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Mr. Thomas Daffner has been a member of MARTIN's management team since 1st February 2024. He has been with the company as head of the purchasing & logistics department since 2021. In an interview, we spoke to him about his career, his goals and his future plans as managing director. But have a look for yourself.

Welcome, Mr. Daffner! Could you briefly introduce yourself and give us an overview of your professional career?

"Thank you very much for inviting me to this interview! With pleasure. My professional career began with an apprenticeship as a construction mechanic, that is to say in a technical or rather skilled trade, before I went on to study "Management and Technology (TUM-BWL)" at the Technical University of Munich. After graduating, I spent almost six years at a consulting company before I took to large-scale plant engineering. For the last ten years in the plant-engineering industry, I have had the opportunity to get to know and appreciate the business from a wide variety of perspectives, including processing, after-sales services, purchasing and digitization."

What made you decide to join our company?

"There is a whole series of reasons. Among these, there are the following two aspects: Globally, the construction and maintenance of large-scale plants for the thermal treatment of residual matter experiences a dynamic time that nevertheless offers a great deal of creative freedom. As standing still is not a strength of mine, this circumstance suits me well. A second aspect is the environment and culture at MARTIN. When I interviewed for the position of head of the purchasing & logistics department in 2020, I was very quickly impressed by the respectful approach. The company, its members of staff and its culture are really something special. I am therefore delighted to be able to make my contribution here as a managing director in the future."

What prospects and goals do you have for the company in your new position?

"We want to sustainably expand the business in all areas and, in this context, also focus more strongly on the MARTIN group – in the fields where there is meaningful potential."

To what extent do you think that the expansion of the management team will influence the dynamics within the company?

"Basically, it allows us to be more focussed and, as a result, be more dynamic. What is more, we are able to address various additional topics in the depth that is necessary."

How do you assess the current development in our industry and what strategic measures are you planning in order to move the company forward?

"As already mentioned, we – like many other industries at the moment – find ourselves in a dynamic environment, both in terms of the drivers in the markets and the landscape of competitors. We are in a good position and have always been a reliable partner for our customers, but we also know where we still have to excel."

Are there any particular trends or innovations that you attach particular importance to?

"We must continue to live up to the promise of "a tradition of innovation". It is therefore important to continuously scrutinize and develop ourselves with regard to existing trends and innovations, but also with a view to the situation prevailing in society.
And, very importantly, to continue to lead the way technologically with our own product."

What role does corporate culture play for you and how would you like to promote employee engagement?

"The members of staff and the corporate culture associated with them are at the heart of our company. In my opinion, this is particularly important in an engineering company like ours.
I have been with the company for three years now and I can say that the staff members are already doing an outstanding job in terms of commitment. What we have lost somewhat due to our growth and the generational change that has already taken place in some departments, is the understanding of a "we" in joint project management across divisions. We will continue to work on this."

What motivates you personally in your position as managing director?

"There are many aspects that motivate me in this position, such as the collaboration with all our stakeholders. To work together with the team on MARTIN's further development. To set the pace. To engage in constructive discourse. To move forward."

How do you plan to organize communication with our customers, partners and members of staff?

"Open and trusting. I am here to assist the company in finding solutions for our customers and partners and to support our staff members in their daily work. If we don't talk openly about the relevant issues, we will not find the right solutions for the tasks that need to be completed."

What is your attitude towards feedback, both in terms of giving and receiving, and how do you promote a continuous learning process within the company?

"Feedback is the prerequisite for continuous learning – in all directions. However, the feedback must be constructive, reflective and respectful. And yes, it's not always pleasant to receive feedback. Not all feedback has to be accepted immediately, but it's always worth thinking about it."

Finally, is there anything you would like to share with our customers, partners and staff members?

"I am now looking forward to collaborating with everybody! We have everything we need to continue to be successful, let's make something out of it."

We are looking forward to collaborating with you, too!
Thank you very much for taking the time for this interview, Mr. Daffner.