Today, we will introduce an employee who you could describe as the bedrock of Clouth, the statement “Here to stay” definitely fits him. Michael Rösner tells us when and how he came to Joh. Clouth in a personal interview.

Clouth is impressive

“In 1990, I was working for a leading information technology supplier and was assigned to install a new IT system on-site at Joh. Clouth. The previous management board around Klaus Kochenrath had decided to take the leap into the computer age and to leave the typewriters behind.”, remembers Michael Rösner.

He goes on to report: “Joh. Clouth was still based in Remscheid at the time and did not have a proper IT department like it does today. There was therefore no trained point of contact to clarify the details. The management board quickly asked me whether I would like to build the IT for Joh. Clouth.”

Maybe it was the pragmatic approach of the management board or the first impression of the benefits that flat hierarchies and short decision making processes have that impressed: “After a day or two, I had accepted the position and taken on the challenge!”, explains Michael Rösner with a smile. That’s how he started at Joh. Clouth as the head of IT in 1990.

Starting from scratch

Installation of the intended system was able to be stopped, he describes the situation back then, as: “I then had the chance to get to know all departments and processes over the course of a year, from the individual positions in sales, the different jobs on the machine and the individual tasks in administration. I could therefore get a clear overview of what detailed IT requirements there were and whether there may even be systems that are a better fit.”

Michael Rösner built the IT accordingly but not with the system that was originally planned. “After analysing the requirements, the MAF software was decided on, this stands for “Mittelstand, Auftragsbearbeitung und Fertigung” in German, which means “medium-sized businesses, order processing and production”. I took care of the hardware and software, and ensuring that everything is running so that the typewriters could really be mothballed.”, he says with a wink.

Solidarity with a capital letter

Michael Rösner was particularly impressed by the solidarity within the company when it was rocked by the untimely death of Klaus Kochenrath: “This challenge was overcome with aplomb thanks to the support of most employees together with the Kochenrath family.”

Clouth has evolved over time

Development has continued constantly since then. In order to be able to stand its ground in the market and against competitors, Joh. Clouth has continued to develop constantly, along with its employees.

In Michael Rösner’s case, it’s like this: Not least, due to his comprehensive and detailed knowledge, he moved into sales in 2015 and became head of material management. “IT develops so quickly that the young people should handle it.”, he laughs.

“I like the atmosphere at Clouth and the complex applications. We have grown from a relatively small, medium-sized company into a global player. I think it’s good that risk were taken and overcome successfully. All decisions were and are taken with an eye on the future!” Just like back in the day when he himself had a significant impact on a ground-breaking project.

We would like to thank Michael Rösner for this interesting interview and the journey into Clouth's past.

The next issue of our interview series will introduce you to an employee who has an eye for detail.