and improve internal operations. We successfully placed a German-speaking medical doctor with a strong track record in growing U.S. operations for international medtech companies. Show less

Recruited senior U.S. executive for European defense tech firm (500+ staff, 99% export rate). Tasked with building U.S. sales structure, engaging top defense contractors, and driving growth in ballistic missile defense and drone detection markets.

Helped a venture-backed U.S. software firm build a core NYC engineering team to develop event-driven middleware for real-time data integration. Identified and recruited three elite system-level developers from a stealth team inside a major bank. Their work contributed to rapid growth, IPO success, and adoption by Fortune 500 clients in finance, logistics, and telecom.

Build the U.S. leadership team for a €2B European firm expanding into distributed energy generation. Recruited key executives incl. CFO, engineering, and sales leadership. The division scaled from $0 to $80M in revenue and 100+ staff. Several hires later went on to lead a fast-growing energy startup, which went public and exceeded $1.5B in North American sales.

Executive search for a Finance Director for a global IT security and compliance company serving Fortune 100 and DAX 30 clients. The role required strong expertise in controlling, FP&A, and US-GAAP, with experience in software or subscription-based business models. The placed candidate collaborates closely with the German HQ on financial reporting, intercompany reconciliation, and international group consolidation.

Engaged by a 2,000-person, family-owned German industrial group. Stabilized its U.S. EV supply plant by deploying an Interim Finance Director, recruiting a Plant Manager, and placing a CFO and Finance Director. Leadership integration restored profitability and retention. The U.S. unit is now highly profitable and building a second facility—replicating the model developed during the engagement. Note: Client had retained a global search firm prior to reassigning the project to THBender.