Today's portrait is a very good endorsement of the saying "You always meet twice." Matthias Fitzner has been with Joh. Clouth for a total of 30 years – with a short break in between of just less than half a year at another company. Mr Fitzner tells us how this came about in an exciting interview.

Twice to Joh. Clouth

"After my training as a car mechanic, I went directly to my military service. In 1988/1989, there was still the regulation that small businesses did not have to keep employees’ jobs free because of their military service. So, after my military service, I worked in a shipping company. When I delivered a consignment to Joh. Clouth, I asked the manager at the time if there were any vacancies. Since they were looking for workers, I was able to start there shortly afterwards", remembers Matthias Fitzner about his beginnings at Joh. Clouth in 1989.

In 1999, he successfully graduated as a state-certified technician. Unfortunately, at that time, there was no suitable position for him in the company, so he left Joh. Clouth in September of 2000. He goes on to say: "However, when the opportunity arose in 2001, I applied again at Joh. Clouth." – and he was successful: On 16th March 2001, he was able to continue his employment at the company.

Clouth products are fascinating

During his years at Clouth, he has worked in various positions at the company and was able to gather and contribute experience. "I have changed and advanced over the years, because this allows me to be curious about upcoming changes and to embrace them."

Mr Fitzner went on to explain: "I really enjoy my work at Joh. Clouth. I find the products and the applications where, for example, the doctor blades, etc. are used very interesting. My work is very varied and if you look at the upstream and downstream processes, it is more than simply a job for me."

Clouth has evolved over time

A lot has changed in the last 20 years. Mr Fitzner recalls: "Looking back, the development at Joh. Clouth has raced ahead. Starting with the old production halls, which were expanded at the time, and the administration building that was later painted blue and yellow – all the way to the move from Lenneper Straße in Remscheid to Hückeswagen. There, the company moved into the new production facilities and new administration building in Johann-Clouth-Straße."

Mr Fitzner continues: "On top of this was the joint venture with Horst Sprenger GmbH, which resulted in the founding of Clouth Sprenger GmbH, the takeover of Maschinenbau Eltmann and the founding of other companies. From the development of Joh. Clouth, I can easily see that investment and innovation go hand in hand. I observed how investments are brought into new production processes in order to use and optimise them even more intensively."

 "The biggest change I felt was the generation change in the company management and when the move to Hückeswagen took place in connection with this. This resulted in a new orientation of the company – with success!"

Mr Fitzner is very proud of the fact that in the past he was also able to contribute his knowledge in a purposeful way and develop himself as deputy head of technology and work preparation. Today, however, Mr Fitzner not only passes on his knowledge in his current position in work preparation. He is also the department's training officer and supervises our trainees in this area during their training at Joh. Clouth.

We would like to thank Matthias Fitzner for the interesting interview and the journey into Clouth's past.

The next issue of our interview series will introduce you to an employee who has been with the company for more than 30 years.