Q&A: Joachim Schüßler provides insights into the sales department
Welcome to our employee interview series - with Joachim Schüßler.
In 25 years at Plasmatreat, I've learned a few things, for example that you can quickly go from wearing a suit and tie to being a service technician simply by taking off your tie and jacket.
What were your first impressions when you joined the company?
I already knew Plasmatreat before I joined, as the company used to be a customer of mine. I had sold them a robot with the serial number 1 back then. I had also been in contact with Christian Buske and other Plasmatreat employees at trade fairs. Although I was not yet officially part of Plasmatreat, I was already actively working with Plasmatreat. As early as October 1999, I was asked if I would be interested in a position at Plasmatreat.
My first day at work was in April 2000, when I arrived by train and immediately got to know a few colleagues: Holger Timpe, Klaus Gerdes, Kai Berszuck and Conny Puck, who was a real institution in the company. In Steinhagen, however, I quickly realized that I didn't want to stay there for long - it was raining all the time! As one of my new tasks was to set up a branch in southern Germany, that wasn't a problem.
On my second day at work, I was already programming the robot that I had previously sold to Plasmatreat myself - and this application still exists today!
In October 2000, we founded the branch in Birkenfeld, and the official opening ceremony took place on November 15, 2000.
How do you think the company has changed over the last 25 years?
We have developed from a start-up into a large, international company. We used to be just 20 people, everyone did everything. Today, many things are more strictly separated and the areas of responsibility have changed.
What was the most challenging project you worked on and what did you learn from it?
A particularly challenging project was the collaboration with Griesser. After a year of planning, the entire project had to be redesigned and optimized. After some labour-intensive and nerve-wracking time, we were able to successfully install the system in 2008. This experience showed how important it is to accept challenges and deal with setbacks. The collaboration also provided valuable insights into dealing with strong personalities on the customer side.
Another major challenge was the construction of our new branch in Birkenfeld in 2018. The building was 90% complete when the construction company filed for insolvency.
I was on the construction site every day and coordinated the final completion myself.
What successes or achievements make you particularly proud?
I am just generally proud of our team and what we have achieved together over the last few decades.
How would you describe the corporate culture?
We are highly innovative, sometimes almost too innovative. And because we have grown so much in the meantime, we have to make an effort to maintain and optimize our collaboration across departmental boundaries. It was the culture of cooperation and support that led us to success back then, and we need to hold on to that. There is a tremendous amount of support among the sales team and everyone helps where they can when help is needed. And you can also settle differences, then you shake hands and ask how you can help.
Were there any mentors or role models in the company who inspired you?
Two names come to mind: I learned from Christian Buske himself on the sales side how to deal with customers and projects at Plasmatreat and how to approach some things in the field of plasma technology. I still benefit from that today! I also picked up a lot of technical know-how from our former production manager Klaus Gerdes. He had this certain way of explaining things so that you could understand even the most complex topics!
How have your tasks and responsibilities changed over the years?
I started out as the person responsible for southern Germany and did everything: sales, application technology, service and initially even cleaning tasks. Today I am Head of Sales in Germany and strategy and personnel responsibility are at the forefront of my remit, but I deliberately keep myself up to date with service work.
What do you wish for the future of the company?
All the best in any case!
I hope that our innovative strength can be translated into concrete successes and that we can continue to get the horsepower we have onto the road.
What advice would you give new employees?
That's quite simple: don't be too shy to do practical work. Go through the entire process from acquisition to commissioning so that you understand what we do.
And very importantly, if it's not documented, it didn't happen!
What else would you like to learn?
Stay calm in difficult situations. Even in supposedly negative situations, I want to be able to deal with things in a relaxed manner and always get the most productive results!
Thank you for your 25 years of commitment and for sharing it with us, Joachim!
