Employee Story Dietrich Wagner – foreman in Pipe Construction

Dietrich Wagner – foreman in Pipe Construction Digitalisation in the workplace is a high priority in the company.

I have been employed in the production at RIPPERT since 2003 and am now foreman in Pipe Construction. It all started with my apprenticeship as a construction mechanic. Back then I was the only one in my year; nowadays there are three or four apprentices every year who train as construction mechanics. What I liked a lot in my apprenticeship was the practical experience. Anyway it was never boring. Following the successful completion of my apprenticeship my career continued at RIPPERT in Pipe Construction. Actually, I was only supposed to help out in the department, but then it turned into something long-term. I liked the work area from the very start. In 2011 I became deputy head of the department and have now been head of the department since 2019.

Employee Story Digitalisation in the workplace is a high priority in the company. Employee Story From discussions with many young people, I have found out that the work/life balance is very important to them. That’s why they’re in good hands at RIPPERT: here they have appealing and varied jobs and can pursue their career and personal goals in life.

What I like about Pipe Construction is that the work area has a lot to do with detailed planning, for instance in material procurement or communication with project managers or warehouse operatives. A lot of the work revolves around delivery dates and numbers of items, as well as large quantities of data and information that have to be kept up to date on a daily basis. My activities are correspondingly varied. Sometimes we process thick, welded transport pipes, other times thin galvanised sheet metal. The range of components to be processed is large. For example, we manufacture exhaust air heads, branch pipes, cones, pipe silencers, welded transport pipes, cyclones, pneumatic valves, non-return flaps and much more. Many projects are different and require individual solutions. Great importance is attached to teamwork. I normally work together with eight or nine colleagues. These are regularly supplemented by apprentices that pass through our manufacturing area. The work environment is dynamic. RIPPERT has grown in the past years, as can be seen by the product range and the numbers of items produced. Digitisation has grown in importance in the company. Although we still cannot quite do without paper, our work processes are no longer imaginable without scanners and computers. When I think back just a couple of years, a whole lot has happened. We work here in a young team with a good working atmosphere. At the same time, we can count on the experience of older employees. An outstanding mix! I very much appreciate the working time model at RIPPERT, as I can reconcile the requirements of the job well with leisure and family. The good cooperation in the company is very important to me. That’s why I stand up for the interests of the workforce as a member of the works council.

From discussions with many young people, I have found out that the work/life balance is very important to them. That’s why they’re in good hands at RIPPERT: here they have appealing and varied jobs and can pursue their career and personal goals in life.

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