Behind the Circuits: Stefan Dietl - Director of Sales and Marketing
Growth in China – Driven by Passion, Strategy, and Strong Partnerships
Three weeks in China – with full focus and a clear mission. Since 2018, Stefan Dietl has served as Director of Sales and Marketing at Micro-Hybrid. His recent trip was all about strengthening our presence in one of the world’s most dynamic growth markets. Between business meetings and contract negotiations, he took an unusual route to immerse himself in the country: a 120-kilometer bike ride from Shenzhen to Foshan – through mega cities, traditional villages, and across impressive bridges. A journey that symbolizes the contrasts and opportunities that make China so unique.
“Sometimes, the journey itself is just as valuable as the destination.”
Stefan Dietl about his remarkable ride – a mindset that also shapes how he approaches the Chinese market: open, dynamic, and deeply connected.
Strategic Partnerships and Market Potential for Gas Sensors in China
China offers enormous growth potential – especially in the gas sensor segment, where we see double-digit growth rates in our niche each year. The rising demand for ETCO₂ sensors, particularly in medical and patient monitoring applications, further underscores this dynamic. These sensors measure carbon dioxide concentration at the end of exhalation – a critical parameter in respiratory monitoring.
This application is a prime example of what defines us as an All-in-One IR Supplier: Both the IR emitter and the pyrodetector integrated in the sensor are developed and manufactured by Micro-Hybrid. This enables us to offer tightly aligned, high-performance IR systems – precise, reliable, and efficient.
A true milestone was also reached with one of our strategic partners in Shanghai, who received the Golden Award – in recognition of the largest contract ever signed in the history of Micro-Hybrid China. Another key achievement was a new partnership for our inertial sensor technology, opening the door to additional application markets. Our next step: expanding the availability of our European gas sensor portfolio in China to further strengthen our local presence.
“Our partnership in Shanghai shows what’s possible when trust and technical know-how come together. The Golden Award stands for shared success – and the potential that lies ahead.”
Stefan Dietl
Success Built on Local Teams and Strong Customer Relationships
Succeeding in China requires more than just technology – it takes trust. “Over time, we’ve built strong and even friendly relationships with our customers,” says Stefan Dietl – an essential foundation for successful collaboration. Decisions are often made at executive level, so gaining management attention and demonstrating value early on is crucial.
Our local team in China also plays a major role in our success. With the latest addition, we now have five dedicated colleagues on the ground – a clear signal of our commitment to continuity and long-term growth. The recent team introduction highlighted what really matters: engagement, market insight, and cultural alignment.
Lessons from International Sales – Speed and Agility in China
Stefan Dietl has been with Micro-Hybrid since 2013 and holds a degree in International Management and Controlling. Few understand the global business landscape as well as he does. Once again, China impressed him – especially with its fast execution pace: “In Germany, planning, testing, and optimizing often come before any action. In China, decisions are made, acted on, and refined along the way. That level of momentum challenges and energizes us as a technology company.” This is often referred to as Shenzhen Speed – a term that captures the incredible pace at which ideas in China are transformed into market-ready products, partnerships, or projects.
One highlight for Stefan was the feedback from a customer in the medical sector, who praised Micro-Hybrid’s quick adaptability – a clear sign that agility and innovation are valued worldwide.
Trade Shows in China – Key Touchpoints for Long-Term Customer Relationships
Attending Laser Photonics China in Shanghai was another important milestone on this trip – and just one of many trade show engagements planned for our team this year. In 2025, Micro-Hybrid will increase its presence at exhibitions across China to showcase innovations and foster even closer market connections.
These events are more than just display windows – they’re opportunities to build personal relationships. Often, it’s a single conversation that sparks a decision months later – when a potential customer remembers that one interaction that made the difference.
“Trade shows like Laser Photonics are more than product showcases – they create real connections. Sometimes, it’s that one conversation that sparks a decision months later.”
Stefan Dietl
Conclusion: China Remains a Strategic Growth Market
What started as the “Triple-5” strategy – 5 million euros in revenue with five team members in five years – is now close to being fully realized. More importantly, Micro-Hybrid has firmly established itself as a reliable and growing player in the Chinese market. And we owe that success above all to the people behind it – our colleagues, partners, and customers. The outlook is bright – and we’re ready to shape the future together.
