Ulrich Reifenhauser (1956 – ) grew up as one of five children in down-to-earth circumstances in an entrepreneurial household. At the age of 16, he went to work in the extruder manufacturing department of his father’s company. Today, as CSO, he leads the Reifenhauser family business in the third generation alongside his brother Bernd (CEO). Thanks to his passion for people, sales, and plastics, Reifenhauser has become a key personality in the industry.

After studying economics at the University of Cologne, Reifenhauser started his career in 1983, initially at Krupp Industrietechnik as a divisional controller in the hydraulic hammers division. In 1986, his father brought him into the family business as head of controlling, followed by his position as head of the finance department and head of human resources. In 1993, Reifenhӓuser became managing director in the commercial area, entering the sales field.

As a representative of his family’s enterprise, Reifenhauser has built an impressive network, especially in plastics and mechanical engineering. As Chairman of the Plastics and Rubber Machinery Association in the VDMA and President of the K Trade Fair in Dusseldorf, he has shaped and driven the industry for many years. With his induction into the Plastics Hall of Fame, he follows his father, Hans Reifenhauser, who was awarded this honor posthumously in 2014.