The Wintergroup is both: A real force in its sector in Austria. But also a family business, as is so typical in our country. Because the divisions of the Wintergroup have grown in every respect, while our attitude towards team and leadership has remained the same. So let us try to find out what it means to work at Winter, to be part of the family team.
“We are quite something special”, says Andrea Winter. She built the company together with her husband and is often the first point of contact for potential and existing employees. And of course for her sons, who have not only grown with the company (and are adults today), but are also active in the company. The family is the core of the company and shapes the culture. “Although our number of employees is already well in the triple digits, no one here is just a number.” People here truly treat each other in a friendly manner, can rely on others, and, alongside professional work quality, also cultivate other values together.
The company group's field of activity is diverse, and so are the tasks for employees. It revolves around wood along the entire value chain, which means there are large machines in the forest as well as all those processing steps that form the well-known Winter pallets. But there is also classic office work in coordination as well as Austria-wide logistics for transporting the products. A whole world of work in miniature – or not quite so small anymore, although it still feels that way. “We still know about each other, we know each other literally ‘personally’. At the same time, the size allows us to offer security and variety.” Andrea Winter, like everyone in the company, is not just about words, people here get things done. This also means that employees at all levels benefit equally from the success of the Wintergroup: “When we built the new office with more space, the new lounge area for production was already created.” Son Johannes, who sits at the wheel himself, ensures that the trucks meet the most modern standards and offer the driver the necessary comfort. They really think about all employees, provide modern tools, and pleasant working conditions.
Sustainable employees wanted – sustainably thinking employees wanted!
There are more jobs in Hof than employees in the region, which is why many employees come from further away. In return, the corporate group ensures that employees can also see their own families – this is also something a family business can probably understand better. Truck routes are scheduled so that the destination is the home base in the evening, and being away for several days is not necessary. “In return, however, we also expect something from all employees!” explains Andrea Winter for this research: “We have always attached great importance to true sustainability. The raw material wood is appreciated by us in big things as well as small, and anyone who is not sensitive to the environment and sustainability here certainly does not fit in with us.” Employees at Winter can also always come into contact with customers; a friendly and professional appearance is therefore not only important within the team.
Currently, in addition to the approximately 150 existing employees, drivers for tractors, excavators, harvesters, forwarders, wheel loaders, forklifts, and more are being sought.
Independence is a major concern for the Winter family in the team, because in a flat hierarchy, you have to be able to rely on every part of the group participating reliably and actively. Being able to pitch in is not just the boss's job; all employees can and should do it. After all, the Wintergroup wants to continue growing over the coming years and expand its work on the “Wood Value Chain” cycle. This will only continue to work in the future through capable people with personal initiative.
“Key roles”, as the job description makes clear, are many at the Wintergroup. The current job advertisements and the contact option for interested parties can always be found on the website, which usually includes forklift drivers, truck drivers, and office staff. It is worth following the ads; there are always new opportunities due to the constant growth of the company. “Introducing yourself and testing whether the chemistry is right and you fit the team makes sense – quite a few glimpses behind the doors of the Wintergroup have led to an employee now being with us for many years.” That's how it is in a family business, even a large one.
Andrea Winter answered our questions. She is the creative mind of the Wintergroup; extraordinary pallet furniture and ultra-modern office spaces are just a small selection of her projects. Her attitude of always wanting to be different from the others is an enrichment for the development of the company in many areas.
