We have provided metallurgic solutions made from iron and aluminum for more than 90 years, and we are still in our original location in the town of Kitzingen. Most of our clients are in the automotive, aviation, and small appliances sectors, but we work with everybody.
We believe that the best solutions are found cooperatively, by looking at an issue from every angle and devising a comprehensive plan. This is how we like to work with our clients, suppliers and employees.
Any company, Franken Guss included, is like an expedition. You only reach the destination when everybody works together towards that goal, contributing their strengths, their knowledge and expertise fully. Furthermore, expeditions never know what might happen along the way. Every action bears risks and you keep having to overcome challenges. To accomplish all of this, everybody involved has to participate and cooperate. Along the way, we rely on our values that have served us well throughout. On the outside, our expertise, service, innovativeness, and flexibility guide how we interact with our clients and business partners. On the inside, our interactions with each other are defined by respect, trust, integrity, and responsibility. Any way you look at it: cooperation is key.
Since we are constantly faced with new developments and challenges and dealing with the unknown, openness and flexibility are a reality here, not just a catch phrase. It helps that we are a privately owned family company with few hierarchies, short distances and a relaxed atmosphere. We all know each other and are willing to listen and learn from each other. Our general manager Josef Ramthun lives those values every day. He is always approachable and his door is always open.
Ramthun’s motto is “Employees over Profits.” What this means is that taking care of our employees is our number one priority. Of course, as a company, we also have to be profitable. But our emphasis on treating our staff right is palpable throughout the organization. One of our traditions is an annual Christmas celebration where our staff enjoys hot, mulled wine and bratwursts and receives Christmas trees to take home. Our emphasis on employee relations ultimately helps our clients as well. Only when every member of our organization feels valued and appreciated can we provide excellent products and services.
The “Franken Guss Expedition” relies on investing in our human resources. We realize that we need to be flexible, continually educate ourselves, and develop new strategies, in order to stay competitive and profitable. Investing in our employees equals investing in our future.
We strive to develop personal responsibility in our employees and to prepare them for future challenges. Our corporate culture is one that values and welcomes every individual that joins our team. We select new hires based on their technical skills, leadership qualities, as well as market and customer service needs. We actively create social networks, promote diversity and equality. A key issue for us is to keep up with digitalization. We value in-house training and also proudly offer flexible work schedules, continuing education opportunities, talent development, as well as newly designed break rooms. Just as important to us are family-friendly programs, health days and gym memberships.
It is not uncommon for interns who start out by doing grunt work in our shop to eventually move up into central leadership positions. We like to offer every employee personalized opportunities.