Operations Manager Appointment for ASG Bremerhaven
A new operational chapter is unfolding at ASG Bremerhaven, the historic German aerospace manufacturing site and a key part of the ASG Group. Marcus Griep has been appointed as the firm's Operations Manager, marking a return to the company he first joined over two decades ago. With 20 years of hands-on experience working on the CNC machines that form the backbone of the operation, Griep brings not only technical knowledge but also a revitalised vision forged during his time away.
Marcus originally worked his way through the ranks at ASG Bremerhaven—from machinist to production manager. His experience has evolved automation, gaining valuable management and strategic insight and now, returning as Operations Manager, Griep is reapproaching the business with fresh eyes and a forward-looking mindset.
"Coming back to ASG Bremerhaven feels like coming home," says Marcus Griep. "This business has shaped my professional identity. After ASG Group's acquisition of the business, I saw an opportunity to come back with a honed set of skills and experiences to contribute on a whole new level, and help build something future-facing here."
Founded in 1846—19 years after the town of Bremerhaven itself—the company was originally known for its excellence in compass manufacturing, a space then dominated by British firms. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the firm began pivoting to high-precision machining for aerospace applications. Today, ASG Bremerhaven is globally respected for its specialist CNC turning and milling expertise, serving customers in aerospace, nautical instrumentation, and medical technology.
Its machine park reflects a commitment to staying at the leading edge of production technology. The factory's pride and joy is a Traub TNX65 multi-spindle machine, a symbol of high-performance automation and precision. Alongside it is a line of Haas CNC machines—a strategic investment first made in 2012, making ASG Bremerhaven one of the first in the region to adopt them. The hard metal turning capability within ASG Bremerhaven, as found in its UK sites, continues to be a crucial asset to the aerospace primes in the region, to whom the firm is becoming a strategic supplier; supporting their tactical leads both in Europe and in the U.K seamlessly.
Griep’s return aligns with an important cultural shift which has been driven by ASG Group, which is investing heavily in its people. He is committed to continuing the group philosophy of blending the deep institutional knowledge of long-serving employees—many of whom boast 30, 35, even 40 years of service—with new methodologies and leadership approaches.
"This is the perfect environment to welcome in a new generation of engineers with this blend of youth and experience on the shop floor, we have created a very supportive mentoring environment and have a fantastic track record in developing young engineers from their apprenticeships through to senior professionals - the business is looking to attract the budding young engineers of Bremerhaven into an exciting vocational career within a well established and respected business" adds Griep.
"The factory of the future doesn’t abandon the past; and we have a rich history of knowledge and experience here," Griep explains. "The team here has unrivalled knowledge and craftsmanship. My role is to bring modern tools and thinking, and work alongside them to build something greater than any one of us could do alone."
His leadership style emphasises trust, accountability, and inclusivity. By identifying informal leaders within the organisation and empowering them, Griep is fostering a culture where continuous improvement and unity are front and centre.
Griep is also excited by the seamless collaboration now taking place between ASG’s UK and German operations through continued investment in its most important asset, its people. “We’re no longer thinking in terms of national boundaries—we are one integrated aerospace team across group. Whether we’re supplying Airbus or any of our other high-tier customers, we’re doing it with a shared mindset and a shared standard of excellence. Moving away from siloed thinking and benefitting group input and knowledge is incredibly powerful and exciting to be part of.”
Simon Weston, Group Managing Director of ASG Group, is confident in the appointment. "Marcus brings a powerful combination of technical depth, operational leadership, and emotional intelligence. He knows the shop floor and the people here better than anyone, but he also understands what it takes to scale and modernise a business. We’re delighted to have him leading ASG Bremerhaven as we continue to integrate and elevate our European operations."
Weston continues: “The opportunity ahead is enormous. Airbus and other global OEMs increasingly want a supplier base that is stable, collaborative, and capable of delivering consistent performance across borders. That’s exactly what we’re building across ASG, and Marcus is an important part of that transformation. His understanding of the cultural context and technical expectations in Germany makes him an ideal bridge into our group ethos.”
With this appointment, ASG Bremerhaven is aligning itself more closely with the rest of the ASG Aerospace network, helping to drive group-wide goals in quality, efficiency, and innovation. There is a renewed energy in the air—and with a heritage of excellence and a roadmap to the future, ASG Bremerhaven is once again setting the standard for high-precision aerospace manufacturing in Europe.
As Griep puts it: "The shared capabilities across the ASG Group, from engineering resources to customer relationships, give us leverage like never before. We’re building something that will outlast any one of us—an international aerospace centre of excellence driven by passion and precision."