Interview with Hans-Hermann Rade
21.10.2009
Mr. Rade, we would like to learn more about you and your work. Since when do you work for Borgwaldt KC and what have you done before?
I joined Borgwaldt KC in 1996. Before, I was working as an electrician in the marine engineering. After some time as paratrooper, I did further training to a technician and graduate in technical and business administration. Having worked as well as an operator in the production of semiconductors, I was studying four terms of electrical engineering.
Was this the first time you were in contact with the tobacco industry?
No, my wife was already working for Borgwaldt Flavor.
Please describe your job – what are the greatest challenges for you?
My three colleagues and I primarily inspect the quality of the produced equipment to be delivered. The biggest challenge for me is to create a quality that is economical and converged to the associations of our customers.
How does a normal working day in the Quality Assurance Department of Borgwaldt KC look like?
Every morning, in cooperation with the Production and Sales Department, we determine the order of the instruments to be controlled. Basic controls will already be realized by experienced colleagues during the production process. Parallel to the quality control, documentation will be completed. In case of a defect, immediate elimination will be organized. If the problem cannot be solved directly, new priorities will be determined. It’s rare that one day equals the other.
How important is Quality Assurance for the success of a company like Borgwaldt KC?
For a producer of laboratory equipment, quality assurance is an important challenge as well as a duty. The steady growth during the past years is an indicator that the quality of our products as well as of our services is on high level.
Do you think the importance of Quality Control has changed in the tobacco industry within the past years?
Definitely, as well as in other industries, quality assurance becomes more and more important. Especially the concentration within the tobacco industry and official requirements multiply the necessity of standardized control procedures and of effective equipment.
What are your targets for 2010?
To steady our quality status, respectively to advance it. Another target is to improve the understanding of new technologies and procedures with the help of several trainings.
Is there anything else we should know about you?
I’m happily married and have one daughter and two sons. My children do different kinds of sports which demand all my attention during the weekend.
Hans-Hermann Rade´s contact details are:
e-mail: rade(at)borgwaldt.com
Tel.: +49 40 853138 -451