The Team

CEO

Ralph Mennicke

Dr. Ralph Mennicke brings over 17 years of experience to the forefront of business transformation, technology, metrology, and sensors. With a Ph.D. in Physics and an Executive MBA, his leadership has spanned roles from CEO to board and management positions, emphasizing transformation and business growth. Serving as the CEO of coatmaster, and a member of its Advisory Board since 2020, he is committed to ensuring sustainable growth and the continuous delivery of high-performance products tailored to meet customer needs.

Co-founder, President of the Board of Directors, Sales Director “Batteries”

Andor Bariska

Andor Bariska co-founded coatmaster AG in 2011. As a graduate in electrical engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Rapperswil (Switzerland) and a mathematician with summa cum laude from the ETH Zurich, he led software and R&D projects for over twenty years and lectured mathematics for engineers for ten years at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, before founding coatmaster. At coatmaster, he is on the executive board and president of the board of directors. He is responsible for sales and key accounts in the battery sector.

Co-founder, Member of the Board of Directors, Sales Director “Industry”

Prof. Dr. Nils A. Reinke

Nils Reinke, one of the two co-founders of coatmaster AG in 2011, boasts an impressive 20-year professional history in the field of Applied Optics. His academic journey led him to the Gerhard-Mecator-University in Duisburg, where he earned his diploma, and subsequently to the prestigious University of Augsburg, where he completed his Ph.D. in Physics with distinction.
Until the end of September 2018, Nils served as a professor at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). There, he headed the optoelectronic research laboratory group, an international team of scientists and engineers. During this period, he also directed numerous R&D projects in the domain of industrial material and surface testing, including collaborations with DAX30 companies and other major European corporations.
In his professional career, Nils has stood out for his leadership qualities and innovative spirit. Currently, he is on the executive board of directors. He is responsible for sales and key accounts in the powder sector. Outside of his professional commitments, Nils dedicates himself as a non-executive director in a non-profit organization based in Winterthur. He’s a member of the Elite Network Bayern-Alumni and, as the author of over 100 publications and patents, has made significant contributions to science and research. His remarkable achievements as both a scientist and entrepreneur have earned him numerous awards and accolades.

Head of Operations, Member of the Extended Management Team

Kai Altenburg

He was trained in the renowned management school Swissmem to become a Production Manager with Advanced Federal Diploma of Professional Education and Training. In addition to extensive knowledge in wet coating applications, he has many years of experience in the powder coating sector. He is a proven expert in quality management and occupational health and safety. As a Qualicoat member he is very familiar with the quality requirements of the industry.

Head of Research & Development, Member of the Extended Management Team

Oliver Lengweiler

Oliver Lengweiler holds a rich background in mechanical engineering, with over a decade of experience in precision engineering and design. At coatmaster AG, Oliver has spearheaded the development of innovative non-contact coating thickness measurement technologies. His expertise and leadership have been pivotal in advancing coatmaster’s product capabilities, ensuring the delivery of high-quality solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients.

Head of Integrations & Support, Member of the Extended Management Team

Thomas Baumgartner