The Brüning Group launched its new unit “waste paper” on 01/01/2021. With the takeover of the company Schneider Rohstoffe GmbH & Co. KG, based in Buchholz in der Nordheide, a new product will be added to the Group’s portfolio.
Leon Trunkhardt, who previously worked in the waste wood unit, has changed to the site in Buchholz with the takeover, which will be continued as Schneider Rohstoffe. He acts as a kind of integration ambassador and will henceforth support the team in Buchholz around Kerstin Meyer, who also acts as a link between the Brüning Group and Schneider Rohstoffe.
Dear Leon,
the change to the new waste paper unit is certainly an exciting challenge. What made you decide to do it and what appeals to you about this new task?
I very quickly developed a passion for waste management in the waste wood unit. Here I learned the basics for successful supplier and customer retention during my apprenticeship. The main reason I changed to the waste paper unit was the integration into the Brüning Group. I really wanted to be involved in the integration of a company into an already existing corporate construct. So an “exciting challenge” sums it up pretty well.
Furthermore, I find it incredibly interesting to get to know new product ranges and to expand my know-how. I therefore see the new “waste paper” unit as an ideal opportunity to develop professionally. Of course, I hope that we will continue to work together successfully and goal-oriented across departments in the two units.
How did the Brüning Group decide to go for waste paper and how do you think this new product fits into the Brüning Group’s product range?
A few years ago, we had already tried to enter the waste paper market without really existing material flows. However, since we specialised in the marketing of wood products and could not really find our way into the market structures through new acquisitions, we abandoned this project at that time. Now the situation is completely different. With the acquisition of Schneider Rohstoffe GmbH & Co. KG, we have taken over an existing business. In addition, our new colleague Kerstin Meyer also brings a great deal of expertise with her. In the meantime, I am firmly convinced that this new product in the Brüning Group’s product range will become another success.
With the company Schneider Rohstoffe, founded about 20 years ago by Anette and Martin Schneider, the Brüning Group can draw on a lot of experience in the waste management industry. Kerstin Meyer also brings a heavy load of expertise with her. Both are certainly helpful when introducing a new unit. How is the new cooperation shaping up?
The new cooperation is going very well. At the beginning, there are little difficulties here and there in understanding each other. The home office situation is not exactly playing into our cards at the moment, which makes communication with each other a little more difficult to some extent. But apart from that, communication is good throughout, also with Anette Schneider and Martin Schneider, who are still available to answer questions. I would say that despite the new team, the new processes, work structures, etc., we really get along very well with each other in the waste paper unit.
What are the short-term goals at the beginning, but also the hurdles in setting up the new unit?
Our short-term goal is to take over the existing business into our company structure. This includes the data integration into our new operating system, the division of tasks among each other as well as taking over and improving the disposition structures. The hurdles to be overcome include familiarisation with the new company structures and some technical requirements, which have been solved very well by our IT department so far.
And what are the long-term goals?
One of the longer-term goals we are pursuing is to expand the material flows in the area of recovered paper. We also want to expand our customer base, but also create a larger offer for our existing customers.
Thank you very much for the interview and good luck in developing the new unit!