Jochen Kalender | Mold Making
From Herne to Atlanta: Jochen Kalender began his career at RECKLI as a carpentry apprentice. He is now a master carpenter and since november 2021 also head of the model making department. If that wasn't enough, he also advises the colleagues at the American subsidiary US Formliner.
When things get busy in the USA, the phone rings in Herne: the colleagues from US Formliner then ask Jochen Kalender for advice via Facetime. Jochen is head of the pattern-making department and organised the restructuring of production at the American subsidiary after the takeover of US Formliner.
Through his close contact with America, Jochen is aware of how large and international RECKLI actually is. "Nevertheless, working in the company feels like working in a family business," he says. Colleagues, other department heads and the management have an open ear, even for small things, and new ideas are always welcome in Herne.
Jochen himself knows first-hand how strongly RECKLI supports its employees. He started in 2007 as a journeyman carpenter in mould making. His master craftsman's examination was sponsored by RECKLI: Twice a week he finished work early to attend evening school. The company set up a time account for him for the further training and the exams and charged him very generously. Besides mould making, Jochen soon also took care of complaints: He travelled all over Germany and as far as Spain to visit the customer when something went wrong.
After the takeover of US Formliner, the management asked him to help out with his wealth of experience in the USA. The production was understaffed and had to be adapted to RECKLI standards. In August 2014, Jochen flew to the USA and was welcomed with open arms in Atlanta. The familiar RECKLI atmosphere could also be felt on the other side of the Atlantic. Jochen did his bit and helped colleagues establish the new production routine for nine weeks. Since then, he travels to the States for support when the order situation is big - and in the meantime, colleagues say hello via Facetime.
In his new role as head of department, he wants to continue the model making business in a future-oriented and sustainable way: "I am looking forward to the new challenge and to the trust placed in me by the management and my colleagues.