After studying mechanical engineering at RWTH Aachen University and completing a PhD in business administration at the Technical University of Munich, Nilles began his professional career in machine tool engineering at ThyssenKrupp, where he was responsible for purchasing, logistics and production for a total of eleven plants worldwide. This was followed by senior positions in plant management at Bosch Rexroth as well as a ten-year tenure as CEO of Kleemann GmbH, where he significantly advanced the international focus of the crushing and screening plant manufacturer.
Dr Nilles acquired extensive experience in plastics processing at KraussMaffei Kunststofftechnik, where he was ultimately responsible for global new machine business as Executive Vice President New Machines and a member of the extended board. Before taking up the position at ARBURG, he was CEO of Humbaur GmbH, Europe’s largest manufacturer of car trailers.