Meet Zuzanna!
Zuzanna Rekosiak
From unexpected challenge to proud craftsmanship
At Hoefnagels Fire Safety, everything is about craftsmanship and quality. But who are the people behind the fire safety barriers that protect companies and people? In this edition of ‘Meet our employees’, we speak to Suzanne Rekosiak, one of the production staff at Hoefnagels. Her journey from hairdresser to specialist in fire-resistant fabrics is as surprising as it is inspiring.
From Poland to the Netherlands: a new beginning
Zuzanna, 22 years old and from Poznań, Poland, came to the Netherlands three years ago. ‘My father had been working here for 15 years and my mother had been there for 3.5 years. For me, the choice to move to the Netherlands was logical, mainly because of the better job opportunities,’ she says.
With a background in both music and beauty care - she trained as a hairdresser and was a nail stylist - Zuzanna did not immediately envisage a career in the manufacturing industry. Nevertheless, she found her niche at Hoefnagels and discovered a new passion.
A first impression that changed
When Zuzanna landed at Hoefnagels Fire Safety through temporary employment agency Logistic Force, she did not expect to stay there for long. ‘My previous job ended abruptly, and through the employment agency I ended up here. In the beginning, it took some getting used to. I was used to quiet and ‘clean’ work, and now I suddenly found myself in production hall. But soon I noticed that this gave me energy, in a positive way.’
What surprised her most was the positive attitude of her colleagues and supervisors. ‘When I indicated that I would like to learn other tasks, it was greatly appreciated. At my previous employer, there was little room for growth, but here they actually encourage you to explore more. It is considered important to keep the quality of our products high and guaranteed, so it is important to share knowledge with as many colleagues as possible.’
Hard work, stability and fun
Zuzanna describes working at Hoefnagels in three words: hard work, stability and fun. ‘I laugh a lot with my colleagues. The atmosphere here is good, and we always help each other. There is a strong team spirit.’
One of the aspects Zuzanna is most proud of is the realisation that her work contributes to the safety of millions of people. ‘I stitch fire-resistant cloths: our FireScreens®. Sometimes we work on gigantic FireScreens® of up to eight by eight metres. These can end up in an aircraft hangar or a museum. The idea that we can save lives with our products makes you feel good.’
Flexibility and teamwork as core values
Of Hoefnagels Fire Safety's core values, flexibility and teamwork appeal to her the most. ‘Here you are not pushed to the limit. Quality really comes before quantity. This is also reflected in our products. We take our time to achieve the best quality. In addition, we work as a team and help each other. It's not like everyone works on their own little island all day. If you need help, you can get it, and together we always find a solution.’
Looking for a partner in fire safety?
In order to keep the quality of our products high and remain a reliable partner in fire safety, we at Hoefnagels find it important that our employees can develop and feel valued. Are you interested in our products or services? Then contact us without obligation!