FROM CRAFTSMANSHIP TO PRODUCT VISION

“My name is Steffen, I am 40 years old, and I’ve been part of #TEAMRK for over four years. What drives me? Embracing challenges, developing creative solutions, and learning something new every day.

After work, it’s time to unwind and recharge. I love spending time with my family and our dog Nala – being outdoors, enjoying fresh air, and clearing my mind. I also really enjoy exploring the world from above with my drone. And what would life be without good friends? They provide the perfect balance between work and leisure.”

As mentioned earlier, Steffen’s career began with an apprenticeship as a carpenter, where he learned the craft from the ground up. However, the workshop was not his final stop. In work preparation, he deepened his knowledge in planning and organization. “The time spent there taught me how important a solid structure is for the success of a project,” he shares.

A turning point was his involvement in a benchmark project for McDonald’s. “It was a great experience. I got an in-depth look at the McDonald’s world and helped shape my first major project,” he recalls. Seizing this opportunity, Steffen’s career path then led him into project management.

As a project manager at REINHOLD KELLER, Steffen took on responsibility for the entire project process – from project clarification to successful implementation. With each project, he grew into this role and developed a new passion for the variety and challenges of the tasks.

“Project managers must ensure everything runs smoothly—from the first draft to the final delivery and installation at the customer’s site.” Flexibility plays a major role, as projects often come with tight construction schedules. A typical project in the system catering industry lasts about 5 to 10 weeks.

The international exchange, in particular, has been an inspiration for him: “It’s fascinating to see how people work in other countries and the different approaches that various cultures take.” He still maintains close contact with the project management team today and knows exactly what matters in this job.

With growing experience in project management, Steffen’s interest in developing new products also increased. He began to ask himself more frequently: “How can we streamline processes and make products more innovative?”

He found the answer in product development – a field in which he has now become an indispensable part of the team. “It’s exciting to actively contribute to new products – from the first sketch to series production,” he says.

His daily work is versatile and depends on the current projects. Priorities and requirements can change daily. In this role, he coordinates internal collaboration between design, workshop, and cost calculation while ensuring smooth alignment of processes. The close exchange with clients is especially important, as new requirements or last-minute changes require quick decisions. At the same time, external factors like delivery deadlines or time zone differences must be taken into account.

“The best part of my work is the variety,” says Steffen. The creative exchange with our clients especially motivates him time and again. “Developing furniture together that will later be produced thousands of times is a feeling that drives me.”

His career highlights came step by step. “There’s always an upward trajectory,” he explains. First, it was the first project he managed independently. This was followed by special developments, culminating in the introduction of the brand-new  McDonald’s design concept, Sunny Side Up (SSU), where REINHOLD KELLER played a central role from the outset.

The absolute highlight of his career so far was the McDonald’s Worldwide Convention (WWC) 2024, where Steffen coordinated all processes—from preparation to teardown. “This exhibition was unique in its size and complexity. It showed how essential teamwork is.” The crowning achievement, and the “cherry on top,” was receiving the prestigious McDonald’s Global Three-Legged Stool Award for #TEAMRK in April 2024.

For over four and a half years, Steffen has been part of #TEAMRK. His experiences from project management and close collaboration with clients like McDonald’s continue to shape his work in product development.

What helps him is not only the technical equipment at RK but also the team spirit. “You can really feel that #TEAMRK is actively lived. Despite our company’s size, the camaraderie is collegial and appreciative – and that’s what makes the difference for me!” says Steffen.

With a combination of state-of-the-art infrastructure, creative exchange, and a strong team spirit, solutions are developed that turn our clients’ visions into reality. True to our motto – FROM VISION TO WOW!