It is a problem sometimes faced by a company in a rural area. In addition to the youth of our region, how do we get young, capable people from other parts to move to the country, and then stay here? “The career opportunities just have to be right,” responds Maximilian Kemkes, 21 years young. His experience demonstrates that it can work. Two years ago, as a graduate fresh out of high school, he was facing the important decision as to what should happen next. Based on career counseling, he could see himself pursuing a path of industrial engineering, as he had always been comfortable with industrial as well as technical matters.

Maximilian Kemkes appreciates the combination of theory and practice in his dual study program at ebm-papst.
But he wasn’t too keen on spending years studying theory alone. Therefore he considered a dual course of studies with regular practical phases. Back home in the Lower Rhine area of Germany, he had never heard of ebm-papst, but with his profile, he quickly came across our company in the Internet. “By the time I talked about it with a friend who already knew about ebm-papst, it was clear to me that I wanted to apply here,” says Kemkes. He liked both the innovative technology and what he learned about the corporate culture — and the job interview confirmed this impression. Kemkes’ decision was made, and he began his studies at the Mosbach campus of the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University.
I get to work on my own here.”
Maximilian Kemkes, Dual study student at ebm-papst in Mulfingen
“That was the right decision,” he says today. He especially likes that fact that he has already been able to put theory into practice a few times. In his practical projects, he is constantly encouraged to take the initiative. For example, Kemkes helped introduce shop floor management to a production section, and programmed a production robot. “I really get to work on my own. And when I do need help, there is always someone in the team by my side.” So there are many reasons why Kemkes would like to stay in Mulfingen after he has completed his masters degree course.
A woman with three major projects
A good 9,000 kilometers to the east, Iris Ren is already a few steps ahead. She has already been working at the Chinese branch of ebm-papst for ten years. She has something in common with Kemkes: ebm-papst was her first job after graduation. Ren started as an assistant to management and today as Marketing Manager takes care of communication matters for the company in China.

Iris Ren at a fair. While working full time as a Marketing Manager, she is pursuing an MBA degree and is mother of a two-year-old son.
Despite the fiercely contested labor market in China, ebm-papst has been able to earn her loyalty. “I have always felt challenged in my job,” she emphasizes. “I always enjoy carrying out the tasks that the company gives me. These successes are my personal incentive. I want to improve continuously.” In this sense, her personal philosophy is closely tied to that of ebm-papst: always to reach for the maximum potential. This also applies to the other areas of her life, which to an outsider appears to be as demanding as playing a piano sonata for four hands by yourself.
My boss is open to a personally adjusted working time model.”
Iris Ren, Marketing Manager ebm-papst China
In addition to her full-time job, she is working hard on her MBA – and is the mother of a two-year-old son. She handles this triple load with her innate, practically inexhaustible store of energy, but on the other hand especially with the support of the company. “My boss is open to an individually functioning model,” she explains. “He allows me to arrange my work schedule flexibly, so that none of my life projects misses out. And when it becomes too much, I can always rely on my team.” She points out that her situation is not the exception in the company, but rather an example for handling staff. “I am proud to work for such a company,” she says with conviction.
Five decades at ebm-papst
Bernhard Voigt from St. Georgen was also proud as he was honored publicly this year. 50 years anniversary of service is simply a reason to celebrate, even if you are not used to being the center of attention. On April 21, Voigt completed five decades of service. In 1965, as a boy that had just turned 14, he started his apprenticeship as a toolmaker at the company, then known as Papst Motoren KG, in the Black Forest – incidentally, at the recommendation of his mother, who worked there herself.
His career got off to a good start. He finished his apprenticeship with distinction and was happy to receive the princely sum of ten marks. For 20 years he worked in his field before moving on to new assignments. “At the end of the 80s I applied for a position that was becoming available as Building Superintendent because the diversity of the job appealed to me,” he remembers. “At the time I was happy that it had worked out, although toolmaking did not want to let me go altogether.”
I’ve always enjoyed working here, especially because of the congenial atmosphere.”
Bernhard Voigt, Facility Manager ebm-papst St. Georgen
Voigt became the all-round guy at St. Georgen, took care of the winter service, repairs, and everything else that was required. In the process he met every one of his colleagues — and all of them know him. “Especially because of the great collegiality here, I have always been happy to go to work,” he says. So it is with a bit of melancholy that he looks forward to October when he will start his well deserved retirement.
Simply the best!
For the second time in a row this year, ebm-papst is one of the best employers in Germany. In the survey that FOCUS Magazine carries out every year in cooperation with social networks XING and kununu.com, those polled chose ebm-papst in an outstanding 56th place in the overall ranking. In its field of “machinery and plant engineering” ebm-papst made 5th place out of a total of 48 companies examined.
www.kununu.com/ebm-papst-unternehmensgruppe
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