Ralf J. Gengenbach
Ralf Jürgen Gengenbach, born in 1960 in the Goldstadt Pforzheim, studied chemical engineering at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology from 1981 to 1987. He began his professional career at BASF in Ludwigshafen, where he was involved with GMP topics early on, starting in 1990. During the same period, he actively participated in the development of drug substance GMP guidelines, including the PIC/S document PI006 (Qualification) and the ICH Q7 guideline. He also contributed to the DIN standards committee for biotechnology, "Process Engineering and Large-Scale Production," as well as to the working group "Validation" driven by DECHEMA. From 1995 onwards, he was responsible for leading the GMP-related specialist department at BASF.
In 1997, he joined DIS Deutscher Industrie Service AG, where he initially led a specialist group and later a branch focused on GMP. Since June 2002, he has been managing partner of gempex GmbH, which employs nearly 50 staff members and advises clients worldwide on GMP and, in this context, cleanroom technology. One branch is located in Switzerland, and there is a joint venture company in China.
Today, Ralf Gengenbach is active in a variety of professional associations and clubs. Among other roles, he is a board member of VIP3000, a permanent speaker at CONCEPT Heidelberg, and a guest lecturer at the University of Munich, among others. In 2008, he published the book "GMP Qualification and Validation of Active Substance Plants" with Willey Verlag. Overall, he has been working with GMP and cleanroom technology for more than 20 years.
Mr. Ralf Gengenbach is happily married and father of two children.
What did you want to be as a child?
My dream job has always been to be a teacher, preferably in the natural sciences.
What was your first car?
An old VW Beetle, which required scraping the inside of the windows in winter.
What can you look forward to?
There are many things. I already look forward to small things, a successful day, small successes, or simply when the weather is nice.
Which achievement are you particularly proud of?
Certainly, transforming gempex into what it is today. There is a lot of energy and enthusiasm in it. I would also like to mention my book here.
Which technical achievement do you admire the most?
I am a computer enthusiast, and the developments of the last decades are simply incredible to me.
Who would you like to swap places with for a month?
Well, I would sometimes like to swap places with my wife, just to have more time for my children. But generally, I feel very comfortable in my own skin.
In which country would you like to have a second residence?
I am fascinated by Hong Kong and could stay there for a while. Our joint venture is located there. But I would only want to live permanently in Germany.
Whom would you like to meet?
I would not mind having a conversation with the former CEO of GE, Jack Welch. There would surely be a lot to learn from him.
Which book would you currently recommend?
The book "Winning" published by him is definitely a must-read for every entrepreneur.
What is your favorite food?
Very simply, spaghetti Bolognese.
What is your favorite music?
I still enjoy listening to songs by Reinhardt Mey, but I am also not opposed to the contrast program of Shakira.
What was the best advice you ever received?
That I should walk slowly through a door and not run headfirst through the wall — my guitar teacher advised me to do so.
Do you have a motto?
Yes — I have indeed learned that the saying "If you're in a hurry, go slowly" is very, very true.
Ralf Gengenbach
Managing Director
Tel. +49 621 8191190
Fax. +49 621 81911940
r-gengenbach@gempex.com
gempex GmbH
Besselstrasse 6
D 68219 Mannheim
www.gempex.com
