People behind REHAU: Krzysztof Okon

13.07.2021

A career with passion and a thirst for knowledge

It is a widespread opinion that making a career only works if you change employers frequently. Krzysztof Okon, who has been working for REHAU for 30 years, proves the opposite. Starting in 1989 with an apprenticeship as a plastic molder at the Rehau site, he now manages the Polish REHAU plant in Srem. His activities for REHAU have taken him to six countries, including South Africa, England and Russia. In the interview we learned more about Krzysztof's impressive career.

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Krzysztof, what does a normal working day look like for you?

My weeks are quite structured and my calendar is well filled. In addition to regular appointments, there are spontaneous or unplanned appointments every day. In a factory, it is difficult to plan the day or the whole week in advance. Nevertheless, I start my working day at 8 o'clock. Over a cup of tea, I briefly check the production status, any problems that may have arisen the previous day, and prepare myself for the day. The start also includes a brief consultation with my assistant. As often as time permits, I take part in the daily management rounds with my superiors.

Despite my busy schedule, I generally allow myself sufficient time for employee meetings. My door is always open to employees. In addition to spontaneous appointments, as plant manager I regularly offer round table discussions. This offer is used intensively by the employees. The problems and solutions presented are implemented within the plant at short notice with the involvement of the supervisors.

After all these years, what still motivates you to do your best for REHAU every day?

For years, I have been observing the continuous global development of the product portfolio, the sites and the polymer technology at REHAU and I am proud to be a part of it. Working with my team is my biggest motivator. I have always felt comfortable working in a plant. It is exciting to observe how theory is put into practice in a plant. Certainly, we experience the dynamics of the market and the resulting need for change on a daily basis. Nevertheless, I attach great importance to a minimum of stability. This provides the team with the orientation it needs and forms the foundation for our vision and standards. Our consistent pursuit of the vision and teamspirits was recognized at the Operations Award 2020 worldwide with the best placement within the REHAU Division Window Solutions. I am extremely grateful to the entire team for this - it is exactly what motivates me to do my best for REHAU every day.

What experiences have you been able to gather during your international assignments and how has this helped you professionally and privately?

During my travels to other countries and plants, I passionately observe the different processes and their functionality. In doing so, I very often come across simple solutions. These can be topics of a technical, but also of an organizational nature. I try to store and process these for myself. This broadens my horizon. We in the industrialized countries often tend to expensive "mature" solutions, but we rarely accept recommendations from other countries. I see my international wealth of knowledge as a privilege and always try to use it to achieve the optimum for REHAU.

In which country did you prefer to work and why?

In my professional life, I have been able to visit many beautiful countries around the world. In some places I was only able to gain experience for a short time, in others I stayed for several years. Each of these countries enriched my life. For my first foreign assignment, I flew to Johannesburg in 1992 immediately after completing my training. There I moved into my first apartment, bought my first car and learned how to operate the washing machine. It was my start into my own life, so to speak. In the three years I was able to make many friends. I quickly discovered my love for Africa. I used every free minute to explore the continent by sea, land and air. Among my favorite memories of Africa are certainly my numerous safaris in the wilderness, an expedition to the 5,895 m high Kilimanjaro in Tanzania or a canoe trip on the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe to the Victoria Falls. But also short weekend trips often determined my free time.

How were you able to reconcile the frequent changes of residence with your family?

Indeed, a change of residence is a drastic event for everyone. Suddenly, you are confronted with decisions that you rarely have to make. As a single person, I saw it more as an adventure. As a family with children, a change of residence posed greater challenges for me and my wife, because in addition to an apartment, we also had to find a school or kindergarten. The separation from our circle of friends was always painful for us and the children. During all the moves, my wife was always a reliable partner and always supported me. In the meantime, we look back as a family on many instructive years of travel and laughingly realize that we were never bored. As globetrotters, we have built up a third culture from our home culture and the host country cultures. We see this as a kind of family cultural cocktail.

What is your balance to your job?

Even though work fills most of the week and free time sometimes comes up short, I try to provide a balance to my professional life. I like to spend my free time with my family and in nature. Gardening offers me the possibility to relax mentally after a long working day, e.g. while mowing the lawn I often come up with inspiring ideas. Many of my project ideas found their initial spark on the terrace.

Among other things, you also participated in the REHAU Manager Development Program. To what extent has this helped you in your personal development?

In my professional life so far, I have been able to combine technology and personnel management in various functions in groups of different sizes. In this way, I have learned about the world of personnel management and motivation in addition to technology. Despite many years of experience and training in the field of personnel management, my thirst for new knowledge in this area was unquenched. The Manager Development Program asked me the optimal opportunity to round out my profile and get to know modern, agile management skills. In addition to gaining knowledge, I also value the development of new, international friendships and networks. These continue to this day.

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Would you make the same decisions about your career again today?

In my professional life, I never followed a strict long-term career plan. I have always tried to perform the tasks as well as I could and with passion. I always try to close any gaps in competence that I may have identified or that may arise. Life is like riding a bicycle: As soon as you stop pedaling, you stop and fall. At every stage of my professional life, I look ahead and follow the motto "Keep it simple, just do it" and set the next personal milestone.

Do you have any advice for young REHAU employees who want to develop internally?

Success is not a goal, but a product of the individual milestones.

Thank you very much for the interview, Krzysztof!