“Technology inspires me—especially when it creates value in the hands of passionate people.” 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.