Employers Brochure (PDF, 2410 KB) - Pfleiderer AG

PeoPle with big ideas
need lots of oPPortunities!

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Discover the world of Pfleiderer! Marvel at its vastness and product versatility.
Find out more about the technological challenges posed by our production processes,
through our booklet “The World of Pfleiderer“.
Pfleiderer – a world
rich in oPPortunities

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Pfleiderer ag:
a global Player with a leading role
Pfleiderer AG is a leading international supplier of wood-based materials, surface-finished
products and laminate flooring. As an international player, Pfleiderer offers established
brand products as well as extensive after sale and customer services and is a highly
valued partner of the furniture industry, specialist and home improvement stores and the
interior design sector.
Pfleiderer unites the size benefits of a global player with the efficiency and flexibility of
decentralized management responsibilities. The company currently employs a workforce of
approx. 6,000 people at 22 factories in Germany, Canada, USA, Sweden, Poland and Russia.
By expanding its international base and extending its performance profile to include new,
high-margin products, Pfleiderer AG is set to continue its profit-oriented growth. For people
who wish to grow with Pfleiderer and share its success, the group offers interesting openings
and optimum career opportunities.
a word of welcome!
Our factories and patents are worth several million Euro. However, our most valuable
asset are our employees. It is, after all, to their expertise and innovative spirit, creativity
and enthusiasm that Pfleiderer today owes its pole position as one of the world’s leading
manufacturers of wood-based materials.
To secure that cutting edge in the future as well, we are always looking for competent,
keen employees. The success of our company depends on attracting the most varied
talents under one roof – from engineers and marketing professionals to business lawyers.
And, just as we invest in new technologies and factories, so too, of course, do we support
our employees. Their development and further training are of major concern to us, as will
become clear as you read on. See for yourself.
Yours, Hans H. Overdiek
Hans H. Overdiek, CEO of Pfleiderer AG

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Deutsche Börse AG
industrial tradition,
innovation,
international flair
The development of Pfleiderer AG – from its origins
as a small timber-rafting business to a successful group of international stature
Founded in 1894 as a timber rafting business in Heilbronn, at the beginning of the 20th
century, Pfleiderer begins to invest in the industrial production of wood products.
Pfleiderer starts out by manufacturing railway sleepers and poles, first in wood, later in
concrete. Particle board production is added in 1962. At the end of the Seventies, the
company starts to expand in Germany and then shortly after, internationally.
In July 1997 Pfleiderer goes public. At that time the group enjoys an extremely broad
base with such varied business sectors as wood-based materials, traffic and construction
systems, plastics, consultancy and forwarding. By concentrating over the following years
on the manufacture of wood-based materials and extending its market and competitive
position in this sector, new business opportunities emerge on an international scale.
In 2005 Pfleiderer AG acquires its competitor, Kunz. With its takeover of Uniboard, the
company also launches into the laminate flooring business in North America. In Europe,
Pfleiderer taps this highly promising market segment two years later through its acquisition
of the Swedish manufacturer, Pergo.
By building new factories in Russia and Poland Pfleiderer has been strengthening its
presence in the eastern European markets since 2006.

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oPenings for fully-rounded Personalities!
We are looking for committed people with strong personalities who are interested
in shaping the future of Pfleiderer with us.
What we can offer you:
the opportunity to assume responsibility at an early stage
an optimum environment for an entrepreneurial mindset and
personal initiative
a dynamic, motivating work climate and dependability
ongoing “training on the job“ and additional training opportunities
the right mix of industrial tradition and innovation
an international environment
Your credentials:
varied experience and good references in
your discipline
the willingness to learn on an ongoing basis
and extend your own personal horizons
an independent, target-oriented work ethic
the ability to work in a team and
communicate effectively
motivation and personal initiative

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entry oPPortunities
From high-school to university graduates and professionals: At Pfleiderer AG
we offer suitable openings at every rung on the career ladder.
Graduates
Pfleiderer offers several options for young people leaving school who wish to start work
right away and learn a trade – both in the commercial and technical sectors.
On the basis of project work and diverse further qualification options, we convey far more
to high-school graduates than just the necessary specialist know-how in order to equip
them optimally for the challenges of working life.
Students
With us, students are given an opportunity to acquire some initial practical experience:
in an international arena, in a technologically innovative company with modern management
methods. At all our locations, we offer practical training and support students in their Bachelor,
“Diplom”-degree and Master courses. Workshops such as “Talents meet Pfleiderer“ not only
give students a chance to get to know us but also to identify and extend their own personal
strengths and development areas.
For current information on
entry options at Pfleiderer
please visit our Internet
website: www.pfleiderer.com
under “Jobs & Careers“.
Internal Junior Consulting Program: Our 18-month trainee program acquaints university graduates
with practical aspects in a targeted manner. Close contact to our management executives
through to board level allow trainees to observe and learn. New recruits are actively involved in
day-to-day business and gradually assume responsibility in the processing of various tasks.
We promote further personal and methodical development through qualification measures based
on seminars and workshops. Our experienced managerial executives are also on hand to act as
mentors to the trainees. In person-to-person talks they supply feedback and encourage personal
development based on an exchange of ideas and strategically aimed advice.
You already have job experience and are looking for new challenges? With us you can make
good use of your extensive knowledge and new ideas! Taking into account your personal
interests and skills, we give you the opportunity to extend your knowledge and pursue your
career goals.
University graduates
Professionals

