Bobst Group
Corporate offices for Bobst consists of two buildings separated by a public street about five miles from downtown Lausanne. A company factory wraps around the backsides of both buildings. Visitors check in at the five story, blue reflective glass structure built in the 1970's. Friendly Monique Barschel mans the reception desk and whiles she on the phone I take in the lobby area and its brownish-orange decor. The ceiling is definitely different with 10 inch by 10-inch aluminum squares painted a copper rust color, then bent down at the edges. Suspended from a ceiling is a large television monitor giving company background information, showing scenic pictures of the Lausanne area and, names of guests visiting the company today (there's a group from Russia). Hmmm, I wonder why my name isn't up there-obviously it must be some kind of oversight. Though I don't get much of a tour, my visit with the personable Christophe Bally, Human Resources Manager, is a lot of fun. How did he learn his English? An opening came up for a four-year stint at the company's New Jersey facility and he grabbed it-though he nor his wife had been to the USA before AND neither spoke any English. About 1,200 people work at this factory/head office facility (they don't break it down as to how many work in corporate). About 10 miles away in the village of Mex is another large plant with over 1,300 employees. There are no executive
dining rooms with everyone eating in the cafeteria. Upper management
gets reserved parking, smoking is allowed (the CEO smokes) and
there's a small fitness facility. Bobst does offer something
not normally seen in the Swiss workplace: daycare. Why is the
company located here? Roots, Joseph Bobst opened a printing supplies
shop only a few miles from here back in 1890. |
