Bonding - More than materials | Herrmann Ultraschall

Thomas Herrmann and son Hans-Peter while visiting Shizhen Cheng in Taicang, Apr. 2019. Daughter Sabrina with Thomas Herrmann and Sohei Fukai on customer visits in Japan, Oct. 2017. Thomas and Astrid Herrmann with Uwe Peregi in Mi- ami, March 2019. to grow. An important point was the development of the WHY and the basic values – an absolute milestone. In China also, our Herrmann culture journey is an important tool for be- coming the best on the market. Sohei Fukai, Japan: I was in Germany for the first time in 2006, during the soccer World Cup. I initially spent nine years as a distributor in Japan, before Thomas Herrmann and I then opened an official headquarters to - gether in 2015. How have you influenced these chang - es? What are you proud of? Uwe Peregi, USA: After many years of growth, our figures suddenly stagnat - ed, and I felt personally responsible for changing this. With the support of Thomas Herrmann, we initiated the global integration of business units and management groups that support the culture of our WHY: “BONDING – MORE THAN MATERIALS .” This realignment led to an annual growth of over 25% in 2018 and 2020. Shizhen Cheng, China: Above all, I am proud that I was able to con- vey our WHY and our values to my Chinese team, even if the development of a common worldwide culture took time. A success we have achieved in China: making the Herrmann brand a synonym of the highest quality in ul - trasonic welding technology through- out China. Sohei Fukai, Japan: Since the estab- lishment of the Herrmann Japan campus, we in Japan have felt much closer to the global Herrmann family. The growth helps us become more confident. Culture shock or not, what are the biggest differences between you? Sohei Fukai, Japan: I would like to compare us to a family. To me, the American branch is the reliable, oldest son who shows the younger brothers how things work. The second-oldest son, China, is active, lively, and very successful. This is very motivating. We in Japan are the youngest son, who still so precise. The Chinese, in contrast, are aggressive, but in a positive way, influential, and not always modest. What advantages are there from having the Herrmann locations in the USA, China, and Japan? Shizhen Cheng, China: We can react more quickly to inquiries, the costs are lower, and spare parts are available more quickly. All of this together im - proves our competitiveness in China. Sohei Fukai, Japan: Japan has its very own business culture; many do not speak English. We need local experts; otherwise, it is difficult to get into the market at all. Uwe Peregi, USA: The North Ameri - can market demands very short reac- tion times for machines and tools. In our modern local tool design, com- bined with our advanced laboratories, we can produce solutions quickly and thus demonstrate our technological leadership. What does a typical working day for you look like and what differences are there to Germany? Sohei Fukai, Japan: The working times in Germany are disciplined and the people respect the time planning of others. We can learn from this. Uwe Peregi, USA: The business cul - ture in America places great impor- tance on customer satisfaction and the customer experience. This requires personal meetings, which leads to fre- quent last-minute plane trips. We put the needs of our customers first, be it in a line-down situation or simply in explaining our ultrasonic solutions. It can get a bit hectic, as you do not “WHEN I VISIT GERMANY, IT FEELS LIKE I AM COMING TO A LARGE FAMILY GATHERING – WE ARE ALL PLEASED TO SEE EACH OTHER.” UWE PEREGI needs the most support. The success of the other brothers spurs us on. Shizhen Cheng, China: We differ in size and, of course, in our different cultures, which does not exactly make the establishment of a joint corporate culture easy. Uwe Peregi, USA: Japan is the “new kid on the block” and is trying to es- tablish itself in a particularly difficult market. China has a special success story with the large global companies in China. In America, we have had a well-established customer base for many years. The customers know that they are buying a premium product and expect an outstanding service. The “above and beyond” customer service is typical and deeply rooted in American culture. And the difference to the headquar - ters in Germany? Uwe Peregi, USA: The profession - al training in Germany leads to a proactive hands-on mentality. The colleagues are curious and skilled, with an urge for excellence. The long times spent at the company lead to a family-like working culture that I look forward to on my visits (laughs). In North America, people change jobs more frequently, with a standard notice period of two weeks. Herrmann Ultrasonics is an attractive employer, and in many cases we succeed in retaining employees for a long time. Don Kuechler celebrates 30 years at the company in 2021. Shizhen Cheng, China: The colleagues in Germany are reliable, always stick to the rules, and are very organized. In Japan, for example, they tend to be cautious, stick to the principles, and are creative. We in China are eager, considerate of people, and sometimes also a bit chaotic (laughs). Sohei Fukai, Japan: In Germany, the colleagues respect their principles, are able to cope under pressure, well-structured, and therefore not always so flexible. The American colleagues are quickly enthused, friendly, and sometimes not always know what awaits you. To me, the working day in Germany seems better organized and more struc- tured. The independent, well-trained customer there allows a much more systematic process. The main mode of transportation is the freeway, often without a speed limit! Shizhen Cheng, China: The people in Germany do everything step by step and are so efficient in that respect. In contrast, the Chinese work quickly, mostly spontaneously, and more intui- tively than systematically. When you come to Karlsbad, what do you look forward to the most? Uwe Peregi, USA: I look forward to the camaraderie with the colleagues. When I visit Germany, it feels like I am coming to a large family gathering – we are all pleased to see each other. Shizhen Cheng, China: The col - leagues in Karlsbad are always very friendly and have time for a nice, informative chat. Sohei Fukai, Japan: I always look forward to meeting as many colleagues as possible, gladly also with a glass of wheat beer, if possible. And to enjoy a little walk in the fresh air of the Black Forest. A final word on German food? Uwe Peregi, USA: My favorite beer is not available in America. So when I travel to Germany, my first meal is typically a schnitzel with a crystal wheat beer. Shizhen Cheng, China: My Chinese colleagues think I already drink as much beer as a German (laughs). Sohei Fukai, Japan: Unfortunately, my German isn’t that good. However, when I meet someone for the first time and then say “Fleischkäse mit Senf” (meat loaf with mustard), the ice is broken very quickly (laughs slyly). “SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HERRMANN JAPAN CAMPUS, WE IN JAPAN HAVE FELT MUCH CLOSER TO THE GLOBAL HERRMANN FAMILY.” SOHEI FUKAI 17 16