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PeoPle at Pfleiderer
What was your first impression of Pfleiderer?
What I saw of the company in the Assessment Centre I liked a lot:
The AC modules were professional, the employees friendly and the
atmosphere was pleasantly relaxed.
In the meantime you know the company very well. In your opinion what
distinguishes Pfleiderer from other employers?
I was strongly impressed right from the start by the amount of time the
management takes for trainees. That can by no means be taken for
granted in a large company like Pfleiderer. Speaking from personal
experience, I can also confirm that you get a chance early on to
advance your career.
From your point of view, what features characterise Pfleiderer
in particular?
Its dynamism and flexibility. You don’t hear anything along the lines of
“We’ve always done it this way” on anybody’s lips here. Another thing I
appreciate: People keep their promises.
Ulrike Hilger joined the company
in 2003 as financial and
accounts manager of Pfleiderer
Holzwerkstoffe GmbH & Co. KG.
She has been Managing Director
of the business units wodego and
Industry since April 2008.
Jan Imbusch has been working at
Pfleiderer since 2006. He started
out as a trainee in the purchasing
department of the Western Europe
Business Center and is now employed
in the group-wide central
purchasing department in Switzerland.
As material group manager,
he is responsible at international
level for large-scale investments in
new factories and modifications.
What do you like about Pfleiderer?
What I particularly appreciate about Pfleiderer are the people who
are exceptionally open and businesslike both in their manner and
way of thinking.
Do new experiences come your way at Pfleiderer?
Of course! Everyday, for instance, when I experience how enriching
teamwork can be when everyone is working towards a common goal.
To whom in particular would you recommend Pfleiderer as an employer?
Really everyone who wants a career in an international context.
Above all, though, I would recommend Pfleiderer to talented applicants
who soon want to take on responsibility.
What makes working at Pfleiderer so special?
Firstly, the most trusted personal contribution to strategic planning
and execution we give in making the company’s vision a reality.
Secondly, it advocates a culture of international colleagues’
networking activities. And finally, the constantly new rewarding
challenges we cope with.
Why would you recommend Pfleiderer?
Because of the history behind this company: I believe that an entrepreneurial
spirit of a down-to-earth, although great past is still in
place to guide people through sound management practices.
Pawel Wyrzykowski has been
employed by the Pfleiderer Group in
Eastern Europe since 1998. From 2003
to 2008 he was CEO of Pfleiderer
Grajewo S.A., Poland before being
appointed as member of the Executive
Board of Pfleiderer AG responsible for
Sales, Marketing and Product Strategy.
Why did you opt for Pergo?
It’s quite simple: I intentionally chose a company with a large international
growth potential and a highly attractive product portfolio. Both of which
have multiplied through the company’s integration in the Pfleiderer Group.
How, in your opinion, does Pfleiderer differ from other companies?
Although the group is very large it is by no means anonymous. I am
constantly impressed by how well communication and cooperation works
between the various business sectors.
What would you recommend to young colleagues?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek out someone who can coach
you and share their experience with you. At Pfleiderer the prospects for
doing so are ideal.
Donel Galipeau
has been working for
Uniboard since 1982.
The company
is a member of the
Pfleiderer Group
since 2005. As Vice President he is head
of wood resources in North America.
Your reasons in favour of Pfleiderer?
After my degree in economics I worked for a bank for seven years.
When Pfleiderer offered me the post of financial director of the Eastern
Europe Business Center, I didn’t think twice about accepting it. The
company impressed me by its immense growth potential in Eastern
Europe and the best prospects for my personal development.
What do you like especially about Pfleiderer?
I like how decisions are made at Pfleiderer, jointly and comprehensibly.
The company’s commercial and strategic aims underpin the work of every
single person.
What do you recommend to prospective employees?
I would recommend them never to judge potential employers on basis of shortterm
situations and impressions – regardless of whether they are of a positive
or negative nature. Especially in the case of companies like Pfleiderer AG that
are active in somewhat conservative markets, it is particularly important to take
a look at what they have achieved in the long term.
Patricio Villarroel has worked for
Pergo, Sweden since 1995. It has
belonged to the Pfleiderer Group since
2007. He is responsible there for the
Operations sector in the Flooring
Europe Business Center management.

