‘Let's hold true to MEIKO's values and find the right people to do that with us.’
What has been your journey at MEIKO?
I started training as a mechatronics technician in 2010. At that time, the norm at MEIKO was to spend a year on rotation between different departments after your training. I did it differently. I still had half a year of training left when a position needed filling on MEIKO's machine maintenance team. I applied and got the job. I then went on to complete further technical training at the School for Automation Technology in Offenburg alongside my job. These days, I am Head of Maintenance at MEIKO
From baby boomers through to gen Z, every generation wants to be managed differently.
Whilst we are on the subject of education and training, what do you think are the reasons behind the shortage of qualified staff?
If you look at the relevant age groups in schools, you can see that practical jobs are becoming less appealing. It's something of a paradox because these are exactly the jobs we need now that everything is increasingly digital. Individually handmade items cannot be replaced by digital technology. I also observe that vastly different generations are working together in companies – and they have vastly different expectations and needs. This was something we thought about in terms of internal communication at technical school. On that management level, you need to focus on these differing needs because that ist he only way to hold on to employees in the long term.
What did you value about your training at MEIKO?
My metalworking tutor. I learnt so much from him – especially hands-on practical skills.
What do you find meaningful in your job?
My coworkers and how we treat each other. We work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and we do that for 40 or 50 years. That is a huge chunk of our lives that we are spending in a meaningful way if we get on well, understand each other and can talk to each other.
Role models within MEIKO
Are there role models within MEIKO?
Yes. Christoph Homburger, our Head of Production and Technology. He made his way into a high-responsibility position having come through technical qualifications.
What challenges could MEIKO take on in the future?
We have the expertise and enough creativity to move into many more customer segments. Of course, I won't say which ones.
What is a little-known fact about MEIKO?
Barely anyone knows the many plots of land and buildings that belong to MEIKO in Offenburg. From the point of view of building maintenance, I am constantly amazed. You can really tell that MEIKO grew organically.
What are your birthday wishes for MEIKO?
To continue to develop the things that have always made MEIKO unique throughout the current generational shift. Maintaining our values and finding the right people to do that with us.
From sheet metal to complex machine
What fascinates you about MEIKO?
When you see a piece of sheet metal come from storage and get turned into a complex machine and you are standing there at the inspection station at the end of the production process and everything really works.