Not every medium-sized company today can be proud of the long service of a young employee (34). General Industries Germany and General Industries Polymere do, however.
We get together with Managing Director Sylvia Könneker and Managing Director Matthias Henning for a small staff meeting to honour Isabel Gerwig’s ten years of work and her character.
In March 2014, Ms Gerwig joined General Industries Germany and worked with Mr Hennig and just one other person in small offices and was not only able to observe the growing steps of the company almost from scratch after taking over the family business, but was also able to play an active role in shaping it. She was also instrumental in the founding of the subsidiary General Industries Polymere and the NON-FOAM plastics trade.
In her opening speech, Ms Könneker emphasised Ms Gerwig’s many years of dedicated work, as well as her burning interest in the topics of plastics and recycling, in which she herself has become intensively involved. With her enthusiasm and determination to drive the company forward, she was able to inspire many employees. She also enriches the team with her willingness to resolve conflicts because “even when there are ups and downs, she is an important pole that is able to push away some of the black clouds.”
Mr Henning, who took over the family business from his father, summarises the story of Mrs Gerwig’s beginnings in the newly acquired company for those present and some newcomers to the group. He emphasises that it is not a matter of course in today’s short-lived times, when many people change jobs, to look back on such long-term cooperation in a company. “From that point of view, I think it’s special that you’ve stayed ten years.” We don’t know Ms Gerwig’s motives, but Mr Henning emphasises that “we at least try to maintain a certain culture every day and ultimately retain employees here.” Our group includes employees who have only just started, and it is certainly exciting to follow Mrs Gerwig’s career and small anniversary celebration. Mr Henning thanks us once again: “Thank you very much for these ten years that we have had and of course – as they say on a birthday when someone turns 50: ‘here’s to the next 50’ – we hope that we will continue on this path together with you for at least the next 10 years.”
Visibly moved and surprised by this spontaneous little celebration, Mrs Gerwig thanked them for their trusting support and said that she was looking forward to working with them for at least the next 10 years. A personally presented letter to Mrs Gerwig and much applause closed the family-style company meeting.
Congratulations! 😊
