In 2023, we already visited KOB in Wolfstein once with the Leadership Connect program and the meeting was so successful that KOB agreed again this year to give the participants an insight into the individual production steps, their management tasks and current topics, such as employee retention, as part of the program.

During the tour of the fully integrated production facility, the participants not only gained an insight into the individual textile production steps of the pads and fabrics manufactured at KOB, but also into shop floor management. In concrete terms, this means that the managers manage and control the processes on site. Communication with employees, the empowerment and motivation of employees for continuous improvement as well as the visualization of key figures and problem solving are part of this management system. Employees thus become problem solvers and develop into multipliers who pass on their knowledge.

At the meetings last year and again this year, it became clear that the personnel challenges are often the same regardless of the sector: A shortage of skilled workers, a lack of motivation for shift work, especially night shift work, generational change and, as a result, a different perception of working life among younger people compared to the older generation. In addition, employee retention seems to be an ongoing issue for both USAFE and KOB. Some solutions are available and were also discussed, such as offering employees various forms of benefits, bonuses for night shift work and more time off. However, further options need to be kept open in order to express appreciation for the employees. A further measure at KOB for some years now has been the recruitment of textile specialists from abroad. Experience has shown that the new employees feel at home in the region and settle down.

Interesting to see was the Hoshin room, which is modeled after the Hoshin Kanri method - a lean management method that aims to increase productivity in a company by defining goals and priorities and then implementing them by each department and the employees.

We look forward to our next visit to KOB and to experiencing the further development live!