The Mixing Facility here thrives on diversity – and not just because of the massive number of compounds that Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) assembles from countless ingredients and then processes into homogeneous materials.
In this case, the term “diverse” refers to the people who work in FST‘s mixing plant in Weinheim, Germany. “When we were first asked how diverse we are, the answer was clear,” said Competence Center Manager Christian Pfeifer with a grin. “We’re just mixing plant workers. Regardless of whether we are seen as Ukrainians, Russians, Albanians, Turks, Bavarians, Prussians, Italians, Portuguese, Indians, Tamils, men, women, old and young, plant or office workers, craftspersons, managers, athletes or people with disabilities. We are not consciously aware of these differences. We see ourselves as a team.”
Change of scene to top-flight soccer: If you look at the squads of two men‘s teams that have won world championships recently, you see a colorful assortment of players whose cultural backgrounds and ethnic origins are often not rooted in France (2018) or Germany (2014). But it was the mix of players that made the teams successful. Or consider the club level: FC Liverpool became the English champion and Champions League winner with a German manager. An Egyptian, a Senegalese and a Brazilian took charge of scoring for the “Reds,” while a Dutch giant was the goalkeeper.
A foosball table at the Weinheim Mixing Facility symbolizes diversity on the pitch and in the world of work. The figures of the players are diverse: There are 11 players painted assorted colors, both men and women, on each side. The people who wield the rods are diverse as well, yet they want just one thing during these moments: to score goals and win – and have fun along the way. Pfeifer applies the foosball scenario to the workplace. “Our employees may be diverse, but they have committed themselves as a team to producing the best possible compounds.”
But there is still a slight difference between Freudenberg employees and soccer players: In the plant, all the action takes place during breaks. It’s just the opposite out on the pitch: That’s when the players are condemned to the sidelines.
