You take incoming calls and pass them on to colleagues, send documents or spare parts, ensure that warranty cases are processed quickly and use all of your experience and manual skills to ensure that every part of a mould meets our well-known quality standards. If Otto Hofstetter AG couldn’t fully rely on these employees every day, the company simply would not have become one of the world’s leading manufacturers of moulds for the production of PET preforms and plastic packaging today.
Inform is launching a new series profiling these important employees who day in and day out reliably contribute to the company’s success quietly in the background. The portrayed colleagues reveal their favourite place in the Uznach area, explain why it’s so special and otherwise let us be a part of their lives.
When does a customer come into contact with you?
In most cases, it’s when he or she calls us. I can answer some questions directly for the customer; others I forward internally to a colleague. In the case of customers who have not yet been assigned a contact person or who no longer have their name present, I enquire about their needs and help them out as much as possible. This means that many customers and business partners know my voice, but have no picture of me.
Your official title at Otto Hofstetter AG is receptionist. What does this work include?
My workplace is the reception desk, where I can usually be found. However, my area of responsibility consists of a diverse mix. Processing the mail as well as maintaining, checking, accounting for and recording invoices, processing warranty cases, archiving contracts and compiling and sending mailings such as our customer magazine Inform, for example. I also look after the apprentices during their time at reception, a task based on trust that I was very happy to take on.
Andrea Ochsner
Andrea Ochsner has been with Otto Hofstetter AG for five years. Her official title is receptionist. In addition to her professional commitment, she is the mother of two adult children, has a loving partner and does a lot of sports in and with nature.
What roles do you have outside of your job?
On the one hand, I’m the mother of two children. Since my daughter and son are grown and are leaving home, of my role as mother is currently being redefined. A difficult and sometimes painful process, but with the certainty that I will continue to play a major role in my children’s lives. In addition, the changes give me more freedom for my other two roles: life partner and athlete.
What kind of sports do you do?
I currently spend a lot of time kitesurfing. My partner encouraged me to take this up a few years ago and it has since become my passion. In winter, I snowboarded almost every weekend. That has now decreased somewhat, since kitesurfing is possible in warmer areas even in winter. Basically I’m someone who wants to move. Sitting around and doing nothing is not my thing.
You selected the Richterswiler Horn for the interview. Why is this place special for you?
Water is my absolute favourite element, and not just for surfing on it. Even as a child, I was a water lover. Our neighbours had a swimming pool where I could be found every day for hours. Later we had a boat and we were out on the lake as often as possible. That’s why water is central to me when it comes to choosing my favourite place. I only recently discovered the charm of Richterswil’s Horn. I stopped here by chance and immediately got excited. The atmosphere of this small park on the water is unique.
Why are you so fascinated by water?
Being on or in the water is the greatest thing for me. No matter whether it’s a lake or sea. For many years I enjoyed the privilege of living with a view of the lake. It’s fantastic to see the mood change on the water almost by the minute. Depending on the sun, the clouds or the wind, the colour of the water changes and with it the whole landscape around it. The colours of the sea are just as appealing. It can range from the lightest azure blue to almost black.
You say you like to be in the water. What effect does it have on you?
I just find it very pleasant. I enjoy lying in the water and drifting. It feels like I’m being gently carried by the water in the truest sense of the word. There is a feeling of comfort and security. This is probably the reason why I like to swim a lot and often, with the positive side effect of increasing my stamina at the same time.
The wind plays an important role in kitesurfing. Does it also have a special meaning?
With kitesurfing, I had a lot of respect for the wind at the beginning. Depending on its strength, wind can deliver a concentrated charge of energy. And I respect that. During the preparations, I feel a little tense. But once I’m on the water, endless enthusiasm replaces the initial uncertainty. Compared to earlier, I notice that the respect is growing and, for example, I’m not constantly looking for bigger waves or higher speeds. But it should always remain a challenge. Otherwise it would be boring. And I dread that.
It sounds like you keep trying to redefine your limits. Is that true?
That’s always been the case, and now with kitesurfing too. I made my first attempts a good four years ago. Now I am going to Holland or Denmark in a camper with my partner, always looking for new surfing spots. I no longer spend winter holidays in the snow, but in warmer climes on the water. The conditions are always new and therefore it’ always a challenge.
You speak of respect for wind and waves. How important is security to you?
I feel like I know my limits. When it comes to kitesurfing, I remain realistic and ready to admit to myself that I’ll stop if the wind is too strong or the waves are too high. When I think back, security and, above all, a sense of responsibility, took on new a meaning on the day my daughter was born, a feeling that now changes with the years.
Switzerland is considered a safe country. Could you imagine living somewhere else?
Compared to many other countries, it seems to me that we are very privileged here in Switzerland. Still, I could well imagine setting up my tent somewhere else. Water, wind and waves would certainly be a strong argument for doing that. But at the moment it doesn’t look like this will be an issue anytime soon. And until then I’ll be enjoying the many advantages that Switzerland and the region of Lake Zurich have to offer.
You consider it important to be challenged. To what extent does this apply to your work at Otto Hofstetter AG?
What I do, I do correctly. This applies to both my private and my professional life. At the same time, it is important to me to resolve an issue in a way that suits everyone. I also like to stand up for others when the situation demands it. For example, when a customer urgently needs information but cannot reach his contact person. It can happen that I burst into a meeting and put the colleague on the phone with the customer. Basically, I prefer when a lot is going on. Routine and passivity are not for me. I want to be challenged.
What does it mean to you to work at Otto Hofstetter AG?
I consider it a privilege. My work is valued and I feel respected as a person. I also suspect that my superiors trust me, which in turn makes me feel good. In addition, Otto Hofstetter AG enjoys an excellent reputation among its customers. That motivates me to do my part to ensure that all visitors feel welcome from the very first moment.
There are now over 200 employees in Uznach. Do you feel the same as the people who visit you?
Absolutely. At the reception I am of course a bit away from the business and am not in the picture about every detail. I can make up for this shortcoming during the morning round delivering post. I think communication with each other also works very well and we really support each other. In Sascha Bigler, I have a direct superior who is very open and who takes time for us.
Where do you see the strengths of Otto Hofstetter AG?
It works collaboratively from the first to the last moment in the project. Everyone works together for the best result for the customer. For me, this has a lot to do with motivation, communication, tolerance and respect, and it doesn’t just stop after a tool has been delivered. We are always there for our customers when they need us.
What wish do you have in connection with your job?
To be challenged: new tasks, new people. As little routine as possible and rather more than less work. I want to learn new things and expand my horizons. I see this as an opportunity for myself to grow personally and to keep improving. There is hardly a challenge that I reject from the outset.
