KION management trainees travel the globe working at our KION locations worldwide

Where are you currently working and how are you supporting local colleagues?

I’m currently working in Hamburg and supporting my team by managing the International Key Account Management discount database and creating customer mapping dashboards for the Automation International Key Accounts Management Team.

What has been your favorite experience, both at work and in your host country?

My best experience at work was attending an automation workshop in Antwerp, Belgium. There I learned how production works in Europe and how the distribution of KION Mobile Automation is handled on an international level. Since I've been in Hamburg, I've also discovered a new hobby outside of work: bouldering, which is indoor climbing without ropes and a great sport to do either alone or with friends on a rainy day. Because yes, it rains a lot in Hamburg. What fascinates me so much about climbing? When you're bouldering, you not only have to be strong, but also patient and plan your route well in advance.

During your time abroad, have you had any real lightbulb moments when it comes to your work?

I visited various production sites, which gave me a better understanding of European production. Many things became clearer and this helped me to visualize what I previously only knew from Excel spreadsheets.

How has your international experience affected your way of working?

For one thing, I’ve built up a new network of experts. Working in Hamburg has also introduced me to a new work culture, which I really like.

What do you think about the opportunity to spend part of the KION Management Trainee Program abroad?

My international placement has helped me gain a better understanding of the international perspective of a truly global company like KION.

Can you sum up your international experience in one sentence?

Coming to Hamburg has been a crucial part of my career so far. I have had the opportunity to meet amazing people from different areas and specialist fields. It's an experience of a lifetime that I'll never forget.

Where are you currently working and how are you supporting local colleagues?

In my international placement, I am supporting the Business Transformation Organizational Readiness and Change Management Team—or BT for short—in Frankfurt. I mainly work with the training team and my role includes coordinating the translation of training materials.

What has been your favorite experience, both at work and in your host country?

One of my best experiences at work has been getting to know my colleagues here. I have attended many joint work events, where I got to know everyone even better and was able to expand my network. I have also had the opportunity to visit the Linde MH factory in Aschaffenburg, which was great. KION's headquarters is located in Frankfurt, so many trainees—both current and former—live nearby. I did a lot with them and was able to get to know Germany and German culture much better. For example, we once went on a bike ride together to Seligenstadt!

During your time abroad, have you had any real lightbulb moments when it comes to your work?

Yes! During my time at BT, I learned first-hand why processes can be crucial in large organizations. Prior to my international placement, I worked in fast-paced, results-driven teams, where the development of clear and detailed processes was not a top priority. BT is delivering an international project, so team members are spread out across the globe. Without clear processes, it would be almost impossible to track certain activities and remain consistent over an extended period of time. This is the only way to maintain a guaranteed level of quality during an entire transformation.

How has your international experience affected your way of working?

During my international rotation, I learned more about KION and the various operational units. I became more familiar with KION’s work culture and processes and now I know exactly how the Operating Units are all connected. Dematic is part of the KION Group, so I was able to see how certain parts affect Dematic. I’m going back to Dematic in North America for my last placement as a trainee. My experience in Frankfurt means that I can collaborate more effectively with KION and contribute even more to my future roles at Dematic.

What do you think about the opportunity to spend part of the KION Management Trainee Program abroad?

I’m very grateful that I was able to spend part of the Trainee Program in Germany. It was exciting to experience the cultural differences in the workplace and discover more about Europe in general, both inside and outside of work. As a Swiss native, Germany's proximity to Switzerland was fantastic. I was able to visit my family several times and delve much deeper into my culture in my original homeland. Overall, it was an invaluable experience that I can recommend to anyone who wants to expand their view of the world and improve their professional competence.

Can you sum up your international experience in one sentence?

An unforgettable experience!

Where are you currently working and how are you supporting local colleagues?

I moved to Grand Rapids for my international placement. I’m working at Dematic there and supporting two teams in the Business Transformation (BT) department. Firstly, I’m part of the Hire to Retire Core Team, where my tasks involve coordinating the technical conversion of HR systems and data, so essentially project management. I also work in the Organizational Readiness and Change Management Team, where my main remit involves recording the various stakeholder groups within Dematic North America and designing communication about BT accordingly.

What has been your favorite experience, both at work and in your host country?

Definitely working with and for so many great people. I was also involved in the creation of the HR Champion Network, which lays the foundation for something that can be of great benefit not only to BT, but to the company as a whole, as it fosters international collaboration and communication within the KION Group. Outside work, I love hiking and outdoor activities. In Michigan, the wonderful nature reserves make this a very special experience. I also love the food, and nothing beats a juicy double cheeseburger.

During your time abroad, have you had any real lightbulb moments when it comes to your work?

Every colleague who works at BT probably has moments like that on a regular basis. As part of this change project, I became familiar with so many dependencies and workflows within our organization, which helped me gain a better understanding of the overall picture of KION.

How has your international experience affected your way of working?

I have learned how to better deal with stressful situations and the importance of a systematic approach when many things are happening all at once. My appreciation for international teams has also grown and I now have an even better understanding of how essential different cultural perspectives are when it comes to solving problems.

What do you think about the opportunity to spend part of the KION Management Trainee Program abroad?

This was an amazing opportunity. I’d like to say a big thank you to all those who have made this possible!

Can you sum up your international experience in one sentence?

During my international placement in the USA, I was able to contribute my talents to effectively support our international Business Transformation Program. At the same time, I have gained a lot of knowledge and a wealth of good experience. But above all, I got to know colleagues who I can now call friends.