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living
our values
Optimum development opportunities, direct communication and the ability
to make decisions quickly characterise cooperation at Pfleiderer. As a new
recruit to the company you will assume responsibility from day one and
onwards and enjoy our full support in doing so. You will also notice that
at Pfleiderer we live our values: innovation, trust, performance, a sense of
responsibility and identification.
We stand for
a Culture of
Leader ship based
on Partnership
We treat our staff with respect and
lead by personal example.
Senior management and staff see
each other as partners, prepared to
place demands on each other and
provide mutual support. Acting as
partners is in the common interest
of the Company. Our self-confidence
is based on our performance and
our readiness to learn. Success
provides us with confirmation and
gives us strength. Mistakes are an
incentive to improve. Being able to
criticize and accept criticism are
major leadership skills. We discuss
openly and argue respectfully in order
to achieve optimum results.
We are Creating
Organizational
Structures Suited
to our Goals
We are creating clear structures, with
clear lines of responsibility for senior
managers and staff. Shorter, more
transparent decision paths speed up our
operating processes. In order to make
our processes more efficient, we are
reducing unnecessary complexity and
constantly optimizing commercial and
working procedures. The productive
and constructive in-house cooperation
secures the efficiency of our processes.
We set out in writing how we wish to implement these values at Pfleiderer.
Our “Guidelines for Leadership and Cooperation“ reflect our day-to-day interaction
with one another. They are the unfaltering guiding light by which we
conduct our business.
We promote
Performance,
Entrepreneurial
Thinking
and Trust
We are strengthening the performance
of our senior managers and staff by
carefully developing their competences
and careers within the Company. This
ensures a sense of commitment to the
Company and greater self-confidence.
We support entrepreneurial thinking
by delegating goals and responsibility.
The achievement of commonly agreed
on team targets and individual goals are
rewarded. This is how we are creating
a climate of performance, participation
and trust. Performance pays at
Pfleiderer. Working together in a spirit
of cooperation is essential if the
Company is to succeed. This atmosphere
of mutual respect is also the basis with
which we deal with staff representatives.
We are Reliable
and are Judged by
What We Say
We communicate fully, clearly and in
good time. We stand by what we say and
by our commitments, and are judged
by our actions. Open communication
based on mutual respect ensures that
we remain predictable and creates
certainty and orientation in our working
environment. We work in a serviceoriented
manner in the interest of both
customers and business associates alike.
We are
a Responsible
Company
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We stand by our key values - innovation,
trust, performance, responsibility
and identification. We pass on this
enthusiasm to our staff, creating the
foundations for economic success
that will ensure the Company
continues to increase in value. We
act in the interests of those supplying
us with capital and with a sense of
responsibility for our staff and business
associates, as well as towards the
environment, the state and society
as a whole. We act responsibly with
the assets entrusted to us by our
suppliers of capital. We respect those
ideas that have proved themselves
and connect them to innovation. In
doing so, we are continually expanding
our strengths.

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living uP to our resPonsibilities
We take our responsibilities very seriously. We invest in the welfare of our employees
by promoting their good health in the long-term. At Pfleiderer it goes without saying
that workplaces are both health and safety-compliant. Our spectrum of company sports
activities is constantly being extended. And our commitment doesn’t stop at the factory
gate, either.
We are deeply rooted in the local communities of our factories, supporting social institutions,
cultural initiatives and charitable events. Diverse social projects form an established
component in the training of our young colleagues and new management recruits.
We offer young people opportunities to acquire professional qualifications that exceed
by far the statutory norm. We received an award for offering people with disabilities
apprenticeships and jobs.
Impressed?
Or would you like more details of the World
of Pfleiderer? If so, get in touch!
We look forward to hearing from you.
As environmental awareness forms a further important element of our philosophy, we
have defined an appropriate corporate policy. By, for instance only using wood from sustainably
managed forests and recycling, we afford an important contribution to saving resources.
We have also initiated certification of the entire group to the international environment
standard ISO 14001. The standard demands an ongoing improvement process in terms of
environmental performance – a goal to which we are keenly and successfully committed.

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Pfleiderer AG
Human Resources
Ingolstädter Straße 51
92318 Neumarkt
Germany
Tel.: +49 9181 28-8072
Fax: +49 9181 28-524
www.pfleiderer.com

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Pfleiderer AG
Human Resources
Ingolstädter Straße 51
92318 Neumarkt
Germany
www.pfleiderer.com