Tell us about your career at UL Solutions.
I started at UL Solutions in 2006 on the administrative team, taking care of reports from inspectors following customer site visits when previously certified products’ production methods had changed. I worked with engineers across the business to get feedback on whether these products needed recertification, which gave me a wide range of experience.
In 2008, I progressed into an engineering role, testing electrical products such as circuit breakers, fuses and industrial components. In 2015, I became an engineering leader on the German team. I also lead the administrative team, the factory controls team and the global market access team. I have 26 direct reports, primarily in Germany.
Why did you join UL Solutions?
I joined UL Solutions because it sounded genuinely interesting. I wanted to collaborate with a wide range of engineers and work in an international environment, and that is exactly what I have been able to do. With my engineering background, it felt like a great place to put my skills to use.
What is your day-to-day role like?
My role is a bit of everything: I lead my team, develop business opportunities, advise on testing, and provide insights to other groups. A significant portion of my day is focused on collaborating with leadership on business development in the switching area.
Changes to legislation around the world have a major impact on our work, so I spend a lot of time ensuring we remain globally compliant in an ever-changing environment. I can honestly say I am never bored.
What is the most interesting or exciting aspect of your role?
Beyond the flexibility the role requires, I find it especially interesting and rewarding to solve problems and answer complex questions. From my early days in an administrative role to where I am today, my work has always been focused on finding solutions to complicated challenges. It is very rewarding to solve an issue or bring something to a successful conclusion when it has been a real challenge. The pace is fast, but that is how I like it!
I also manage a highly diverse team, which I find very rewarding. My team represents 15 nationalities and includes both men and women with a wide range of skills. It is fantastic to work with a team with such a range of origins and perspectives, and it is a great feeling to promote women in STEM while learning from different cultures and nationalities.
What is the best thing about working at UL Solutions?
The best thing about working at UL Solutions is the flexibility. No one has stopped me when I have had a good idea, encountered a new business opportunity, or identified a new structural opportunity. No one has ever said, “Holger, that’s not your job.” They may provide feedback and explain any challenges they foresee, but I have always been able to implement new processes and initiatives.
We have the skills and agility to deliver results quickly. No one ever says, “That’s not my job.” We work together to get the job done.
Can you share your proudest moment at UL Solutions?
I redesigned the certificate of compliance process internationally in 2016. Until that point, our certificates of compliance provided the industry-standard data per component, but when those components were combined into products, all of this data had to be gathered manually. Some products included up to 300 components, so building these certificates for our customers became extremely time-consuming.
I designed a program that enables us to build these certificates digitally, with the information automatically pulled together by a script. This saves significant time and effort and provides a much better experience for our customers. This team won the CEO Mark of Excellence award for this work, which was truly an amazing achievement.
Why is creating a safer world important to you?
Creating a safer world is the best mission ever. It’s as simple as that. I could never work for a company that causes harm, and being part of a company that is working to build a safer world is truly a privilege.
How are you working to create a safer world?
We test products to help ensure they comply with safety standards. If a product carries a UL Mark, customers can be confident it meets those standards. When electrical components fail, they can explode, cause fires, or lead to serious disruptions — so it is critical that we help ensure that this does not happen when products are used correctly.