The Client
A family-run mechanical engineering company with around 2,000 employees and an international presence was facing an operational challenge: the COO position was vacant, while the company was planning a comprehensive production optimization and digitization of its manufacturing processes. There was a lack of operational leadership, which jeopardized the implementation of strategic projects. To ensure its ability to act and drive the transformation forward, the company opted for a combined solution of interim management and executive search.
The Challenge
The vacancy of the COO led to delays in important projects such as lean implementation, supply chain optimization, and the introduction of digital manufacturing processes. At the same time, the market for experienced COOs in mechanical engineering was highly competitive. A purely traditional recruitment process via executive search would have taken several months—time that the company did not have. The challenge was to establish operational stability in the short term while simultaneously finding a suitable long-term COO who could support the transformation in the long run.
The Solution
The solution: An experienced interim COO immediately took over operational responsibility, stabilized production processes, and managed critical projects such as the introduction of lean methods and supply chain optimization. At the same time, a customized executive search process was launched, tailored to the specific requirements of mechanical engineering and the company's digitalization agenda. Close coordination between the interim manager, executive search consultants, and management enabled the requirements to be specified and candidates to be evaluated in a targeted manner. This not only bridged the vacancy, but also strategically strengthened operations in the long term.
The Results
Within eight weeks, the interim COO was fully operational. Production bottlenecks were eliminated, delivery performance improved, and the first lean projects were successfully implemented. After six months, the new COO joined the company from the executive search process—with a clear mandate for digitalization and efficiency improvement. The combination of interim management and executive search not only ensured continuity but also created measurable added value: reduction of throughput times, improvement of delivery reliability, and a seamless handover without loss of knowledge. The company was able to continue its growth strategy as planned and sustainably expand its operational excellence.
Looking for experienced interim leaders to drive transformation and ensure business success? Contact Dr. Thorsten Dörr, Managing Partner at Boyden Interim Management, to explore tailored solutions for your organization.
