KnobThorn Consulting bridges technology and business in the textile, fiber, and chemical industries.
I help companies turn innovation into strategy – combining deep market insight, business case modeling, and scenario simulations to support smart, sustainable growth.
With a regional focus on Europe and Southeast Asia, I connect global opportunities with local realities.
Whether you’re exploring new markets, navigating sustainability transitions, or validating emerging technologies – I translate complexity into clarity and decisions into impact.
Key strengths:
- Strategic market development
- Innovation alignment & commercial feasibility
- Data-driven decision tools for real-world execution
About Me: “I help companies understand, evaluate, and use technologies and markets strategically.”
I’m Matthias W. Gluth – founder of KnobThorn Consulting. I help companies move from ideas to actionable strategies, especially in the fast-evolving textile, fiber, and chemical sectors.
My approach blends technical depth, market realism, and cross-continental perspective – with a strong focus on Europe and Southeast Asia.
Whether it’s building business cases for new technologies, evaluating regional growth opportunities, or simplifying complex decisions – I believe in clear thinking, honest dialogue, and solutions that actually work.
- Chemist & Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- Sales & Marketing Strategist: Proven track record in driving value and growth
- Operations Expert: Maximizing chemical process efficiency, compliance, and risk management
- Lean & Six Sigma Leader: Driving continuous improvement and operational excellence
- Sales Tools Pro: Mastery in pricing, value selling, and key account management
- Project Management Specialist: Delivering projects on time and within budget
- Global Leadership: Empowering teams across South-East Asia, Korea, South Africa, and China
- Sustainability Advocate: Reducing pollution and promoting renewable carbon solutions
Matthias W. Gluth
My scope of work
🔹Strategy & Market Intelligence
- Market entry assessments & opportunity mapping
- Business case modeling & scenario simulations
- Supply chain & sourcing analysis (EU ↔ SEA / Africa)
-> Specialized Offer:
- Textile sourcing & innovation scouting for DACH-based brands
- Partner identification in Thailand & Vietnam
- Material sample coordination, factory validation, and tech matching
🔹 Innovation & Sustainability
- Roadmaps for sustainable transformation
- Technology scouting: fibers, chemicals, circularity
- Innovation workshop facilitation & cross-functional ideation
-> Specialized Offer:
- Sustainability communication support for Asian producers
- Translation of technical claims (REACH, LCA, Green Claims) into EU-ready content
- Website copy, trade fair material, and compliance storytelling
🔹Cross-continental Bridge Building
- Europe ↔ Asia / Africa business development & localization
- Partner & supplier matchmaking
- Project incubation, delegation & follow-up
-> Specialized Offer:
- Feasibility studies
- Quick scans & deep-dive reports for investors or tech players
- Support for early-stage go-to-market in frontier regions
Need visuals to complement your business strategy? Check out our Photography & Visual Services for impactful storytelling tools.
KnobThorn Photography & Visual Services: Transforming your vision with storytelling and impactful content:
- Powerful narratives that captivate and inspire—perfect for presentations, websites, articles, and more
- Stories come to life through striking visuals—dynamic data visualizations, charts, graphs, diagrams, illustrations, and graphics, seamlessly combined with high-impact photography and AI-generated imagery for maximum impact
Let’s bring your vision to life and make an impact!
Why work with me? Enthusiastic about leveraging my expertise, determination, and knowledge to drive impactful contributions and deliver measurable results
- Innovative and creative senior leader with over 25 years of international experience in textiles, man-made fiber, and chemical industries.
- Known for bridging technology, operations, and market dynamics with a passion for sustainability.
- Proven track record in driving commercial & operational excellence, continuous improvement, and team empowerment.
- Extensive hands-on working experience in South Africa and Thailand (Southeast Asia) and China, bringing a global perspective to every challenge
Contact me
The Knobthorn Tree
The Knobthorn tree (Acacia nigrescens) is native to sub-Saharan Africa and thrives in savannas and open woodlands. Recognizable by its distinctive knob-like thorns, this deciduous tree can grow up to 20 meters tall. Its dense, durable wood is highly valued, and it plays a vital ecological role by offering food and shelter to a wide range of wildlife.
The Knobthorn tree is native to southern Africa – where I raised.
It’s a tree that thrives in tough environments: strong, resilient, and distinct – just like the industries and regions I work in.
With its deep roots in African soil, signature thorns, and its ability to grow in challenging conditions, the Knobthorn reflects how I approach consulting:
- Clarity in complexity
- Structure in dynamic markets
- Connection across continents
At KnobThorn Consulting, I bring together my South African heritage, global industry experience, and a grounded perspective to help clients navigate innovation, strategy, and growth – especially between Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
