What are your daily tasks?
Kaspar Henschke: My tasks are varied and I really enjoy them. As I’m responsible for purchasing wood chips, I discuss prices with suppliers. I also plan staffing for the wood yard, where the wood chips are delivered by lorry and transferred to our production facilities. I coordinate the incoming and outgoing quantities of wood chips with our stocks of roundwood, our second source of raw material. Finally, I also take care of controlling tasks: for example, I keep an eye on compliance with our annual planning, assess costs and make sure that our wood actually comes from FSC- or PEFC-certified forestry operations.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Kaspar Henschke: I enjoy the close contact with suppliers and colleagues from a wide range of departments, which allows me to learn a lot and get involved in many different areas.
What has been your best experience so far?
Kaspar Henschke: The opportunity to be involved in planning our new plant came as a real surprise. We’re a small team and work closely with architects, plant suppliers, authorities and other partners involved in the construction project. The tasks are very varied and demanding because some topics, such as structural fire protection, are completely new to me. But it’s also very rewarding to see what we can achieve together.
Why do you like working at Gutex?
Kaspar Henschke: Because it’s a highly innovative company. Because I’m fully convinced by wood fibre insulation and, as a qualified forester, I completely support what we’re doing. And because there are always new projects.
What qualities do you need for a job in your field?
Kaspar Henschke: I think good communication skills are definitely an advantage, as is a certain openness to new challenges. If you enjoy getting to grips with new topics and problems, you’ll find plenty of opportunities in wood purchasing and environmental management.
Are you originally from the region or did you move here?
Kaspar Henschke: I moved here from Göttingen and quickly got to know the people and the area. I’m also someone who prefers to have nature right on the doorstep rather than having to travel half an hour by metro to reach it.
How do you feel about working with your colleagues?
Kaspar Henschke: We’re very focused and determined, but no matter how busy things get, we always find time to talk about personal matters as well. The personal atmosphere here is excellent – and I think that contributes both to everyone’s satisfaction and to the company’s success.
Does Gutex have clear hierarchies?
Kaspar Henschke: Of course we have hierarchies, but because we’re in direct contact with our managers, decisions can be made quickly and purposefully. There aren’t multiple layers of management that have to approve everything first. We’re growing, of course, and some structures need to evolve, but overall we still have very flat and direct structures.
How do you assess your opportunities for development?
Kaspar Henschke: Very positively. I think that if you show that you can and want to take on more, this is quickly recognised and you’re given greater responsibility as a result.
How can you tell that Gutex is a family business?
Kaspar Henschke: The management is still very present and approachable. I regularly see the people responsible for the company, and I think that reflects both our flat structures and the fact that the well-being of each individual really matters, right up to the top.
Describe Gutex in three words:
Kaspar Henschke: Innovative, forward-looking, hands-on.
