“I love my work at KHS, the products and the challenges these bring. We’re like a family and I’m very happy about that.”
As production manager, I am responsible for the following departments: Machining, Fabricating, Welding, Filler Assembly, Process Assembly and Electrical Assembly. As their manager, I oversee the whole process for new products from raw material to finished products. It is my job to get all these teams together, streamline all the information and coordinate people in our common goal of fulfilling our customers’ requirements.
In 1998 I graduated from high school. Immediately afterwards, I started my apprenticeship as a journeyman machinist at KHS. When I finished the apprenticeship four years later, I had the chance to take over the floor lead. I took on this role for two years. Then I got offered the opportunity to become the supervisor of the machine shop. This was quite challenging for my young age, but my mentors were excellent. They had a lot of faith in me which motivated me as well. The shop was closed later and merged with another one, so I then took over the lead of both machine shops. When my predecessor accepted a new position at KHS, I took over his job as machining, fabricating and welding manager. This was the first time I have taken on responsibility for an area in which I myself am not an expert. Instead, I had experts whom I could trust for every topic. In this role, I streamlined information and reduced the production costs of the shop. Then, due to more retirements a new opportunity opened up. My plant manager was confident of my abilities based on my knowledge and experience and offered me the opportunity to assume responsibility for the entire Product Assembly as well, which I happily accepted.
My favorite thing is managing people, especially professionals who are here because they are passionate and like their job, not having the paycheck as a main reason to work. I am lucky to be in charge of 65 employees working professionally and being happy to work here. At the same time developing relationships, motivating people and giving people goals at work is also a part of my job which I enjoy. I think I am well-suited for my job and that is why I have so many things I like about it. Moreover, I love what KHS is doing. I love the products and the challenges it brings. We also have a good atmosphere here, like a close family, and I am very happy about that.
“My mentors gave me freedom and let me fly solo – but with guidance. This is something I now try to pass on to my team.”
I was lucky to have several mentors at KHS, starting with my first plant manager. My mentors supported me by offering me opportunities, trusting me to make the right decisions and discussing difficult situations with me. I was always given the freedom to use my creativity and to use my critical thinking skills. They let me fly solo – but with guidance. This is something I really appreciated, and I now try to pass this on to my team as their mentor as well.
I have to say that I have many memories which I will remember for a long time, and KHS has become the second home of my life for many years now. I would probably say the memory with the most impact was when I first became supervisor of the machine shop. I gathered the senior workers of the shop around me and told them that I had been offered the position as supervisor. I said I would only do it if I have their support. They told me that they would give me their full support and I should do it. This was a wonderful memory because I saw people wanting me to be in a higher position because they were confident that I was capable of doing it.
I have two young boys and have been married for 15 years, so I have enough trouble going on at home. We live in the countryside which is a 45-minute drive to work. The area where we live offers various options for spending our free time. There are big cities like Milwaukee and Chicago, located directly on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is also not far from the countryside, from the lakes and rivers, to go fishing or to take a swim in the fresh water. The woods near our home are also nice to go hunting. I also like to travel and take short trips with my family. We have a vacation place in Wisconsin where we can go time permitting. I always enjoy these short trips, when I can relax and recharge my batteries so that I am again raring to go when I return to work.
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“We always try to find the distinctive characteristics of each specific client - this makes KHS unique!”
“The fascinating products and the opportunity to work with colleagues coming from all over the world are the reasons why I chose KHS in the first place.”
“It’s a great feeling to have solved a complex technical problem – every single time.”
“Time and again I realize just how important personal contact is for the results of our work.”
“Being able to familiarize myself with production at our international plants proved extremely informative and is still of immeasurable value to me today.”
“Learning a technical occupation at KHS is useful for all those who wish to work on an international level.”
“As an electrical engineer you solve both technical and economic problems. That’s what I love doing!”
