Custom work at a rapid pace
Zeulenroda Custom-made production team (SK1)
The employees on the SK1 (Stockings Production 1) team are as diverse as the custom-made orders placed by customers. What brings the team together is their dedication to working hand in hand every day so that each stocking is finished on time. Orders received by 10 a.m. leave the logistics center on the same day. That means: many working steps, intense time constraints and a whole lot of organization. Team leader Kathrin Fräsdorf talks about how the team works.
Kathrin, how is your team set up to successfully manage these challenges?
On our team there are 19 women and 2 men. Apart from the high percentage of women, we really have a colorful mix: Colleagues from the region as well as from Jamaica, Serbia, Syria and Iraq. Many of them are trained and have been on the team for a long time. Some of them came to us when changing careers: Two years ago, we integrated seven new employees into the team – one colleague actually made the switch at the age of 61.
How did you integrate them all into the team?
The new members started off with one or two process steps. Specialization followed gradually after that. Of course, our experienced team members had to provide a lot of support during this time. Now after two years, we’ve really got the hang of it.
What work do you perform along with your team?
We process all custom orders in the area of circular knit for knee stockings, thigh-high stockings and pantyhose. In total, that means between 15 and 20 products that we produce and countless sewing work steps along with initial and final inspection. VenoTrain micro and VenoTrain soft are dispatched on the same day. This means we only have a very small time window because the stockings also have to be dyed. We have to be very fast and very flexible!
As team leader, how do you make sure that happens?
Every week, we rotate the process steps. If possible, everyone should be able to do everything. On the one hand, this is physically beneficial: you’re not always sitting or standing in the same position. On the other hand, it doesn’t get boring and we are able to be flexible during vacations or in case of last-minute changes. I also talk with the team a great deal, since we have to understand one another very well. After all, we never know how much work is going to come our way on any given day. In that sense, our job is a constant surprise.
How do you manage order peaks?
We have to work very closely together and play with flextime. When there are still orders outstanding, we stay longer, then we leave earlier on other days. For my deputy Janine Schüssling and myself, this requires a lot of organization and coordination to ensure that our productivity balance is right at the end of the day. After all, we want to provide lots of options, for example if colleagues have to pick up their kids on time or want to attend a German course.
What team rituals do you have?
When it’s time for vacation there’s always something sweet, for birthdays everyone always brings something as well and there are flowers. These little gestures are important to me.
What are your hopes for the future?
That we continue to work well together. And that my team gets recognition for their achievements. It’s not always easy, and together with other departments we do our share to make sure that the customers are satisfied at the end of the day.
About Kathrin Fräsdorf
Kathrin Fräsdorf has been working for Bauerfeind since 1994. The qualified tailor completed her master training with Bauerfeind in 2004. “You grow along with your responsibilities,” remarks the 54-year-old, who took on her role as team leader in production after acting as deputy for some time. Currently, the Weißendorf native leads the SK1 team in production in Zeulenroda.