ARMIN DREHER

An employee representative who truly listens

The year 1989 marked the fall of the Berlin Wall – and also the beginning of Armin's career at MEIKO. With a metalworking qualification under his belt, he started work in the large machines division before going on to apply his skills at various testing stations. Since 2000, he has also been an active member of the works council. In 2022, he was released from his regular duties to focus on his works council responsibilities. Today, he is as committed as ever to advocating for the interests of the workforce. Read on to find out more about the day-to-day work of a member of the MEIKO works council.

THE EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM

Armin is a firm believer in this motto, and he's often the first to arrive at the office in the morning. He starts his day by airing the works council office, switching on his colleagues' computers and putting the coffee on. A little bit of caffeine helps Armin and his team power through their works council responsibilities. This is a job that focuses very much on people rather than machines, and that means listening carefully to employees' concerns and knowing how to deal with delicate situations.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING FOR THE WORKS COUNCIL, ARMIN?

Armin: "Having empathy with people – that's so important. The works council handles numerous cases every single day, and each one is unique. It might be an employee who needs some confidential advice, or someone who needs extra support with something they're struggling with. Every situation is different. Sometimes it’s a professional matter, but other times it’s a personal issue that is impacting their work. This job can sometimes be challenging, but it's always rewarding. What's more, it gives you a great overview of the entire company and lets you act as a bridge in all sorts of interactions between management, HR and the workforce. The important thing here is that all our communication is built on trust.”

WHAT MAKES MEIKO SUCH A UNIQUE EMPLOYER?

Armin: "However much the company has grown, it still maintains a respectful, almost family-like atmosphere. I think that's a result of being owned by a foundation. We have events running throughout the year, such as our legendary summer party, our wiener sausage celebrations and various other on-site marketing campaigns. That's something very special."

100&NBSP;PERCENT COMMITTED TO MEIKO

Despite its size as a company, I still see MEIKO as a thoroughly social enterprise. It says a lot for a company to have been in business for nearly 100 years. That kind of success requires real teamwork!

WHAT'S THE MOST MEMORABLE MEIKO PROJECT YOU'VE WORKED ON?

Armin: "During my time working on the large machine test stand in the M-iQ production area, I worked on all sorts of fascinating projects. What impressed me most was the diversity of technical components, the high degree of customisation, and the groundbreaking innovations in conveyor technology. Every project came with its own exciting challenges. Since I started working full-time on the works council, my focus has shifted. The thing I value most now is when colleagues personally thank us for helping resolve their concerns or issues. We often get that kind of feedback, and it's a good reminder of why we do what we do. Seeing people smile, knowing they're happy – that's something you can't put a price on."

HOW DO YOU UNWIND FROM WORK?

Armin: "For many years I was an active member of the VCO Offenburg volleyball club, right up until the pandemic. But eventually my shoulder problems made that impossible. These days, I play electric guitar in the cover rock band "JamCis", and I occasionally even take on lead vocals! I also love mountain biking. At MEIKO, we even have our own mountain bike group that organises multi-day trips at least once a year. I’ve formed lasting friendships with several colleagues through activities like that."

TWO BROTHERS AT MEIKO…

Armin joined MEIKO in the late 1980s after hearing about the company through word-of-mouth – a common way of recruiting back then. His brother Roland was already part of the MEIKO team, working as an industrial electrician. Armin made a good impression in his interview with a production manager and got the job.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO POTENTIAL APPLICANTS?

Armin: "Being friendly and approachable is important here. A simple "Good morning" or "Enjoy your meal" goes a long way. And remember: a smile doesn't cost you anything!"

CAREER TO DATE

1989

Began his career in large machine production.

From 2000 onwards

Took on additional responsibilities as a member of the works council while continuing in his primary role.

Testing station expertise: Initially worked on B-Tronic systems before transitioning to large M-iQ machines in 2010.

December 2022

Released from operational duties to focus on his works council responsibilities

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