The exciting success story of Harald Plößer

49 years of service at Wirthwein Medical GmbH & Co. KG

Harald Plößer began his professional career at the age of 15 in August 1969 with training as a toolmaker at Wirthwein Medical. After successful completion, his tasks were to manufacture injection molding and blow molding molds and to carry out their repairs and conversions. His position at Wirthwein Medical changed in the year 1984: He became a master of injection molding and a specialist for occupational health and safety at all sites. Harald Plößer was able to experience how Wirthwein Medical grew up from a very early age into a successful company. 

Mr. Plößer, what is your function today?

I am production manager of the injection molding department and occupational health and safety specialist at all three Wirthwein Medical sites in Mühltal.

How did you hear about Wirthwein Medical then?

I already knew Wirthwein Medical from my youth due to my residence in Mühltal. In addition, Wirthwein Medical's mold making was very well known in the town. My father advised me to become a mold maker.

You have been with Wirthwein Medical for 49 years now...

Of course, a lot has changed in such a long time. An ambitious period began in the early 1970s with many new buildings, expansions in the injection molding shop, new machines and new technologies. The manufacturing spectrum was increasingly expanded and the production potential increased by the production of hair cosmetics, the production of yogurt cups and further by closures for toothpaste. The major breakthrough in diagnostics followed at the beginning of the 1990s. From then on the path went very steeply uphill. Due to the production, development and corresponding documentation required for parts of the pharmaceutical industry, much has evolved and over time Wirthwein Medical has become what it is today.

Do you believe that there has been a change in how employees relate to the company?

Of course something changes over the long time with the employees. The company has grown very strongly and over the years many new employees have been hired into the familiar family business with new rules. In my opinion, the bond of those who have been there from the beginning is different from that of those who joined later. Nevertheless, I think that each individual has his own very special connection to Wirthwein Medical. Wirthwein Medical's well-being is close to everyone's heart.

What was the most memorable event you have experienced in your career at Wirthwein Medical?

In the many years of working together, there were a lot of great events which also let me forget the less good experiences. But I can still remember one day exactly; it was my first day at Wirthwein Medical. I was welcomed very warmly and on the very first day I realized that I had made the right decision to learn at Wirthwein Medical. In addition, it was the birthday of the then owner Horst Riegler and there were "bread, sausage and beer".

How do you assess the interaction between older and younger employees in everyday working life?

In my area I find the contact with young and older people very pleasant. I think it's great to be able to spend time with the trainees and to pass on my knowledge. However, I can also still learn a lot from young employees.

What experience have you gained over the years on the subject of reconciling family and career at Wirthwein Medical?

It was never a problem for me to reconcile work and family life. I like the quote "If you love your job, you never have to go back to work". I do not have the feeling that I have to go to work every morning. Nevertheless, I think it is important for one parent to spend as much time as possible with the child's upbringing before he/she returns to work after parental leave.

Which objectives do you still want to achieve with Wirthwein Medical?

I have already achieved a lot of objectives with Wirthwein Medical and therefore it is very important to me that my knowledge is passed cleanly to my successor, which cannot be achieved in one day, one week or one month. I would like to pass on as much as possible of the experience I have gained over the past 49 years at Wirthwein Medical. I would also like to continue to support the expansion and modernization of the clean rooms for as long as possible. A very specific date is also very important to him: He wants to celebrate his 50th company anniversary with his colleagues. They should therefore register August 1, 2019 in the calendar at Wirthwein Medical in Mühltal.