Both have worked at Bischof+Klein for over four decades and have actively helped to shape the development of Bischof+Klein Konzell: Willi Niermeier was the first trainee back in 1979 – one year before the official start of training at Bischof+Klein Konzell. Ilse Baumgartner joined the company as a switchboard operator in 1982 and retired as head of the HR department. In this interview, they tell us exactly what happened.

How did you arrive at Bischof+Klein 

Ilse Baumgartner: I had applied for a full-time job in the telephone, fax, and telex exchange. I was promptly accepted after the interview. 
Willi Niermeier: I actually wanted to do an apprenticeship in metal processing at a company called Obermeier. Unfortunately, Obermeier didn’t take on any trainees in 1979. My father was working at Bischof+Klein at the time and asked the plant manager whether the company could take me on as an apprentice. Bischof+Klein had actually intended to start training a year later, but Mr. Schmalz enabled me to join the company in 1979.

Can you still remember your first few days? 

Willi Niermeier: The first day, I travelled to work with my father. He took me to Michael Maurer in the locksmith’s shop. I’m still in touch with my old colleagues although they have already retired.
Ilse Baumgartner: I remember it as if it were yesterday. I like to think of the extremely friendly reception I received. I can particularly remember the plant manager at that time, Karl-Heinz Schmalz.

Which tasks were you mindful of? 

Ilse Baumgartner: I was mindful of a lot of them, but particularly of the telex with its punched tape that you had to insert to transfer data from machine to machine. This punched tape fascinated me, and I asked myself every day how something like that could possibly work.
Willi Niermeier: I was and always am mindful of tasks, but I never shied away from anything and usually managed to complete everything successfully.

Mrs. Baumgartner, what were your tasks? 

Ilse Baumgartner: My job was to receive and transfer calls, operate the fax machine and the telex machine, undertake preparatory work for production planning, typing, and filing work, send packages and mail, and stand in for the head secretary at that time.

Mr. Niermeier, which vocational school did you attend?

Willi Niermeier: I first went to the vocational school in Straubing with the metalworkers. At that time, there was a class for packaging engineers. From 1980/81, I attended the vocational school in Lindau (Lake Constance).

Mrs. Baumgartner, you started work at Bischof+Klein in the telephone exchange, subsequently worked as a secretary, went on to become head of the HR department, and were also the deputy chair of the works council for many years. What did you initially train as?

Ilse Baumgartner: I first completed my training as a commercial clerk. I always felt that I had to prove myself and desperately wanted to meet each and every requirement.

How did you gain further qualifications?

Ilse Baumgartner: After switching to the commercial manager's office, I gradually took over commercial training alongside my secretarial work. I qualified for that with the trainer aptitude test. After being elected deputy chair of the works council (which I was for 22 years), I took part in numerous labor law training courses.

What has particularly stuck in your mind about Konzell’s development?

Willi Niermeier: As I was always open to everything, I worked in various departments. As a result, I still have a very good relationship with a lot of colleagues in other departments. I was also involved in the works council and the works committee for over three decades.
Ilse Baumgartner: I remember the continuous growth. The high number of staff recruited in 2008 and 2009 when every other company was shedding jobs. Being the only woman at Bischof+Klein Konzell to have been given power of attorney.

If you had to describe your work in one word, what would you say? 

Ilse Baumgartner: In my view, tenacity and faith in your own abilities are absolutely crucial to being successful.
Willi Niermeier: I’d say “Labor-intensive.”

What would you like to pass on to new employees?

Willi Niermeier: Don't give up right away if you run into problems, but simply keep going. It pays off in the vast majority of cases. Helpfulness and friendliness have to be a given for everyone.​​​​​​​
Ilse Baumgartner: Passion, self-confidence, dedication, stamina and trust.