People behind REHAU: Jens Klasen

12.04.2022

"From construction to the assembly line: How Jens Klasen became an edgeband expert"

Jens Klasen is in a good mood. He takes a day off in lieu, so he can be flexible when it comes to the interview. In this case that also means that Jens may have to go to work at the REHAU plant in Visbek at short notice. "Must?" he laughs. "May!" he says. What kind of man is he who talks so enthusiastically about his work?

Jens, you're off today - normally you work shifts at the Visbek plant. How did you get your job?

I started at REHAU in 2014 as a career changer. That was no coincidence; I really wanted to work in this plant. I knew REHAU edgebands well because I had already dealt with them professionally. I am a trained carpenter, so I knew that really good products are manufactured here.

What makes your old job different from your job at REHAU?

I used to leave the house early in the morning and come home late at night. I was on construction sites in all weathers. As a carpenter, I worked in a very small company; we constantly had a stress level that was hard to bear. I had almost nothing from my family at that time, which was bad for me. I was unhappy with the situation. But I didn't want to do just anything else. It had to be a company that I could identify with. And so I came to REHAU through my relationship with edgebands. Fortunately!

What are your tasks at the Visbek plant?

I am an operator, I extrude edgebands. I implement dimensions, shapes and surfaces, intervene in processes, monitor the machine and pack my products. I admit that when I was a carpenter, I didn't realize how demanding it is to produce edgebands. I have to check a lot of values to make sure we meet all the criteria in manufacturing. When I was brought in in 2014, my head was really spinning. It was stressful for me to have to learn so much. I came from a craft background and was used to working precisely with my hands. However, at REHAU, I had to acquire a lot of knowledge about the products and machines. My managers helped me out and saw what was going well and where I needed support. Today, I know my machine by heart. Where there is a will, there is a way.

What are the biggest challenges in your work?

Sometimes it is not so easy to keep up with the speed of the machine. However, good routines, technical support and the team help to keep everything running. In the summer, the heat is a bit of a challenge. The good thing is that I can work in a T-shirt all year round. It used to be different on the construction site.

Now you have told us how you fared professionally as a career changer. What did the change mean for you on an interpersonal level?

Our team - there are about 20 of us - is simply fantastic. There are very young colleagues, but also older ones. We stick together and have a great atmosphere. From the first day at REHAU, I noticed that people support each other here. Here, you can ask a question a sixth time if you did not quite understand the answer the fifth time. And that's how I continue to live this now and try to help new employees. The managers are approachable; we laugh a lot and drink coffee together. No one puts on airs and graces – I like that. We recently got a new plant manager, Lukas Martin Bachmann. With him, it was familiar and comfortable from the very first day.

I can tell: You really feel at home at REHAU. But isn't shift work also exhausting?

That's a matter of type. For me, shift work is the best thing that could have happened to me. It allows me to participate in life again. I have two children, and I can plan ahead thanks to shift work. I can go shopping in the morning and spend time with the kids in the afternoon. If there's a school performance coming up, I know if I have time and can make a firm commitment. REHAU has helped me to lead a family life again, and I am happy about that. And so is my family, by the way.

What are your career goals at REHAU?

The plant in Visbek is a place where you can grow old. I want to work here until I retire. To do that, I am continuing my education. During the annual appraisal talks, for example, you always get open feedback. What's going well, where can I develop? That encourages me to recognize and build on my strengths.

But even if you're passionate about your job, you still need a break, don't you?

My family and friends are the best compensation. But I also have hobbies, I'm a fisherman and I love to ride my bike. I simply commute the 15 kilometers to work every day on my e-bike. And of course, as a carpenter, you have a connection with wood; I often tinker in my workshop at home.

So you also have a lot to do in your private life.

That's right! And you know what: Sometimes my work is the balance to my free time.

Thank you, Jens, for the interview! Your enthusiasm is contagious.