Sustainable Success Isn’t a Sprint – It’s a Marathon
With this conviction, Olaf Detlef begins his new role at KENDRION Industrial Brakes. A native of Germany, Detlef brings fresh energy and a clear strategic focus: “I’m excited to shape the future of industrial drive solutions together with a strong team—globally, technology-driven, and always close to our customers.”
Detlef believes the current wave of technological change presents significant opportunities—particularly for high-tech companies like KENDRION Industrial Brakes and KENDRION Actuators and Controls that are shaped by a mid-sized business culture. For him, people are always at the center: customers, colleagues, and partners alike. “Success emerges from collaboration,” says Olaf Detlef, “through clear goals, trust, and the recognition that change is a natural part of progress.”
Bringing Nearly 20 Years of Global Leadership Experience
Olaf Detlef has almost two decades of international leadership experience. In both China and the United States, he established subsidiaries for INTORQ GmbH—always with a strong sense for market dynamics, cultural nuances, and structural development. He now brings this experience to his role at Industrial Brakes, where he aims to drive strategic growth with a focus on industrial applications, target emerging markets, and lead with a style that combines clarity, trust, and consistency.
International Experience, Clear Leadership Style
In 2006, Detlef relocated to Shanghai, where he initially headed INTORQ’s Liaison Office before founding and managing INTORQ (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. In this fast-paced and dynamic environment, he learned firsthand what it means to translate culture into corporate practice. From 2014 to 2019, he established INTORQ US Inc. Later, as President of Kendrion Inc. in Atlanta (2020–2025), he also oversaw the integration of INTORQ into the Kendrion Group—streamlining not only the product portfolio but also structures and processes.
Strategic Realignment at Kendrion – A Sharp Focus on Industrial Applications
Following the divestment of its Automotive business in October 2024, Kendrion has redefined its strategic direction. Since then, the Industrial Brakes division has been fully focused on core industrial markets—including applications in robotics, intralogistics, mechanical engineering, wind energy, medical technology, and lifting equipment. For existing customers, this shift primarily means continuity: in daily operations, contact partners, and product and service quality. At the same time, it opens new opportunities for technical depth, customer-driven development, and tailored solutions.
“Our customers aren’t looking for individual components. They’re looking for answers to complex technical challenges,” emphasizes Detlef.
“That’s exactly where we come in—with a comprehensive portfolio, decades of application experience, and deep technical expertise.”
A Vision Built on Substance – Olaf Detlef’s Roadmap
Detlef’s goal: to drive the international growth of KENDRION Industrial Brakes—not through empty promises, but by building solid structures, reliable processes, and a team that embraces accountability. The strategic foundation is already in place: a focus on long-term partnerships, customized solutions, deep standardization, and a keen eye for new markets and niche applications. Detlef’s leadership approach is based on trust and aims to provide orientation—not all the answers.
“Leadership, to me, isn’t a sprint to quick wins—it’s a marathon,” says Olaf Detlef, an ultramarathon runner himself.
“When you run more than 300 kilometers non-stop, you learn how to handle crises, stay mentally strong, and set consistent priorities. That mindset shapes the way I lead: staying calm, keeping focus, and working through tough phases—together.”
