ten HompelProf. Dr. Michael ten Hompel, born 1958 in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, studied Electrical Engineering at RWTH Aachen and graduated from Witten/Herdecke University in 1991. In 2000, he joined the managing board of Fraunhofer IML in Dortmund (since January 2005: Managing Director) and became head of the Chair of Materials Handling and Warehousing at TU Dortmund University. Besides his work as scientist, Prof. ten Hompel also worked as entrepreneur. In 1988, he founded GamBit GmbH in Dortmund and was managing partner of the company, mainly dealing with the development and realisation of Warehouse-Management-Systems, until he left in February 2000.

His work mainly focuses on the planning of logistics systems, logistics software, warehouse management, identity technology, and development of material flow systems. He is named to be one of the fathers of “Internet of Things” and participated to a large extent in the development of “Shuttle Technology” and “Cellular Intralogistics”. In 2010, he initiated as strategic head  the “leading edge cluster”(Spitzencluster) “EffizienzCluster” set up by the Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). His role in founding the “LogistikCampus”, an interdisciplinary research center of TU Dortmund University, was substantial.

Besides other commitments Prof. ten Hompel is member of the board of both, BVL and BITKOM, Chairman of the board of Fraunhofer Academy and member of acatech (National German Academy of Science and Engineering). Michael ten Hompel was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Logistics in 2012.