In conversation
A closer
look
Thomas Stabrey
Thörey in Thuringia in the year 2000. In a vocational school class, a young man gets up and announces that he won’t be coming next week because he wants to do something else. Thomas Stabrey sits in the same classroom and also seizes the opportunity: he switches from his insolvent apprenticing company to Von Guttenberg. One call, and only a few weeks later he is welcomed with open arms at the Von Guttenberg location in Thörey – and has remained there to this day. Four answers from Thomas Stabrey.
From apprenticeship to department head – is that a completely normal career at Von Guttenberg?
Not necessarily. At that time I was the first trainee ever at Von Guttenberg, and that was in the field of technical insulation. Luckily there was a vacancy in the roof and façade department and this was offered to me by Mr von Guttenberg. I knew immediately that this was the right thing for me. By then I was already in my second year of apprenticeship, dealing with customers - sometimes alone - and quite quickly chalked up my first successes.
Among colleagues: as always, the team works together at eye level.
Thomas Stabrey, Head of Sales, Indoor and Field Service for insulation materials for roof and facade, dry construction / ETICS / DIY
Is the experience of starting from the bottom up helpful in everyday life today?
I got to know every area of our operations during my apprenticeship. So I also helped out in the warehouse or delivered the goods when there was an emergency. As department manager, when I now ask someone to perform certain tasks I’m familiar with the effort behind the individual work steps. That keeps you grounded. You know what you can ask for - and what you can't.
Is the team separate from the head of department?
I don't see myself as a department head at all. It is important to me to keep the team focused, but with warmth. This means that we don't just talk about work, but about personal matters too. That’s important for the team spirit. And the team members know that they can always come to me, and I also know that nothing works without my team. It doesn't matter what job title we have; we have a common goal, and that welds us all together.
The best thing about Von Guttenberg in one sentence (or two)?
The best thing about Von Guttenberg in one sentence (or two)?