Torsten Kruse was born 1965 in Germany. After having finished grammar school he did an apprenticeship in electron-mechanics, followed by the 15 month service in the German Federal Armed Forces. Afterwards he studied automotive engineering at the Universities of Hamburg (Germany) where he graduated as an engineer.

His first employment in the year 1995 was as a technical sales engineer for electronic drive systems in the printing industry at INDRAMAT ( today Bosch Rexroth ) He started his professional career at the Axel Springer printing plant in Ahrensburg ( near Hamburg ) as an electronic engineer.

Afterwards he led the workshop for electronics and mechanics for 5 years, followed by 2 years with responsibilities for process optimizing and product development in the mailroom department. Since 2009 he has led the department product & technology ( formerly the maintenance department ).

Since 2009 he has also been responsible for the idea management of the complete Axel Springer concern.