Bob Marino
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Messages
- 3,263
I had the pleasure of attending the Grand Opening Celebration at Festool's newly established USA headquarters (offices, training center and warehouse) in Lebanon, Indiana Yesterday.
It was a real treat meeting so many in the Festool USA/FOG "Community", Jerry Work, Tom Silva, Jim Rey, Ron Pegram, Shane Holland, Gary Katz, Marc Spagnuolo, Tim C, Jim Force - and placing faces to the names of those working in the Festool office - Management and Staff who process the orders, market, ship and repair the tools.
The food and entertainment were excellent as was their warehouse huge (even though I hear, Festool may be considering expanding it to accommodate the orders!).
But I'd like to share some other impressions and thoughts here, though not in any particular order of importance.
1. I have never seen a repair station so clean and organized. The Festool repair team, headed by Dave McGibbon and Lester Wethington get the tools in and out quickly (virtually never more than a 48 hour turnaround). Considering Festool's large volume of tools sold, there weren't many repaired tools on hand - Dave and Lester will be the next "lonely Maytag repair men".
2. The staff offices were simple, open, modern and efficient. Same for those of the CEO and CFO. Very modest by executive standards - no lavish drapes, furniture, art or fancy rugs. Again, very much in my mind of Festool's philosophy - keep it simple, don't spend money on things that aren't functional, rather put the $$$ back into the business.
3. There is a "foosball??" table near the staff dining room, that every one of Festool's staff seems to absolutely love. Is this a German thing? I don't know, but they get into it for real - staff and management. That's a good thing.
4. I had the (another) pleasure of meeting Barbara Stoll, one of the heirs to Festool (remember, Festool is a family owned business). She's a young lady, somewhere in her twenties, conservatively dressed, unpretentious, soft spoken and well mannered.
Her mom, Gerda Stoll, was equally unpretentious and gracious. Looks to be every kid's idea of grandma warm, caring and gracious. You can tell that these are good people, good down to their bones good. Downright decent. The real deal. They set the tone, they lead in the best possible way- by example. Same goes for Horst Geiger, Festool Germany's CEO.
5. It was not news to me, just reinforced, that Festool is a company so different in every way from the typical American (I chose American, not any other reason than that's the only companies I am familiar with) company. Festool is family owned and will keep it that way. The tone is set by the owners and CEO''s. I can tell that that in 2003, when I had the opportunity to visit Festool's headquarters and factory in Germany, the staff were happy, proud to be working for Festool.
Festool's USA staff is equally happy and proud. There were no disgrunted employees milling about. I have spoken to some for the first time, but others for years now and I can tell you, they love what they are doing, believe in the tools and would jump through hoops for Christian O. He sets the tone here and staff simply loves him.
6. The presentations by Festool Germany's team on Festool product development were informative and sooooooo impressive, as was Christian O's slide presentation and anecdotes about Festool USA's beginnings and development here.
7. All the tools were available for demo - MFT3, OF 2200 and MFK 700 routers and the KAPEX. Time did not allow me the opportunity to play with em'. As impressed as I am with the tools, I am even more impressed with Festool's whole "package" from Owners to CEO, to Managers to Staff, their approach and commitment to staff as well as tool development and marketing, their commitment to raising the bar.
Without sounding too over the top, I can't imagine working for/being involved with a nicer company and consider myself a lucky, as well as thankful, man for that opportunity!
Bob
It was a real treat meeting so many in the Festool USA/FOG "Community", Jerry Work, Tom Silva, Jim Rey, Ron Pegram, Shane Holland, Gary Katz, Marc Spagnuolo, Tim C, Jim Force - and placing faces to the names of those working in the Festool office - Management and Staff who process the orders, market, ship and repair the tools.
The food and entertainment were excellent as was their warehouse huge (even though I hear, Festool may be considering expanding it to accommodate the orders!).
But I'd like to share some other impressions and thoughts here, though not in any particular order of importance.
1. I have never seen a repair station so clean and organized. The Festool repair team, headed by Dave McGibbon and Lester Wethington get the tools in and out quickly (virtually never more than a 48 hour turnaround). Considering Festool's large volume of tools sold, there weren't many repaired tools on hand - Dave and Lester will be the next "lonely Maytag repair men".
2. The staff offices were simple, open, modern and efficient. Same for those of the CEO and CFO. Very modest by executive standards - no lavish drapes, furniture, art or fancy rugs. Again, very much in my mind of Festool's philosophy - keep it simple, don't spend money on things that aren't functional, rather put the $$$ back into the business.
3. There is a "foosball??" table near the staff dining room, that every one of Festool's staff seems to absolutely love. Is this a German thing? I don't know, but they get into it for real - staff and management. That's a good thing.
4. I had the (another) pleasure of meeting Barbara Stoll, one of the heirs to Festool (remember, Festool is a family owned business). She's a young lady, somewhere in her twenties, conservatively dressed, unpretentious, soft spoken and well mannered.
Her mom, Gerda Stoll, was equally unpretentious and gracious. Looks to be every kid's idea of grandma warm, caring and gracious. You can tell that these are good people, good down to their bones good. Downright decent. The real deal. They set the tone, they lead in the best possible way- by example. Same goes for Horst Geiger, Festool Germany's CEO.
5. It was not news to me, just reinforced, that Festool is a company so different in every way from the typical American (I chose American, not any other reason than that's the only companies I am familiar with) company. Festool is family owned and will keep it that way. The tone is set by the owners and CEO''s. I can tell that that in 2003, when I had the opportunity to visit Festool's headquarters and factory in Germany, the staff were happy, proud to be working for Festool.
Festool's USA staff is equally happy and proud. There were no disgrunted employees milling about. I have spoken to some for the first time, but others for years now and I can tell you, they love what they are doing, believe in the tools and would jump through hoops for Christian O. He sets the tone here and staff simply loves him.
6. The presentations by Festool Germany's team on Festool product development were informative and sooooooo impressive, as was Christian O's slide presentation and anecdotes about Festool USA's beginnings and development here.
7. All the tools were available for demo - MFT3, OF 2200 and MFK 700 routers and the KAPEX. Time did not allow me the opportunity to play with em'. As impressed as I am with the tools, I am even more impressed with Festool's whole "package" from Owners to CEO, to Managers to Staff, their approach and commitment to staff as well as tool development and marketing, their commitment to raising the bar.
Without sounding too over the top, I can't imagine working for/being involved with a nicer company and consider myself a lucky, as well as thankful, man for that opportunity!
Bob
8) Fred
