On January 1, 2024, Michael Baitinger officially became the CEO and President of Dürr Paintshop Systems Engineering (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Months later, the meeting rooms nearby are filled with discussion and laughter, blending more Chinese and English. Carrying a translator while persistently learning Mandarin, this CEO is writing a new chapter in China through the most direct and effective way: listening.
Michael Baitinger's journey at Dürr began in 1994. Fresh out of university, he started as a freelancer at the technology-driven company. Over the following years, he underwent a profound transformation—from a technical specialist to a leader.
His first major shift was moving from conveyor technology to layout planning. "When I first led a team on a layout design," he recalls, a spark still visible in his eyes, "the satisfaction of igniting collective wisdom and seeing ideas take shape far surpassed any individual achievement." That experience taught him that true leadership is not about giving orders but about kindling a shared passion within a team.
He was promoted to Senior Manager of Mechanical Engineering for Booths and Ovens in 2008, where he began learning how to orchestrate complex projects. This transition from doer to manager helped him understand the true meaning of empowering a team. Seven years later, his assignment to Mexico taught him how to build consensus and unite teams within a multicultural environment. When he returned to Germany in 2018 as Operational Director of the Service division, his leadership philosophy focused on "service"—addressing customer needs directly and serving both business goals and team growth.
From Germany to Mexico and back to Europe, each chapter added a new layer to his perspective. "When you focus on creating value rather than chasing a title, greater responsibility naturally follows," he concludes.
Before officially stepping into his role, Michael chose a Chinese name that reflects his approach: “霆革” (Tíng Gé), meaning “transformative as thunder”. It captures his vision for the dynamic Chinese market. “The pace of change here is astounding,” he observes. “To maintain our leading edge, we must stay agile and dare to break new ground.”
Regarding his appointment as CEO of Dürr China, Michael Baitinger describes it as a “wonderful surprise.” Faced with this new mission, he displays both calm and confidence: “I am aware of the responsibility on my shoulders, yet I have full faith in the strength of our team.”
Baitinger considers listening his most vital leadership tool—and puts it into daily practice. Internally, he seeks to understand each colleague’s strengths and motivations, aiming to deploy talent where it shines brightest. Externally, he immerses himself in client conversations to accurately sense market shifts. Within the company, he launched the “Talk to the CEO,” a forum where every employee can speak openly across hierarchies and engage directly with top leadership.
In his daily work, he consistently maintains an open and honest approach, listening to employees’ genuine thoughts and suggestions in a relaxed atmosphere. In the eyes of colleagues, his approachability comes not from his title, but from attentive listening: he communicates expectations clearly, yet also skillfully draws out ideas and concerns in conversation. This builds alignment and provides a strong foundation for key decisions.
“Innovation is in our DNA,” Michael Baitinger said while introducing the paint shop of the future during the 2024 Open House in Shanghai. A leader who has always maintained a curiosity about technology, he consistently integrates innovation into management—from championing the use of Dürr’s self-developed AI system to personally learning to operate drones.
“Staying curious is the wellspring of innovation,” he remarked, holding a drone controller. “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. It’s through daring to try that breakthroughs happen.”
While German R&D focuses on flexibility, reliability, and long-term performance, the team in China emphasizes localization and speed. Facing the rapid iteration demands of Chinese automakers, the Shanghai team has compressed traditional production-line adjustment cycles from months to mere weeks. Simultaneously, the Shanghai R&D Center drives the localized development of core technologies, ensuring global innovations swiftly adapt to the Chinese market.
From this new starting point, Michael Baitinger has embodied the “Local For Global” vision with a clear, actionable localization strategy. This strategy is built on agile, customer-centric services that demonstrate a deep understanding of the unique demands of the Chinese market. At its core is locally-rooted R&D and innovation, which blends global technology with local insight to forge truly competitive solutions.
By deepening its presence in China, Dürr China not only strengthens its local service capabilities but also systematically integrates proven technologies and experiences into its global network. It provides continuous support to Chinese automakers as they expand overseas.
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