Since the beginning of January, Rodica Ababei has enriched the Varioprint management team as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), bringing a breath of fresh air to the technological direction of our company.
In this interview, she talks about what excites her about her new role, the technological focus she wants to set and how she intends to shape the company for the future with innovative ideas. Immerse yourself in her visions and find out in the interview how Rodica Ababei combines technology and collaboration to master upcoming challenges.
Welcome to your new position as CTO at Varioprint. What motivated you to take on this exciting role in our innovative company?
Thank you for the warm welcome! Printed circuit boards are the “spina dorsalis” of modern electronics. In an innovative company like Varioprint AG, I have the opportunity to actively work on real future technologies. Especially if, like me, you have a strong affinity for technology, it's an exciting and meaningful task that I'm really looking forward to.
The position of CTO has been newly created. What are the most important goals that Varioprint is pursuing with this decision?
Varioprint has undergone many positive changes at management level in recent years - from the further development of the corporate culture to the strategic direction. The technological “piece of the puzzle” was still missing in this new structure. The newly created CTO role closes precisely this gap. It makes it possible to actively help shape the strategy, drive innovation in a targeted manner, help shape and develop structures and play a decisive role in determining the technological direction of the company.
What are the first big projects you will be focusing on in your new role as CTO?
In the short term, we are currently concentrating on further developing the structure of our “technology team”. In close cooperation with the Production, Sales and Engineering departments, we are working hard on our technological roadmap. Every single contribution counts in order to achieve our strategic goals step by step.
What are you most looking forward to in your new role as CTO?
The role of CTO is not only technical, but also very strategic. I'm looking forward to working closely with the management, influencing important company decisions and bridging the gap between technology and the market. There is enormous potential, especially in an established but adaptable industry like PCB manufacturing - and as CTO I have the opportunity to bring about real change.
And where do you see the biggest challenges that need to be overcome?
I think the biggest challenge is the balancing act between the rapid technological development and the people in the company, who have to be prepared to keep up with this pace. As CTO, you don't just lead a team, you also develop talent, establish a modern tech culture and want to live and communicate a technical vision. Not only expertise and motivation play a role here, but also the corporate culture and shared history.
In an industry where women in management positions are still rather rare: What challenges have you overcome on your career path so far and how have you successfully tackled them?
I have overcome many challenges on my career path with heart and great motivation. For me, the drive has to come from within. Female leadership is often characterized by an appreciative, empathetic and sustainable leadership style, which has a positive impact on the entire team. It is important for me to emphasize that leadership skills are diverse - women in leadership roles can inspire and encourage other women in particular to pursue career paths that were not previously taken for granted.
What technology trends are you currently observing that you consider to be particularly forward-looking and that Varioprint should develop further in the coming years?
I currently see several technology trends that have great future potential and are particularly relevant for Varioprint:
Miniaturization & HDI technologies: Ever smaller components, higher layer counts and tighter tolerances require new manufacturing standards.
Rigid-flex and flex PCBs: Particularly in aerospace and medical technology, they offer more design freedom, fewer connectors and greater reliability.
Sustainability: Recyclable materials and environmentally friendly processes are becoming increasingly important - not only due to regulatory requirements, but also due to rising customer expectations.
New materials: High-performance, thermally stable substrates enable new applications, for example in power electronics.
Digital production: The smart factory with data-driven process monitoring and predictive maintenance open up new opportunities in efficiency and quality assurance.
These developments offer great potential for innovation - and Varioprint has the opportunity to play a pioneering role here.
How do you manage to lead a team that is always at the cutting edge of technology while promoting a culture of innovation and collaboration?
Technological excellence doesn't happen on its own - it's a team effort. At Varioprint, the key lies in the commitment of each individual: A team that takes responsibility, thinks for itself and puts its heart and soul into working on our customers' products. My job as CTO is to create the framework - through openness, knowledge transfer and clear structures - so that innovation and collaboration can be lived in everyday life. This is the only way we can stay at the cutting edge of technology together.
How do you integrate sustainability and ethical considerations into the development process of new technologies within Varioprint?
Sustainability and ethical responsibility don't just start at the end of development - they are part of the process from the very beginning. At Varioprint, we rely on a systematic, multi-stage approach: right from the concept phase, we pay attention to sustainable material selection and check our supply chains - including geopolitical risks. We are constantly making our production processes more resource-efficient. Interdisciplinary teams from technology, environmental management and quality assurance work closely together to achieve this. After all, technological development is not a static state - it must continue to evolve in line with growing environmental awareness and increasing regulatory requirements.
What is your long-term vision for Varioprint's technological development and what strategic initiatives will you be focusing on over the next five years to make the company future-proof and innovative?
Our long-term vision is based on the innovative requirements of our customers, who are already showing us the way into the future. The path is certainly challenging, but it offers enormous potential. In the coming years, we want to position ourselves as a leading provider of PCB solutions that are not only powerful and space-saving, but also meet the highest environmental standards. Our solutions will be seamlessly integrated into next-generation systems to drive technological development and make the company future-proof and innovative.
With Rodica Ababei, Varioprint has gained an experienced technology expert who combines strategy and technology. Her ability to see the big picture, her enthusiasm for innovation and her communicative nature make her the ideal candidate for the new CTO role. Welcome on board at Varioprint, Rodica!
