About me
I am Tobias Breitbach, an engineer with workshop hands.
I studied mechanical engineering, earned a doctorate in production engineering, and spent years at the workbench myself. Today I bring new technologies to where they have to prove themselves: into the plant and into series.
Dr.-Ing. · Mechanical engineering
Why I do this
Good ideas deserve to reach the shop floor.
I keep questioning until it is clear what does not work, or it is out.
I have often seen a technology shine in the lab. Then it stalls at the step into the plant. Not because of the idea, but because of interfaces, basic data and manufacturing.
That is where I like to work. Between development, test rig, manufacturing and plant. Where someone has to speak both languages: that of research and that of the shop floor.
One simple question drives me: does it really work, at volume, in continuous operation, at the customer? If not, I want to know early. So do you.
Where I come from
Theory and practice: I learned both.
No CV to memorise. Only what counts for your project.
01
Degree & doctorate
Mechanical engineering degree, doctorate in production engineering. The foundation for processes, plants and manufacturing.
02
Industry, research, start-ups
I know all three worlds from the inside. That is why I translate between them instead of playing them off against each other.
03
Industrialisation & production systems
From the test rig through design for manufacturing to the plant. This is my focus.
04
International work
International project delivery, including support of commissioning in the USA, on site for the decisive steps.
05
Workshop experience
Years of hands-on trade experience. I know how an assembly feels when the design does not fit.
06
Directly with me
You work directly with me. Where a project needs more hands, I bring in additional specialists.
How I work
Thorough, direct, and where it counts.
Five principles I apply to every project, whether it is a design review, a test rig or a hall plan.
- First
I read myself into your data
Before I recommend anything, I know your documents, measurements and plans. Opinions without data do not help you.
- Clarity
I ask until it is clear
I question assumptions until it is clear what holds and what does not. Even when the answer is uncomfortable.
- Transitions
I check the interfaces
Process, plant, manufacturing, suppliers: the expensive mistakes sit in between. That is where I look hardest.
- On site
I am there when it counts
Remotely over the whole term, on site for the decisive steps, through to acceptance tests at the manufacturer.
- Traceable
I document decisions
What we decided and why is written down. Your team, your EPC or your investor can build on it.
What I stand for
Three values, and how you will notice I live them.
01
Plain talk, not slides
You notice it because I say early what does not work. And because you get a prioritised list, not a slide deck.
02
The same language as the shop floor
You notice it because I talk to your fitter the same way as to your managing director. Theory meets practice, and both have to fit.
03
Full attention
You notice it because I typically run three projects in parallel. Few on purpose, so each gets my full attention.
What I do not do
Explosion-protection assessments (ATEX) belong to specialist experts. I bring them in instead of pretending it is mine. And I do not replace an EPC.
What I do: review the critical interfaces between process, plant and manufacturing so that your EPC and your experts can work cleanly.
Personal
A word from me.
If you have read this far, something is probably coming up for you: a first plant, a series, a new hall. Perhaps time is short.
Then let us talk briefly. No presentation, no sales pitch. You describe the situation, and I ask the questions your bottleneck raises. Afterwards you know whether I can help, and if I cannot, I will tell you.
Tobias Breitbach
Dr.-Ing., REAC Energy
Do I work directly with you?
Yes. From the start you talk to the engineer who also does the work. Where a project needs more hands, I bring in additional specialists.
How quickly can you start?
For smaller first packages, often the next day: read in, think through, prepare the site visit. We plan larger projects together.
Do you also work abroad?
Yes, for example in the USA: remotely over the whole term, on site for the decisive commissioning steps and acceptance tests at the manufacturer.
Let us talk
Are you looking for an engineer who questions and gets stuck in?
For a smaller, clearly defined first package I can often start the next day: read in, think through, prepare the site visit. I review every enquiry personally.