The industrial specialist’s portfolio includes customized system solutions made of carbon fiber and graphite materials for high-temperature applications, as well as graphite electrodes for smelting and ladle furnaces. With this strategic appointment, Graphite Materials is accelerating its scaling in the DACH region, in Europe and the USA.
Matthias Schlesies: “I look forward to working with the team to further advance the globalization and transformation of Graphite Materials. Our first priority is to consistently develop our growth potential in existing and new markets to the full.” In the DACH region, Matthias Schlesies will be supported by new sales channels and partnerships to further expand the sales strategy. In other growth markets in Europe and the US, the company plans to enter with a focus on high-temperature applications, renewable energies, energy storage systems and semiconductors. “In addition to the highest quality standards, a focus on sustainability in the specialty graphite market plays a key role, which Graphite Materials already serves,” says Matthias Schlesies.
“I look forward to working with the team to further advance the globalization and transformation of Graphite Materials. Our top priority is to consistently develop our growth potential in existing and new markets to the full.”
In a challenging market environment, Graphite Materials is rising to the challenges of rising costs for materials, production, logistics and energy. The plan is therefore to move away from pure price competition. Instead, the company’s strengths will be given a greater focus in the future. These include the development of customer-specific system solutions and services, the distinguishing features of which are to be highlighted more clearly than before through sales, networks, conferences, trade fairs and marketing. Based on the expertise and enthusiasm of all employees in the company, Matthias Schlesies wants to significantly increase the efficiency of the upcoming measures through digitization and automation. “Our already active and soon to be expanded excellence team optimizes our position to successfully advance in the domestic and international market,” says Matthias Schlesies. “Graphite Materials is already known industry-wide for the necessary committed innovative spirit.”
Matthias Schlesies has more than 30 years of professional experience in sales, marketing and internationalization. He laid the foundation for his career with an apprenticeship as a toolmaker, followed by a degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on automotive engineering. He gained extensive expertise in the automotive supply industry, including at Behr and Hella, where he rose to the position of sales manager. He then held positions as Managing Director of Technology and Sales at Centroplast Engineering Plastics and as Head of Global Sales, Product Management and Marketing at LEONI AG. Matthias Schlesies also gained valuable expertise in international projects with OEMs such as General Motors, VW and Mercedes Benz, as well as with medium-sized companies, for which he developed and implemented future strategies.
