Sven Sachse - Senior Vice President - HAVI Logistics Region West.
How and when did you join HAVI Logistics?
I joined HAVI Logistics on October 15, 1989. This was my first real job after finishing my studies of Business Administration. I started my career as Assistant to General Management - reporting directly to the CEO of HAVI Logistics. Thus, I underwent a very thorough training and he taught me all the things you need to know in business life and which you do not learn at university.
Why do you like working for HAVI Logistics?
HAVI Logistics has a great business model which we have developed together with our customer McDonald's. And, in the mean time, we have also successfully applied this model with other respectable customers. So, the company has been successful in the past and I am absolutely sure that it will also be in the future. We are constantly growing and developing our business further. This is challenging and always interesting. It is very satisfying to be part of this successful development.
What makes HAVI Logistics and the people working for it different in comparison to other companies?
One might think I can't answer this question because so far I spend my whole professional life within HAVI Logistics. Neverthless, through my job I have had many conversations with people from varying companies so that I can say: It is our special and strong corporate culture which makes us different in comparison to other companies. We base all our actions on high ethical morals and values and base all activities on the respect of the individual human being. And we all strive for the sustainability of our group of which is to the benefit of all of us. Paraphrasing the inaugural speech of John F. Kennedy, HAVI Logistics employees ask not what the company can do for them; they first ask what they can do for the company. This is a demanding approach but it leads to operational excellence of our company. And who would not prefer to work in a demanding but very professional environment? The people of HAVI Logistics can be proud of their achievements which they reach through permantly improving performance.
What does your workday look like?
The nice thing about my job is that it is never boring. I am in contact with many people from all over Europe. There is a lot of email correspondence and phone calls to other countries. But, comparatively speaking, I also travel frequently, which can be quite challenging at times, but always gives you the opportunity to enlarge your horizons. In addition, I personally prefer to have a direct contact to the local situation to be able to make more proper judgements.
What motivates you in particular?
I am motivated by achieving something together with my colleagues and employees from all over Europe. At HAVI Logistics we share our corporate culture across all borders and we put the interest of the total company before the interest of an individual organization. If you achieve something of European wide importance this is a very motivating experience.
