Katrin, you have been the manager of a Silka plant since January. What made you choose Xella?

I was looking for an open-minded management that would allow my involvement and be willing to explore new ways of doing things. I would describe my management style as modern because I actively involve my employees in decision making and communicate with transparency. I found this at Xella! Moreover, Xella is also a regional employer, and it was important for me to be able to cycle to work.

How would you describe your first few months?

When I started working, I quickly realized that there was also a need within the team to do things differently. You have to think carefully about how to meet this need, because processes are prescribed and standardized. But all my colleagues made it easy for me to fit in right from the start. We discussed the decision to change the organizational structure at the site together. It was clear to everyone that many tasks would have to be shared and that someone would have to work closely with me. The team made sure that we could maintain holistic management by swapping shifts and without creating an additional position. This approach and support from the team is remarkable. When a new boss comes in, most people are reserved.

What is the most important to you in your role?

I try to get maximum input from my team and give maximum feedback in return. For me, transparency is the sine qua non of good leadership. In production planning, for example, I use all the available skills and qualifications to combine them in such a way that results in optimal and productive day-to-day operations.
It's also important to me to encourage my team to think strategically and to meet them where they are. Everyone is needed. I always ask myself: is this person really in the best position, or is there a position where he or she could use his or her strengths more effectively? Especially in view of the shortage of skilled workers, I want to be able to deploy my employees as flexibly as the day-to-day business requires. Everyone can develop their skills and qualifications. There are 23 of us in the plant, working in two shifts. Many of us have been doing this job for 30 years, and I want to keep everyone on board. Discussing our strengths and weaknesses openly strengthens the team.
 

What does sustainability mean to you?

I abhor waste in any form. Whether it's food, clothing, raw materials, or time. That's what sustainability means to me. I believe you can make something new out of anything. That's why I find it so rewarding when our products come back into the value chain and are reused. That’s a milestone in the construction industry.

What fascinates you about building?

I'm a tactile person and have to touch everything. Even as a toddler, I spent hours in the hardware store with my dad – we still do this. Wood, stone, concrete, metal - everything goes through my hands. My father instilled in me the desire to do everything myself: the house I live in, I designed myself and I have put a lot of sweat and blood into it, not just during construction. Before I became a plant manager at Xella, I had already worked at various stages along the value chain, including road construction, and managing a quarry. I'm a car mechanic and studied automotive engineering. This has nothing to do with my current job, but sometimes it helps when, for example, a forklift truck breaks down.

Why did you decide to become a car mechanic?

As a child, I got a taste of the garage air of a car repair shop and was fascinated by cars from an early age - my apprenticeship as a mechanic was a foregone conclusion. My parents would have preferred me to work in a bank. But I grew up on my street, surrounded by boys and no other girls, which also shaped me and made me robust.

You have already achieved a lot in your career. What's next for you?

I was raised to be independent thanks to my mother who worked full time and was also an executive. Maybe that's why it's important to me to leave my own footprints. What drives me is the need to make a meaningful contribution and to be successful with my team. The exact path may not always be clear, but the key is to keep moving forward and learning. In that sense, I've also learned that a small step back can mean a big step forward.

You've been working in and around the city of Magdeburg for 15 years now – what makes you so loyal to this region?

I am originally from Cologne, where I lived for 20 years before going to Hamburg for my education. I came here for my first job and quickly realized that this is the life I want to live now. I live very rural and secluded with my Labrador Ginger on a property with a wild, natural garden, a few chickens, ducks, geese, and horses. I spend every free minute outside and need a lot of time to myself. And to stay fit, I swim 1000 meters almost every day. I always have a packed swim bag in the car wherever I go.