A day in the life of…
…a versatile all-rounder
While large demolition companies often have dedicated specialists for individual disciplines or specific construction machinery, smaller companies often rely on true all-rounders. One such multi-talent is Katja Hoffmann of Hoffmann-Abbruch-Tiefbau GmbH. As Managing Director, she not only steers the company’s fortunes, but also operates the machinery on site.
Ms Hoffmann, first of all, let’s talk about you: How did you actually get into the demolition industry?
My husband and I founded the company in January 1999, back then still as a sole proprietorship. After a severe personal blow five years ago, and because it was my husband’s wish that I continue his life’s work, I made this decision — for myself, and of course also for our long-standing employees.
Your everyday work combines several roles, from operating excavators to office work. How did this wide-ranging field of responsibilities develop for you?
I was thrown in at the deep end, accepted the challenge and acquired a great deal of knowledge. A passion for construction machinery has always been part of my life. If I don’t manage to go into the office during the day, I do it in the evening or at the weekend. My secretary takes a large part of the workload off my hands.
What does a typical working day look like for you — if one can even speak of such a thing in your case?
There is no typical working day for us. My working day starts at 5:00 a.m., then I go to the company. There, the vehicles are loaded with work materials and there is a brief allocation for all construction sites: which teams have to work where. No two days are the same. Almost every day, problems come up that you have to respond to immediately, such as machines breaking down or containers not being delivered on time. Solutions then have to be found as quickly as possible so that work can continue.
What do you personally enjoy more: working outside on site or handling tasks in the office?
Clearly, working on site. I am often involved myself and support the team wherever I can. I swap containers with the truck, carry out excavator work, deliver construction machinery or actively take part in manual demolition with the demolition hammer.
With so many different tasks: How do you keep track of everything and set priorities?
That is a good question. laughs
Without my diary and good organisation, nothing works. My top priority is my employees — and, of course, the company.
Where do the biggest challenges lie when you have to do “a bit of everything” — or rather, quite a lot?
Keeping an overview! Doing “a bit of everything” does not work. I give 100 percent in everything I do. Of course, that is not always easy to achieve, but I do my best every day. You grow with your responsibilities.
Information
Hoffmann-Abbruch-Tiefbau GmbH
Hüttenweg 2g
08064 Zwickau OT Cainsdorf
Tel. 0375 6068748
info@hoffmann-abbruch.de
www.hoffmann-abbruch.de