In conversation
A closer
look
Jörg von Guttenberg
As a specialist wholesaler of dry construction products, WKSB insulation technology, insulating materials for roof and facade as well as industrial processing, von Guttenberg stands between the suppliers and the customers. In this position, the company acts as a mediator and consultant, seller and facilitator of construction projects of all sizes. With all these different roles, it is vital to always have one thing in mind: the big picture. Jörg von Guttenberg is a master of the big picture, supported by his team. An interview.
Mr von Guttenberg, how do you run a company like this successfully for so many years?
One thing is clear: a company is always successful when it is one of the best in the industry. Our aim is to be one of the best two. We can do this by looking at two things. First: what matters most to the customer? That we keep our promises. And that is exactly what we do, by delivering one thing that is our common thread, from our consulting to our products: quality. Second: healthy self-confidence. This is valuable to me as a human being, but also to the company. What are our strengths? And where are our weaknesses? We address these weaknesses, understand them and work out how we can get better.
Getting involved at an early stage: Jörg von Guttenberg helped out in the company while he was still at school.
Today, as managing director he continues the success of his father.
And what if you are already one of the best?
Then it is important that you don't just pat yourself on the back and think you’re the greatest. If I go to work with this attitude, I’m automatically no longer the best. To stay really good, we have to go home with the feeling that we are able to do better. This process of thinking and questioning is also very important.
Always quality, always punctual. Have you ever thought “it’ll be tight this time”?
Always on time is impossible. There are people working here, and people make mistakes. Of course, given our digitalized warehouse and other smart technologies, for example, our error rate should be lower than our competitors’ error rate. But if something goes wrong, then we simply set everything in motion to correct the error. And we learn from it. Because anyone can make a mistake; only a fool keeps making the same one.
Many can deliver. What distinguishes Von Guttenberg from the others?
Speaking of mistakes, it is the human touch that makes all the difference in our company. We always speak in plain language; our customers and suppliers need to know that. And we remember what we promised – informally and contractually. In other words, we keep our word. Another important point is the size of our company. We are large enough to be truly professional in terms of expertise, technical requirements and warehousing, yet small enough to tackle problems directly and immediately and solve them creatively.
What do you wish for the future?
That we continue to communicate so successfully with each other – face to face instead of past each other. And that we don't miss any developments in the industry and the world. We have an alert, questioning mindset that we like to describe as “healthy paranoia”, and we aim to keep it up.