From Germany to Tunisia and back: André Klosterhalfen
Experience abroad in Tunisia
André Klosterhalfen's path to the Coroplast Group was a classic one: after completing his Bachelor of Engineering at the Technical College of Cologne, with a major in production technology, he transitioned seamlessly into practical working life – starting out as a junior project manager in our WeWire division.
Today, more than seven years later, André Klosterhalfen is responsible for WeWire's production relocation projects as "Operations Project Manager". Together with his teams, the 30-year-old coordinates planning and implementation between the respective plants and their departments. He also keeps an eye on budgets and costs, and ultimately manages the implementation of production.
From March to September 2023, André Klosterhalfen was tasked with supporting the preliminary projects with the production ramp-ups and their stabilization at the Tunisian sites in Hammamet and Enfidha – a major project that began for him in 2021. And so, he set up his base in Tunisia for six months: "I wanted to change my perspective from the German office to the local production environment," says the project manager. "It's simply different when you can see the challenges and conditions on site with your own eyes and work on them first hand."
To get a real understanding of WeWire's products and processes, you also have to be involved in production.
Still close to the family
After working his way up from Junior Project Manager to Project Manager to Operations Project Manager, the assignment abroad was another chance for André to expand his expertise: "It was a great opportunity to gain new experiences and especially experience abroad" – even if he first had to weigh the pros and cons, as a family man.
But where there's a will, there's a way: and so WeWire ensured that André’s family could visit him on site; at the same time, he was able to commute between Germany and Tunisia every two weeks to spend the weekends with his wife and his then 18-month-old daughter.
On board: plenty of experience
For André Klosterhalfen, his time in Tunisia was more than worthwhile: "You gain a real understanding of the local conditions. You understand and appreciate them better than when you're at home in an air-conditioned office looking at Excel spreadsheets." Another experience he was able to take back to Germany: the commitment and high level of motivation of the teams in Hammamet and Enfidha, who actively supported him every step of the way.
Both at his workplace in Wuppertal and in Tunisia, André Klosterhalfen particularly appreciates the freedom he has at work: "You can simply decide a lot yourself. Of course, there is a certain framework, but within this framework I can move freely and contribute my own ideas".
And speaking of home: in addition to his family and his Swiss mountain dog Xena, André Klosterhalfen's private life revolves around motorcycling and swimming – he owns a Suzuki Bandit 1200 and Honda Dax 125; and alongside his studies, he earned his living as a lifeguard. Fortunately, he ultimately decided on a different career path and brings his skills to WeWire every day.
WeWire in one word
If André Klosterhalfen had to describe his work at WeWire in one word, his answer would be: "Team – we at WeWire are really tight-knit, on an equal footing, and we all pull together."
