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Made in Germany.
The SME success model.

Industrial SMEs

SMEs are the most important drivers of innovation and technology in Germany. Many global market leaders and hidden champions have found their home here. A key factor in their success is a specific attitude: human relations and values count, the character of steadfastness and longevity meets ambitious goals and a strong will.

Industries with which we feel connected: mechanical engineering, plant engineering, electrical engineering, automation, defence industry, metal processing, plastics processing, wood industry, textile industry, glass industry.

“As the son of a company founder, the company was always present in my home. From an early age, I experienced a close emotional connection between the company and my family. This closeness has given me a profound understanding of the specific concerns of medium-sized family businesses, and I’ve learnt to deal with them constructively. These experiences are particularly valuable when it comes to my work as a consultant.”

— Jörg Will

World market leader, family business, founder. Simply medium-sized.

Because of our own history, we have a special affinity with SMEs. We’re just as familiar with niche technology leaders as we are with companies whose presence is global. We know that running an SME is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. It’s about having the right personality, and sometimes more than just the ability to adapt. SMEs are often family-owned, just like ifp itself. With our own experience of skilfully organised business succession, advising owners on management changes and transitioning to a new generation is truly a matter of personal concern to us.

“Taking the time to get to get to know a company and its people, to gather impressions, to build relationships and to understand its specific management philosophy. The detailed and trusting discussions with our candidates, in which we focus on the personal fit. For me, all of this is what excellent recruitment consultancy is about – and it’s what motivates me every day.”

— Joachim Heinemeyer

Management

Joachim Heinemeyer

Partner Degree in Business Administration
Holding an MBA from the Helmut-Schmidt-University in Hamburg he was trained and educated at the General Staff College of the German Armed Forces. He can draw on many years of experience with demanding national and international leadership positions. As General Staff Officer he was responsible for Recruiting and HR-Strategy of the German Armed Forces and gave advice to highest military and political levels. In 2021 he became Partner at ifp and forms the leadership team for Industrial Companies together with Jörg Will. +49 (0) 221 / 20 50 6-197

Jörg Will

Partner Banker, Degree in Business Administration
Jörg Will joined our company in 1992 after graduating from the University of Passau. He acquired his father’s share in the company and became the Managing Director of ifp in 1996. His father is the company’s founder, Horst Will. For many years his main focus has been on the appointment of managerial and board member positions in medium-sized industrial companies. He has also gained extensive experience in consulting entrepreneurs and owner families, also in guiding generation change, and consulting the insurance industry. +49 (0) 221 / 20 50 6-71

Team

Regina Bolz

Executive Consultant Degree in Psychology, Business Mediator
Regina Bolz is an experienced consultant with an excellent network and profound expertise in aptitude diagnostics. For more than 25 years, she has held management positions in medium-sized industrial companies, especially in family-owned businesses, at the executive and board level. Personally, she has a great passion for art and culture. Which is why it’s only natural that she’s also our specialist for positions in the cultural sphere such as directors of theatres and museums. +49 (0) 221 / 20 50 6-150

Laura Lorscheidt

Consultant Degree in Psychology (M. Sc.)
While studying economics at the University of Cologne, Laura Lorscheidt discovered her interest in behavioural economics and diagnostics, which she subsequently deepened with a master\'s degree in business psychology with a focus on work and organizational psychology. With many years of experience in retail, she developed a sound understanding of the dynamics of a customer-oriented environment as well as macroeconomic market contexts. Since her graduation, she has been a consultant for the industrial SME sector team. +49 (0) 221 / 20 50 6-62