The Minds Behind Rapid Shape: Joachim Krause on Dental Innovation, Business Development, and Digital Transformation
Meet Joachim Krause, Senior Business Development Manager Dental, whose 45+ year journey from dental technician to industry leader showcases the digital evolution of dentistry at Rapid Shape.
[Joachim Krause as a youngster]
About Joachim Krause: From Dental Technician to Digital Dentistry Pioneer
Joachim Krause’s career in the dental industry began in 1978 with training as a dental technician. His extensive experience spans from hands-on work at the workbench to marketing and product management, and eventually to sales and business development.
For approximately two years now, he has been driving digital transformation as Senior Business Development Manager Dental at Rapid Shape, bringing decades of industry expertise to one of the most innovative companies in dental 3D printing.
Q: You began your apprenticeship as a dental technician in 1978 and gained a wide range of experience over the course of your career. First at the workbench, later in marketing and product management, and finally in sales and business development. You’ve been at Rapid Shape for about two years now, what convinced you to join our team after all these years and positions?
Joachim: What attracted me to Rapid Shape was the innovative technology and the opportunity to work at the forefront of the dental industry. Another big attraction was the prospect of working in a dynamic and future-oriented company that is constantly looking for new solutions to revolutionize digital technology.
Rapid Shape also offers a collaborative work environment where I can contribute and further develop my diverse experience and skills. The opportunity to work closely with a talented team and collaborate on exciting projects was also a deciding factor. Finally, I love the challenges of business development.
A Day in The Life of a Leader in the Dental Industry
Q: As Senior Business Development Manager Dental, you hold a title that reflects a wealth of experience. What does your daily routine look like, and what are you currently working on most intensively?
Joachim: My responsibilities include developing and implementing business development strategies, maintaining and expanding customer relationships, as well as identifying new business opportunities in the dental sector.
Together with my colleagues, I work on projects for market expansion or the introduction of new products. This includes analyzing market trends, collaborating with the marketing and sales team, as well as participating in industry events and trade fairs.
Q2: You are excellently networked in the dental industry and can be found at almost every event. How important is networking in your role, and what brings you particular joy about it?
Joachim: Networking is of crucial importance in my role. It enables me to stay up to date with developments in the dental industry, make valuable contacts, and exchange knowledge. I particularly enjoy personal interaction with colleagues and experts. These interactions not only promote my professional growth but also inspire me and offer new perspectives and ideas.
Inspiring the Next Generation: Digital Dentistry in Education
Q: A topic that is particularly close to your heart: You regularly visit universities to inspire future dentists and dental technicians about digital processes and our products. Why is this exchange so important to you?
Joachim: The exchange with future dentists and dental technicians at universities is particularly important to me because I want to inspire the next generation of professionals about digital processes and our innovative products. It’s a great opportunity to pass on knowledge and experience and to prepare students for the future of the dental industry.
I particularly enjoy seeing how students enthusiastically embrace new technologies and methods and integrate them into their education. This exchange not only promotes their professional development but also contributes to the advancement of the entire industry.
[Joachim Krause presenting]
Q: Is there a project or customer relationship at Rapid Shape that has particularly stuck in your mind, whether because of the challenge or the collaboration?
Joachim: With the introduction of the ONE Chairside solution, we opened a new target group for ourselves – dentists in university and private practice settings.
Particularly the establishment of digital workflow in student education through these solutions is meeting with great response at universities. Very exciting projects are emerging here.
Q: Is there a project or customer relationship at Rapid Shape that has particularly stuck in your mind, whether because of the challenge or the collaboration?
Joachim: With the introduction of the ONE Chairside solution, we opened a new target group for ourselves – dentists in university and private practice settings.
Particularly the establishment of digital workflow in student education through these solutions is meeting with great response at universities. Very exciting projects are emerging here.
Q: Even after all these years, you’re still passionate about your job. What is your personal driving force?
Joachim: My personal driving force lies in my passion for the dental industry and the joy of developing innovative solutions that make the daily lives of dentists and dental technicians easier. I’m excited about how technology is constantly evolving and what possibilities this opens up.
Particularly motivating for me is the direct contact with customers and colleagues, collaboration on projects, and the positive feedback we receive. These moments confirm that our work makes a real difference and drive me to continuously search for improvements and new ideas.
Q: In your free time, you’re a passionate motorcyclist. What does riding mean to you, and is there a special route or destination you absolutely want to experience?
Joachim: Motorcycle riding means freedom and adventure to me. It’s a way to escape everyday life and experience the world from a different perspective. I particularly enjoy the feeling of independence and the connection to nature that riding brings.
There would still be many destinations – southern Europe, the British Isles, the Balkans. However, these destinations still need to wait a bit until I really have time for them.
[Joachim Krause with his Motorcycle]
Global Growth: Rapid Shape’s Future in Digital Dentistry
Q: You travel a lot and are excellently networked. What opportunities do you see for Rapid Shape to further expand our brand and network worldwide, and where do you see the most exciting potential for the future?
Joachim: The opportunities for Rapid Shape to further expand our brand and network worldwide are enormous. Through the continuous expansion of our network and our distribution network, we could open new markets and establish valuable partnerships. I find the potential in emerging markets particularly exciting, where demand for digital dental technologies is steadily growing and where we, as I believe uniquely in the dental industry, can offer the broadest and deepest digital portfolio with innovative solutions for small practices and laboratories all the way to production centers.
Another area with great potential is the continuous further development of our products and services. By always staying at the cutting edge of technology and offering innovative solutions, we can further strengthen our market position and win new customers.
Learn More About Rapid Shape’s Dental Innovation Team
Interested in discovering more about the people driving innovation at Rapid Shape? Explore our Internal Interview Series to meet the minds behind cutting-edge dental 3D printing technology.
