5 Questions for Andreas Breschan, CEO, Hörmann Schweiz AG

What used to be a nice-to-have is now more important than ever for many companies: active occupational health management. The current pandemic situation has made many companies aware of what it means when employees are suddenly absent due to illness or are in isolation or quarantine.

Occupational health management (OHM for short) is playing an increasingly important role in today's world. In addition to the usual measures to promote the physical and mental health of their employees, many companies are currently making additional efforts to alleviate their employees' corona blues.

For Andreas Breschan, CEO of Hörmann Schweiz AG, this is currently a major concern. The company, which was awarded the Swiss Employer Award, has been operating an active occupational health management system for several years. To counteract the corona blues, the CEO surprises his 150 employees with small gifts and organizes team events as far as possible. Supervisors are made aware of the need to promote intensive, personal exchange within the team and to show even more personal interest in their team members. The company, with sites in Oensingen SO and St-Légier JU, is currently working on a site expansion where excavation is underway. As a fun way to liven things up, an excavator trophy is being organized in which anyone who would like to can take part.

For over 8 years, Andreas Breschan has been responsible for the Swiss business of the Hörmann Group, an expanding company in the construction supply industry that has made a name for itself worldwide as an international market leader in door and gate systems. The Managing Director, who leads the company in an innovative and forward-looking way, values most the company culture and the values of the family business.

In our interview of the month, we talked to Andreas Breschan about his professional and private habits. Find out more about him as a person, his management style and why he thinks it is important to invest in the health of his employees at an early stage in our interview of the month.

We wish you a good read!

Mr. Breschan, if you had taken a different path when you were younger, what would you have become?

"I probably would have become an architect or industrial designer. From an early age, I was fascinated by design: first car design, then furniture design. That's probably why I decided to do my initial training as a draftsman/designer. My career path turned out differently, but I still have a great affinity for design and architecture. For example, I really like the work of Philippe Starck, the French designer and architect."

What is your favorite way to start your day?

"With a "Zmorge" with my wife and my 15-year-old twin sons. The exchange within the family is very important to me. That's why I make it a point to start the day with my family for at least one day during the week. On the weekends, we take even more time for each other."

What does success mean to you personally?

"Creating and implementing ideas. Doing the right thing and generally moving things forward in the desired direction. For me, one of our greatest successes at Hörmann Switzerland has been our growth in recent years. We have also been able to position the brand strongly in the doors segment in addition to doors. Next, we want to increase the efficiency of the organization and generate even more customer benefits."

What would you work for free for a week?

"I would help people who are in a difficult situation and give them confidence and hope. There would be very different organizations and charities that deserve to be supported."

What was the best professional advice you ever received?

"'Give people confidence and empower them to achieve their goals.' Our corporate culture at Hörmann includes flat hierarchies. A management style based on trust is very important to me. After all, the employees make the company and I am proud to be able to count on a loyal team that is willing to perform. That's why it's also so important to me that they are supported and encouraged in these challenging times."

We would like to thank Mr. Breschan for his contribution to this article. This interview was conducted by telephone.

Editor: Neslihan Steiner