Marcus Will

Global Head of Advanced Welding Solutions (KUKA AWS) | Friction Welding | Industrial Automation | Strategy & P&L Leadership

Greater Munich Metropolitan Area

About

Driving global growth and technical innovation in industrial friction welding — across automotive, aerospace, and defense. As Global Head of KUKA AWS (Advanced Welding Solutions), I lead our international business with full responsibility for strategy, sales, operations, and product development. Our portfolio includes advanced friction welding technologies, machines, and customized solutions for customers across automotive, aerospace, and general industry. With our second brand AWS Thompson based in Halesowen (UK), I manage a global team focused on innovation, engineering excellence, and customer success — from concept to commissioning. Key areas of focus: • Global business leadership (P&L responsibility) • Sales and customer relations across Europe, Americas, and Asia • Product strategy & technology roadmap for friction welding • Cross-site management (Germany, UK & CN) • Leading multicultural teams and complex industrial projects What drives me: Delivering measurable customer value through high-performance welding systems — backed by a culture of quality, precision, and trust.

Experience

  • Global Head of Advanced Welding Solutions at KUKA
    Aug 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 11 mos

    > Leading the global business unit "Advanced Welding Solutions" at KUKA, with full P&L responsibility and strategic oversight across two international development and production locations: Augsburg (Germany) and Halesowen (UK, under the AWS Thompson brand). I manage a team of approx. 140 employees, covering engineering, sales, R&D, operations, and service. Our core focus is delivering cutting-edge friction welding technology and turnkey systems for key industries such as automotive, aerospace, nuclear and defence. I believe in clear accountability, cross-cultural trust, and building teams that take ownership from concept to commissioning. Key achievements and responsibilities: • Secured the largest friction stir welding (FSW) project in KUKA history: a €15M program with Honda, involving 23 robotic FSW systems • Developed and implemented a new global strategy for the AWS business • Restructured and aligned the product portfolio to better serve evolving market needs • Successfully launched the AWS business in China, opening a key growth market • Strengthened collaboration across our two main locations and unified our market approach My role blends strategic leadership, global business development, and product innovation — all aimed at positioning KUKA AWS as a leading provider of advanced industrial welding systems worldwide.

  • pro-beam Group (5 yrs 7 mos)
    • Head Of Research And Development
      Jan 2022 - Aug 2023 · 1 yr 8 mos

    • Head Of Business Development
      Mar 2020 - Aug 2023 · 3 yrs 6 mos

    • Business Development Manager
      Feb 2018 - Mar 2020 · 2 yrs 2 mos

      technology: electron beam welding electron beam perforating Industries: Big Science Aerospace Aviation Nuclear engineering Automotive ...and many more

  • Development Engineer at Hilti Group
    Jan 2014 - Jan 2018 · 4 yrs 1 mo

  • euro engineering AG powered by Modis (6 yrs 11 mos)
    • Senior Account Manager
      Aug 2013 - Nov 2013 · 4 mos

    • Site Manager
      Apr 2012 - Jul 2013 · 1 yr 4 mos

    • Account-Manager
      Jan 2007 - Mar 2012 · 5 yrs 3 mos

  • ifm group of companies (3 yrs 3 mos)
    • Project Manager
      Jan 2005 - Dec 2006 · 2 yrs

      ifm ecomatic

    • Development Ingenieur
      Oct 2003 - Dec 2004 · 1 yr 3 mos

      ifm electronic