Dr. Karl-Heinz Glander appointed as Varroc Business II R&D head

Global automotive supplier Varroc Engineering Ltd has appointed Dr. Karl-Heinz Glander as the new Head of Research and Development for Business II.

Dr. Glander’s appointment is a strategic move for Varroc Engineering Ltd, a prominent global tier-1 automotive component group. In his new role, Dr. Glander will spearhead the company’s innovation and technology strategies, playing a critical role in advancing the company’s R&D efforts. Based in Germany, he will oversee R&D activities for Business II and report directly to Mr. Dhruv Jain, CEO of Varroc Business II.

Key Responsibilities and Focus Areas

Dr. Glander will be responsible for the development of cutting-edge technologies including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS), Driver and Occupant Monitoring Systems (DOMS), cockpit electronics, video telematics, and fleet management systems. His leadership is expected to drive Varroc Business II’s R&D strategy, promote a culture of innovation, and enhance the company’s competitive advantage in the global automotive market.

Statements from Leadership

Mr. Dhruv Jain, CEO of Varroc Business II, emphasized the significance of this appointment, stating, “At Varroc, we are constantly striving to push the boundaries of innovation and technological excellence. The appointment of Dr. Karl-Heinz Glander as our new Head of Research and Development for Business II marks a significant step forward in our journey. His expertise in the automotive sector will be instrumental in driving our R&D efforts forward. I am excited to welcome Dr. Glander to the Varroc family.”

In response to his appointment, Dr. Glander expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, saying, “With great excitement and enthusiasm, I embraced this outstanding opportunity when I learned about Varroc’s ambitious and challenging plans to enter innovative markets related to active and integrated safety, such as Advanced Driver Assist Systems and Driver/Cabin Monitoring Systems. Additionally, the increasing integration of connected services within vehicles, which enhance the infotainment and overall user experience for both drivers and passengers, truly captivated me. I am thrilled to contribute to Varroc’s journey by leveraging my background in active and passive safety, as well as in the navigation business.”

Background and Expertise

Dr. Glander holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Bonn, Germany, and brings over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. His expertise encompasses advanced technology, product innovation, and mass production development. He is also an intacs-certified Provisional Assessor for Automotive SPICE, with deep knowledge in agile and classic project management, ASPICE, ISO 26262 (Functional Safety for Automotive), and ISO/SAE 21434 (Cybersecurity of vehicle electronic systems). Prior to joining Varroc, Dr. Glander has held significant positions at Aptiv, ZF Automotive/TRW, and Siemens VDO/Continental.

About Varroc Engineering Ltd

Founded in 1988, Varroc Engineering Ltd is a leading global automotive component manufacturer. The company specializes in electrical-electronics, polymers, metallics, and exterior lighting systems. With a group income of ₹75,940.74 million from continued operations in FY24, Varroc operates 36 manufacturing facilities globally, supported by seven R&D centers. The company employs over 7,000 people, including more than 750 R&D engineers, and holds over 100 patents.