Christof Ronge

Responsible globally for development and implementation of product design for the ASSA ABLOY Global Master Brand. Make sure the ASSA ABLOY Global Master brand products stay ahead of competition. Drive brand development needs and opportunities across the entire ASSA ABLOY Group.

Defining and implementing a modern and attractive ‘look and feel’ when it comes to aesthetic design of products across ASSA ABLOY and its divisions. This will be achieved by supporting and training product managers and R&D teams, as well as coordinating industrial designs of external sub-contractors and consultants. Defining aesthetic product design guidelines related to different product groups and major brands and keep them updated by following up design trends. Reviewing competitor’s products and make sure that ASSA ABLOY stays ahead of the competition when it comes to aesthetic design.

Staff department position with sole responsibility at executive management level. Key task: developing & managing company-specific innovation and design development processes while considering target group and brand strategy factors, including implementing all process-related tools. Coordinating & maintaining brand-specific design language and guidelines. Ensuring compliance with brand-specific design quality in product design. Establishing & technical management of in-house design team. Developing portfolio & new product design strategies for all 4 company divisions (Home Fitness Products, Garden Furniture, Bicycles, Child & Play).
Key achievements
Clear segmentation of all 4 sub-brands with design guidelines for each product group. Developed and implemented the complete product development stage gate process. Generated innovations in each category with internal team / external creative partners as branch benchmark. Training, leading and coaching product management through the product development process. Lead role in rebuilding the company’s corporate design from a 4 brand to a 1 brand strategy with the internal design and marketing team.

Project responsibility as interface between clients & the design team. Key tasks: Consulting and managing clients all the way through the design process, including all relevant activities ranging from briefing development to the final presentation. Customer support for all issues relating to design, motivation and control of the design team, internal and external communication, process development, price quotations, project planning, presentation, negotiating fees, business development.
Clients: Almdudler, AMST, Atomic, Gasteiner, Dr. Heidenhain, K2, Kettler, Krauss Maffei, Lohberger, Mennekes, Mobilkom, Osram, Otis, Pankl, Plasser & Theurer, Robel, Salewa, Stadlbauer (Carrera), Swarovski, Therm-Ic, Wintersteiger
Key Achievements
Complete brand relaunch for Gasteiner mineral water with bottle design, product graphics, all communication medias and POS. Product launch Atomic D2 Ski as branch benchmark product.

Product design agency with up to 5 employees and a network of freelancers. Specialization: Sports products, consumer electronics, packaging design, corporate design, product graphics. Clients (selected): 20th Century Fox, Atomic, Alpha Industries, Burton Snowboards, Dachstein, Fanatic, Gasteiner, Generics, Homeboy, Intersport International, ISPO/Ideas, K2 Sports, Kettler, Krauss Maffei, Merck, Newline, Nike, Quelle, Rossignol, Rotwild, Salewa, SIGG AG, Sport 2000, Tchibo, Union Investment, Vaude, Webasto, Zanders

Key Achievements
Design of innovative solutions for Burton Snowboard boots and K2 Inline Skates which later became branch benchmarks.