1.  How did you first get into the world of shredding?

I previously worked for several German companies, including Kiefel and Brückner, making thermoforming machinery – essentially producing things like clamshells and single-use cups. It always bugged me that these products ended up as landfill waste, even if they kept food fresher.

In 2008, I saw an ad for a shredding role and thought I’d give it a try. I joined UNTHA America in 2009 as a sales manager, tasked with building a rep network. It wasn’t long before I realized how fascinating shredding is - the nuances, the engineering, and how differently materials behave. It ‘piqued my geek’ as it were, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

2.  What’s one waste material you think deserves more attention in the US and why?

Plastic film. It’s everywhere, almost impossible to recycle, and often excluded from curbside programs because it can cause problems for sorting equipment. My own household trash is made up of nearly half plastic film, despite separating everything else.

Multi-layer films and packaging are especially nasty – technically impressive to make, but brutal to recycle. The concept of ‘shredding MRFs’, pre-shredding material before separation, could be a real breakthrough here.

3.  Which UNTHA machine is your favorite, and why?

While I love the four-shift machines,lately, I would have to say the XR. It’s grown into a true multi-purpose workhorse – rugged, reliable, and with impressively low operating costs. I’ve always leaned toward recycling applications, and the XR delivers across so many streams. My favorite is electronics. One customer told me their first year with the XR was the first in their history with zero shredder-caused downtime. That’s the kind of performance that wins people over!

4.  What’s been a personal highlight of your UNTHA career so far?

The highlights are always the challenging applications where we’ve pushed boundaries and made it work. Seeing the XR exceed expectations at a major reprocessing client was a big moment – the team was amazed by how well it performed compared to what had been used previously.

On the flip side, tackling airbag shredding gave me a few grey hairs, but we stuck it out, toughened up the RS100, and turned a disaster into a success. Those tough projects teach you the most.

5.  What’s one skill or quality that helps you thrive in the UNTHA USA team?

I think I connect well with people. My best customers become true partners, and they know they can count on me, and on UNTHA, as part of their family.

Reliability isn’t just about the machines, it’s about the employees too. I’ve always pushed for excellent service because it’s the easiest way to stand out among competitors. Our customers know we’ll always be there for them.

6.  What’s your go-to way to unwind after a busy workday?

I’d have to say simply getting outside. Walking along the ocean where I live, or doing something physical like throwing heavy iron around at the gym. It clears the head and burns off the stress.

7.  The phone rings, and it’s your dream customer – who is it?

Secure Recycling. The team is creative, innovative, and never afraid to rip something apart and rebuild it better. We’re constantly challenged with “what ifs,” which keeps us on our toes at UNTHA.

Secure Recycling once bought a competitor’s shredder because it was available faster – and lived to regret it! But since then, the team has exclusively invested in UNTHA machines, including an XR mobile unit. It’s been a fun partnership, and exactly the kind of customer that drives improvement.

8.  What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?

“No place is perfect, you’ve got to work out what you can live with.”

That came from a mentor when I was considering leaving a company out of frustration. It made me stop and think, and I ended up staying for eight more years. Later, I also learned another valuable lesson that most problems aren’t fatal, and very few things are worth panicking about. 

9.  What’s something you think will change the shredding or wider waste industry over the next 10 years?

I believe the XR’s slow-speed, high-torque single-shaft technology could replace much of the traditional four-shaft market. It’s heavier, more rugged, easier to maintain, and has far lower operating costs. There will always be places for four-shaft shredders, but the shift toward efficiency and simplicity favors machines like the XR.

10.  And finally, UNTHA operates worldwide — if you could work from another global office for a month, where would you choose and why?

Kuchl, Austria, no question. Salzburg has always been one of my favorite cities, and working at UNTHA HQ would be a fantastic way to see things up close at the source. Plus, the mountains aren’t a bad backdrop for a month away!