Rina Suka: How long have you been with KYBURZ?

Pascal Salathé: Just under 6 months, so I have already completed my probationary period and hope that I will be allowed to stay a little longer.

Rina: How did you hear about us?

Pascal: In my previous job, I worked for a start-up company that is also active in the field of electromobility. For this reason, I am interested in everything that is available on this market. Naturally, I became aware of the KYBURZ company. When the position as head of production was advertised, I didn't hesitate for long and applied directly.

Rina: What did you do before KYBURZ?

Pascal: After my training as an electronics technician, I switched to aviation. First I trained as an aircraft electronics technician and then worked in this field for 10 years. After completing further training, I managed a helicopter maintenance company for 6 years. Most recently, I was head of prototype construction for a hybrid aircraft at the Dübendorf airfield for almost 2 years.

Rina: What are your activities?

Pascal: I manage production and represent the interests of the production staff at EGL. At the same time, I pursue the company's goals and try to implement them with my team. Sounds simple, but it is not always. My activities are very varied. From approving holiday absences, product improvement meetings and planning the production line to working out new concepts or process optimisations, everything is involved.

Rina: What are your strengths?

Pascal: That's for others to judge. Certain things are certainly better for me, for example, I work in a structured, reliable and goal-oriented way. I like to put things into practice. However, I am also less good at some things. For me, standing still means going backwards, so patience is not my strong point. Disorder and endless, repetitive discussions are also rather in the category that are difficult for me.

Rina: What motivates you?

Pascal: Getting better as a team and achieving a goal together is one of the best things for me. At work as well as in my private life, I constantly try to achieve the best possible together with my team. I am aware that I demand a lot from time to time, but I am also prepared to invest a lot. Challenges, clear goals and the possibility to change things are important motivating factors for me.

Rina: What is your typical daily routine?

Pascal: If possible, I cycle to work, take a shower and enjoy a cup of coffee. That's a good start. After that, I try to manage production in the background as much as possible. I want the employees to be able to do their work without idling and for us to be able to produce as efficiently as possible. Besides that, I often exchange ideas with other division managers on various topics and am in close contact with AVOR and Purchasing. In addition to the Tannenstrasse site, I am also responsible for the production facilities and employees at Industriestrasse and Hardhof. I also try to drop by there from time to time to find out how the work is progressing and whether I can support in any way. After work, I enjoy spending time with my family, although the challenges are no less with three teenagers in the household.

Rina: What do you like? What do you like less?

Pascal: I like the fact that it never gets boring. No sooner do you think you've solved everything than new challenges arise. The open company culture, the dynamic environment and a great team make work very entertaining. As I am someone who likes to take responsibility and push things forward, I really appreciate my field of activity and the company KYBURZ. There is still room for improvement in various areas and I am happy to work on them. What I like less remains my secret. However, I work on improving certain things every day. This is what I demand of myself and what drives me in my daily actions. Wanting to become better is a prerequisite for success, I always tell my athletes this and it also applies in business.

Rina: What do you like to do in your free time?

Pascal: My passion is cycling. I can either be found on the bike myself or I teach children and young people in the weekly club training. In addition, I coach a junior team in mountain bike races at home and sometimes abroad. This also includes a lot of mechanic hours for service and repair, which I really enjoy doing. If there is still time left, I travel around with our VW Bully, combined with climbing tours in summer or ski tours in winter.

Rina: What are your plans for the future?

Pascal: The company KYBURZ should be perceived as an attractive employer and market leader in the field of delivery vehicles. It is important for me to be able to develop the employees and for them to work independently and efficiently. Sustainable, agile and efficient production is inevitable in the future. Employees are to be deployed flexibly, and production processes and locations are to be harmonised as far as possible. It is my goal to initiate these steps promptly and to constantly review and improve them. With my knowledge, experience and the necessary drive, I hope to be able to contribute to making many satisfied KYBURZ customers happy in the future.