Professional Career Chart

01/2017 to date

06/2014 - 12/2016

01/2013 - 12/2016

10/2010 - 12/2012

12/2008 - 12/2013

06/2008 - 03/2014

01/2000 - 03/2014

01/1998 - 02/1999

07/1997 - 12/1997

01/1996 - 06/1997

05/1993 - 12/1995

01/1991 - 04/1993

07/1984 - 04/1985

Owner BRIDGE Consulting, specialized in international business development between Europe and Asia, based in Austria and Shanghai

General Manager BIOLUX Biofuel (Nantong) Co., Ltd., a 100% trading subsidiary of BIOLUX Austria

Director of the Board, International Supply Chain, CNOOC BIOLUX (Nantong) Bioenergy Protein Feed Co., Ltd.

Management Consultant for BIOLUX Biofuel GmbH, Austria, assigned to their Biodiesel Production Joint Venture with CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation) in Nantong China

Shareholder & Managing Director, Abaco International Pte. Ltd., Singapore

Shareholder & Managing Director, Rusaco GmbH, Salzburg, Austria

Shareholder & Managing Director, abaco management & consulting gmbh, Salzburg, Austria

President, Lanco Watches Limited, The Swatch Group of Switzerland SA.

Marketing Director, Consumer Goods Division, Daniel Swarovski Corporation AG, Switzerland

Regional Manager, Marketing & Sales Asia/Pacific, Swarovski Management Singapore

General Manager, Marketing & Sales, Swarovski Japan

Product Manager, Marketing, Swarovski H.O. Austria

Internship, Finance and Accounting, Ford Motor Company, Austria

Professional Career Summary

Born 1962 in Salzburg, Austria, Michael enjoyed a humanistic education at the Akademisches Gymnasium Salzburg.

After one year of military services in the Austrian Army’s corps of engineers and promotion to the ranks of lieutenant, Michael commenced his university studies at the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

Just after graduating with the equivalent of a master’s degree Michael joined Swarovski in 1991 to commence his professional management career at one of the leading, privately owned, international corporations in Austria.

After a two year stint as product manager in the Austrian head office, Michael embarked on his international career path which lead him to Asia. Having gone through an introductory six months at Swarovski Hong Kong, Michael relocated to the Swarovski Japan operations in Tokyo. Taking over as General Manager he was in charge of the consumer goods business and the implementation of international brand marketing strategies.

What followed after three years in Japan was a promotion and relocation to the Asia Pacific head office in Singapore where Michael took over the position of Regional Director, responsible for markets from Japan to Middle East and China to Australia. Yet another two years onwards Michael was called to the Swarovski global operations headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland to take over the position of International Marketing Director for the consumer goods division.

In 1997 Michael followed the call of The Swatch Group, left Swarovski and became in charge of one of the group’s watch brands as managing director. An entirely new watch collection was conceived and produced in China and successfully introduced in the US American retail market.

In 2000 Michael decided it was time to try something entirely new in his professional life. Taking all the expertise and know-how gathered over the years of his international career, he set up a consulting business with his partner Andreas, an engineer and product development expert he knew from the old Swarovski days. Marketing savvy combined with technical know-how and experience in Asian markets were the foundation of the consultancy services. Catering mostly to European SMEs, Abaco Management and Consulting provides to this day strategic advise and hands-on implementation support for international business development. As a result of the international consulting activities, Abaco International was incorporated in 2008 in Singapore, serving as a hub for market entry into and development of the South East Asian markets. Also in 2008, Rusaco was incorporated in Austria as a result of a consulting project in Volgograd, Russia. The main business purpose of Rusaco is the trading of grains from the Black Sea region to Mediterranean markets. All three companies are headed by Michael as managing director and major shareholder.

In late 2011 Michael has taken over the responsibility of developing the international supply chain management for a Chinese - Austrian biofuel joint venture in Nantong, Jiangsu, China. 2013 he was appointed Director of the Board of CNOOC Biolux Nantong. 2014 he took over as General Manager of Bilux Biofuel Trading in Nantong.

As of 2017 Michael returned to Austria to continue his consulting and business development activities as owner and CEO of BRIDGE Consulting Group.