After 20 years of corporate affiliation the long-term employee and the head of department “technical calculation” retires.
Christine Hartmann (marketing) in interview with Raimund Schulz:
How did you come to robos-labels in the year 2003?
20 years ago I applied as a “repro employee”, because my former company has had two bankruptcies and I simply needed a new job. I have been hired in sales with focus on quoting. I changed from a printing company with over 2000 employees from the roll offset to robos-labels with approx. 20 employees at that time. That was a big change. I had to acquire the material diversity of a label printing company first. It takes at least 1 to 2 years to become familiar with the quantity of self-adhesive products. To go into the depth and to gain proper experience, considerably longer. You learn every day and you never stop. The customer requirements and the required solutions are always special. New solutions are constantly being added.
Is teamwork necessary for the new label solutions?
Definitely. You need everyone for it. On customer side initial meetings usually involve a team from development, QA, production and purchasing. At our company the key account manager, technical calculation, production and QA are involved – ideally all at the same table directly. Over time, we have evolved to follow this necessity and to involve the complete team early. We get really nice and challenging orders, for which we find customized solutions. We can solve these tasks only in team, it cannot be done single-handed.
What has changed since then?
A lot (laughs). The responsibilities of every employee and that the own manufacturing is within the building. Also the direction of industry, the product diversity as well as the printing methods. Meanwhile there is digital printing, including UV inkjet. Silkscreen and roll letterpress printing used to be the main focus. The quantity of customers has risen. We have started as a trading company, by now we calculate ourselves and produce in house.
What have you taken away from the time at robos-labels?
The fun of teamwork and the positive cooperation with our manufacturing.
What were the most drastic experiences, the greatest changes?
Our relocation into the new building in 2017 along with consolidation of sites. The chance for my part-time retirement.
What was the biggest challenge for you in this time?
We fight every day (laughs). To start at robos-labels was the biggest challenge since I previously worked in a completely different area. In a very big company, where many procedures were regulated quite differently.
What has kept you at robos-labels for so many years?
I was so burdened by my family that I haven’t even thought of looking for a different job. This way it turned to twenty years.
What have you planned for your time during retirement?
On my first day I will recover from the stress first. Than I have a to-do-list, which goes to infinity. I have Collie, my dog, other animals, house, yard, and garden – here renovations are planned. Furthermore, I can imagine a longer vacation of 2 to 3 months, possibly abroad.
Will you miss robos-labels?
For sure – the colleagues.