On 1st November 2001, Reiner Mittelbach , Ifra CEO, took over the helm at the Ifra headquarters in Darmstadt as well as the network of Ifra affiliates and representations that has been built up worldwide in recent years.

Mittelbach began his career in 1986 with Unilever in their packaging group 4P.
After several positions in sales and marketing, he joined another packaging company called Menshen GmbH & Co KG in 1994 as their marketing and sales director.

Two years later, he became involved with the graphic arts industry for the first time by joining Polar- Mohr, the manufacturer of cutting systems, as their sales director for a brief period before becoming their marketing and sales director.

Two and a half years later, he moved to Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, where he held the position of Speedmaster sales director for Europe and North America for one year before he joined the management team of Heidelberg's business unit Finishing as senior vice president marketing.