Dieter Altenbach worked for Müller Martini for 28 years. At 55, he took on a new professional challenge, becoming Chief Technology Officer at Hunkeler AG after the merger between Müller Martini and Hunkeler. Read this blog post to learn what moved the trained electronic engineer to switch positions, what new challenges he faces, and what the two world market leaders in the graphic industry have in common and what sets them apart.
As a child, I never really had a dream job. A classmate pointed out how cool electronic engineering was as a career. And so I didn’t even look for any alternatives, instead following district school up with a four-year apprenticeship as an electronic engineer at the EAO in Olten, market leader in many areas for human-machine interface products. Even today, one thing is clear to me: My classmate was 100 percent right. Being an electronic engineer is still my dream job today, and I’d choose it again and again.
“Do it if you want to get ahead!”
After successfully completing my apprenticeship, I completed a three-year full-time degree as a software engineer at then HTL and today FHNW Campus Brugg-Windisch. I had two goals: First, I wanted to specialize in technical software, and second, I wanted to enter mechanical engineering. Later, I completed a postgraduate program in business administration to build on my knowledge.
My father, who was a technician and whose professional footsteps I still follow in today, always encouraged me to keep learning. “Do it if you want to get ahead!” he used to say. Another motivator for me was that I completed my HTL degree with a good friend. With him, I accepted my first job as a software developer at Daetwyler in Bleienbach after graduating. This was my first contact with the graphic industry. After all, Daetwyler was specialized in processing gravure cylinders with lasers, which was much more efficient than processing using a diamond stylus.
First touchscreen control
In 1996, I switched to Müller Martini after submitting a speculative application. As I lived in the neighboring town of Oftringen back then, the Zofingen-based family business was a household name for me. I began at Müller Martini as a software developer for saddle stitching and developed the first Windows control for the AMRYS presetting system for the Prima/Bravo models. After that, I programmed the first touchscreen control at Müller Martini for the Optima saddle stitcher. This foundation is still used today in the successor model Primera and in the Müller Martini Automation Platform.
Later, I became project manager, team lead, and head of the control system department. Over the years, I appreciated the outstanding working climate at Müller Martini. The company’s trademark is the respectful atmosphere, both among colleagues and management. On the one hand, I really liked that I could grow and contribute my own ideas, and on the other hand, that I was always facing new challenges. During the softcover transfer from Felben to Zofingen, for instance, I also came into contact with the world of perfect binders.
My job at Müller Martini also allowed me a good work-life balance. Of course, the job was very important to me, but I always had enough time for my family, for hobbies (I cycle and play tennis), and for village politics (I was a councilman in Vordemwald, where I lived, from 2017 to 2024).
An extremely diverse and varied range of tasks
When I talk about Müller Martini in the past, there’s a simple explanation for that. Last September, after the merger with Müller Martini, I transferred to Hunkeler AG. And not because I didn’t want to stay in Zofingen, but because my boss Roland Kost asked me whether I wanted to take on the role of Chief Technology Officer in Wikon. And so today I am CTO at Hunkeler, manage around 50 employees (including seven team leads), and am a member of the four-person executive management.
You may ask yourself what a Chief Technology Officer does all day long. First of all, no day is like any other. Second, my range of tasks is super diverse and varied. It spans from software, to mechanics, electrical hardware, and the development workshop (for tests and trials), all the way to technical documentation. I’m responsible for the methods, infrastructure, technology, and recruitment. As part of executive management, I’m the link between management and the technical development department and I do my part to ensure our strategic goals are met.
Hunkeler and Müller Martini shape workplaces
For me, this career leap is not only a major challenge, but also a huge opportunity. It was never my goal to just lean back and wait for retirement. That’s why taking this new job was an outstanding opportunity to give my career a boost again at 55.
When it comes to graphic systems, I’ve always been impressed by the process itself. For example, the ultra-modern Smart Factory solutions: PDF in, book out – it’s quite fascinating. I also like that Hunkeler and Müller Martini shape workspaces for customers. With our ultra-modern and attractive operating concepts, we do our part in getting young, computer-savvy people interested in our industry. This is an important aspect considering the skilled labor shortage.
Similarities and differences
Of course, I’m still regularly in touch with my previous coworkers at Müller Martini, especially at a technical level. As part of Group Engineering, we hold periodic meetings between Hunkeler and the specialists at both Müller Martini plants in Zofingen and Rahden to continue optimizing synergies between the company sites. And there are barely any Smart Factory plant units that don’t contain systems from Hunkeler and Müller Martini.
Another question I’m confronted with now and again is how similar the cultures are at the two companies. Because they’re both family businesses, of course they have a lot in common. But I quickly noticed certain differences too. Hunkeler is significantly smaller and things tend to move faster. What I mean: The paths at Hunkeler are even shorter than at Müller Martini.
We’re pursuing the same goal
One thing’s for sure: The two companies can benefit from each other greatly, even more so since the merger. We are in regular discussions and can combine our extensive expertise on both sides. A game-changer for us in engineering. And we all have the same goal: to offer our global customers the most modern and efficient solutions for finishing print products.
Yours,
Dieter Altenbach
Chief Technology Officer Hunkeler AG