Without you, without us! Our brand ambassador Petra Wulff on International Women’s Day
Yes, we are quite proud of it: Many incredibly strong women work for us and shape the Hartkorn company every day in a very special way. Today, on World Women’s Day, we would like to introduce you to a very special woman who has shaped, supported and driven our company for many many years: Our dear Petra, power woman in the warehouse control center!
Petra literally belongs to the famous inventory, because she has been with the company for almost 20 years now and is one of the longest serving, active employees. 3 years ago she was also fully deserved for her achievements, in front of all employees of Dr. Hartkorn personally received our “Harkoso Award”, a prize that only the best and most committed employees earn from time to time. Hats off!
But before we continue to write endlessly about work, history, etc., let’s just let them have their say 🙂
Q: Petra! Nice that you took the time for us! You must have a lot to tell. Start from the sewing box: What was it like when you came to Hartkorn?
A: Oh well, that was a long time ago! But I still remember that I had the interview with Mr. Hartkorn Senior. I had previously applied but was rejected because there was currently no vacancy. But I must have left a good impression (laughs) because a few weeks later the phone rang and Ms. Hartkorn asked me if I would still be interested in a job because there would be something available now. And I was already at Hartkorn.
Q: And then? Did you immediately grab the warehouse management and show where the hammer hangs?
A: (laughs) No no, at the beginning I worked in the production. I also bottled there. At that time, the warehouse was still directly connected to production. There was no separate person responsible for. In general, everything was a little simpler than today. At the time we only had 3 drivers and I was only here for half a day at the beginning because I also looked after my daughter.
Q: And how did you get to the camp management?
A: That was actually relatively quick. At that time it was already evident that we were getting bigger pretty quickly. Our senior boss had therefore searched for a separate camp in the area and found it quickly. I was asked if I would like to take over this camp. Of course, I didn’t let that take me away. In the new warehouse I was my own boss for the first time! In winter I sat there all by myself. Wrapped up with a hat and scarf (laughs again). But it didn’t take long before I got the first colleague at my side. It must have been around the turn of the millennium.
Q: A lot has happened since then. When I started here, this warehouse no longer existed and you were an experienced warehouse manager with some employees in another, larger warehouse. Tell me!
A: Well, you just grow with your tasks. More and more people came. Over time you learn to take responsibility for the employees and to distribute tasks fairly. So the years went by. The tasks became more and the work remained exciting.
Q: You will be very admired for this! You’re not afraid to venture into uncharted territory, are you? I am also thinking of the start of our computerized warehouse management a few years ago …
A: Well, I always say: You can get as old as a cow, but you can still learn (exactly, laughs!). When I started I didn’t know how to use a computer. The orders were still processed by hand. But it was part of it, so I learned to deal with it. The start of the new picking software was a big challenge, but I somehow mastered it again. You get more relaxed over the years.
Q: You will be very admired for this! You’re not afraid to venture into uncharted territory, are you? I am also thinking of the start of our computerized warehouse management a few years ago …
A: Well, I always say: You can get as old as a cow, but you can still learn (exactly, laughs!). When I started I didn’t know how to use a computer. The orders were still processed by hand. But it was part of it, so I learned to deal with it. The start of the new picking software was a big challenge, but I somehow mastered it again. You get more relaxed over the years.
Q: Everything sounds pretty stressful. How do you balance all of this?
A: On the one hand, I am very happy that I have a great team at work. In the warehouse management I am happy about our Nadja (A. d. R .: Was also a brand ambassador >> click <<), who is a great help in all computer stories, and about our Mario (Ad: R .: Also Brand ambassador >> Klck <<), who is the practitioner in the area. I am glad that I can be the haven of peace here. And privately my balance is clearly my little 3-year-old grandson. Absolute sunshine and my true love! This is the best change you can have and I enjoy every minute with the little one!
Q: You’re sure to spend a lot of time with the little one, right?
A: My daughter lives a little further away, so unfortunately I don’t see him every day. But when he’s there, that’s for sure! In between I spend my time crocheting, knitting and other handicrafts. This is how self-made soft toys are created for the little ones.
Q: It’s pretty creative what you do on the side! Simply exciting your story! So exciting that we almost forgot our questionnaire at the beginning. But only almost! So of course we are now firing it quickly. You don’t actually ask women about their age, can we?
A: Sure, I have no problem with that! I am 57 years old, but I feel younger.
Q: Your favorite spice?
A: Clearly our Magic Spice. That really works with EVERYTHING!
Q: What do you like about your work / Hartkorn?
A: That we keep growing and so my tasks always remain varied and it never gets boring. I also like my colleagues and the great team! (A.d.R .: In between she calls out through the door frame with a voice: “Valentin! Valentiiiiin! Think about the glasses !!!”) I also think it’s great at our new company headquarters that you now have more contact with the administration. This strengthens the togetherness again and you get to know many employees much better!
Q: The mandatory finger snap and you would be somewhere else in the world. Where are you flipping
A: It’s clear! With lots of new soft toys to my grandson! 🙂
Petra, that was a super interesting interview! You are a great colleague who is appreciated by everyone here. Be it through your absolutely warm, humanly collegial nature or through your expertise accumulated over the years, you are welcome. We therefore hope that you will remain with us for many years to come, good luck and health and that you will always succeed in everything you do. And another greeting to your grandson: If you can read soon and read this, be aware that you have a very fantastic grandma!
Petra, thank you very much!
