One of the special features is that many Opel employees remain loyal to the company for their entire professional lives. But the anniversary that Christiane Kessler, Frank Kriesche, Kerstin Rullkötter, Elke Schleidt-Frank and Gerald Melchior have now celebrated has probably never happened before: All five colleagues started their professional lives together in Rüsselsheim on September 1, 1982. And today, 40 years later, they are still working at Opel – together in human resources.
Of course it has to be celebrated! Under the motto “200 years of Opel”, the five celebrants invited numerous colleagues and companions to Rüsselsheim. “I’ve been there for a long time, but I’ve never experienced such an anniversary,” said Ralph Wangemann. The Human Resources and Labor Director came with a delegation to convey his congratulations in person. And we were there for Opel Post to find out: what does it mean to work at Opel? Because who should know that better than these five?
For Christiane Kessler it was clear from the start: “I’ll stay with Opel for three years – then I’ll be gone.” With the apprenticeship in Rüsselsheim as an industrial clerk (“the term industrial clerk did not exist in 1982”), she only wanted to wait until bridge their dental studies. “What can I say?” she says with a laugh, “it turned out differently.” There were the other trainers, who she immediately grew to love. A job that she really enjoyed. A company that has “opened up so many incredible opportunities for her.”
“Working at Opel includes many opportunities, always something new, great colleagues!”
She stayed, studied business administration part-time, was responsible for the budget, managed special projects or dealt with employment law. Today she is a Global HR Business Partner. “And the thought of switching never came up,” she says. The same applies to her favorite model: “That is and will always be the Corsa.” The model that was new on the market when she joined the company in 1982. And which is also currently celebrating its 40th anniversary with Opel.
Christiane Kessler
Frank Kriesche
Grandma, father, older brother, younger brother – all Opel workers. For Frank Kriesche, the decision to go to Opel was also the continuation of a family tradition. So he wasn’t too excited when he got off the train on September 1, 1982 and walked towards the main entrance – “It was more like coming home.” That hasn’t changed to this day. He is deeply rooted in the company and his network is huge. He has headed the “Department for International Postings” for 28 years. All colleagues who temporarily work abroad are looked after by im in terms of human resources. Likewise everyone who comes to Rüsselsheim.
“Working at Opel also means continuing a tradition.”
Some things have changed over the four decades: Astra instead of Kadett, Outlook instead of postage stamps, SAP software instead of files. Even the favorite dish in the canteen – “It used to be currywurst, today it’s more vegetarian.” The fascination for the product has remained: Whether electric drive or hydrogen – Frank Kriesche follows the paths that the company is taking with great interest. His next Opel will be a Grandland plug-in hybrid. The only question mark is the continuation of the family tradition. His daughters have become teachers – “I therefore fully rely on my nephew.”
Back then: The printed photos on the wall are reminiscent of the training period. Frank Kriesche can be seen in the front left.
Today: The HR managers present certificates to those celebrating their anniversary together with an Opel Post issue dated September 1, 1982.
Kerstin Rullkötter has recalled a scene from September 1, 1982 several times over the past few days. At that time, an employee appeared in front of the new trainees and gave a lecture on the company pension. “We were irritated. Company pension – what does that have to do with us?” she says with a laugh. Since then, only three blinks of an eye have passed. “And yet it’s been 40 years – unbelievable!” she says, shaking her head. The prevailing feeling that has accompanied her for days is connectedness. “This here,” she says, making a sweeping gesture across the hall in which the many guests, colleagues and superiors have gathered.
“I associate working at Opel with pride.”
On the other hand, it fills her with pride “to have been involved in so many different ways in a global company.” At the side of heads of development, CEOs, vice-chairmen of the supervisory board, the business graduate has closely followed corporate policy and strategic developments for many years. As the person responsible for special HR projects, she herself pushed ahead with innovations, such as the introduction of an HR service center in Poland, most recently the establishment of the vaccination center in Rüsselsheim or the introduction of home offices when the pandemic made the traditional working model obsolete from one day to the next . When HR Manager Ralph Wangemann enters the room with a delegation, Kerstin Rullkötter follows: “Appreciation – for me, that too is one of the outstanding pillars of Opel’s corporate culture.”
Kerstin Rullkoetter
Elke Schleidt-Frank
“Here,” says Elke Schleidt-Frank, pointing to a young woman who smiles shyly at the camera, “that’s me.” The photo shows her and Christiane Kessler in the group of the best graduates from the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce in the 1984/85 winter exam. A page from the Opel Post, which is hanging next door, bears the headline “Perfect grades: Our trainees are top class”. The trainee class to which the jubilarians belonged caused a sensation when they graduated after two and a half years with exceptionally good grades. The industrial clerks have particularly distinguished themselves: “We were a close-knit community, that gave us wings,” says Elke Schleidt-Frank, who is now in charge of the company old-age and survivor’s pension scheme in Rüsselsheim.
“For me, working at Opel means I’ve arrived.”
Back then, the trainers spontaneously organized a ski camp for the successful trainees. When you hear the keyword “skiing leisure in Gerlos”, the other anniversaries come along. Memories are exchanged. About the freezing temperatures, the snowy hut on the mountain, the legendary Norwegian sweater by Frank Kriesche. It’s moments like these that Elke Schleidt-Frank means when she says: “Working at Opel means being part of a community, having arrived.”
Others wanted to be test drivers in Dudenhofen. Or to the works fire brigade. Gerald Melchior knew from the first moment: “The business world – that’s my world!” With dedication he talks about the tasks of time accounting, about the refinements of SAP HR modules. “Yes, I know it’s not for everyone,” he admits, “but it’s mine.” And because he’s so deeply involved in the subject, the HR professional now advises SAP users, including foremen in the plant, for example, when they get stuck.
“Working at Opel is like fleeing.”
But Gerald Melchior can also apply the same devotion to cylinders and cubic capacity as he does to SAP modules. He raves about his Manta GSi, which he bought after his training. How he even thinks that anyone who’s a fan of the brand must have been to a Manta meetup. In his opinion, the heart of Opel beats on the Rüsselsheim factory premises. Where the Astra rolls off the assembly line. Whenever colleagues flock out of the halls at the change of shift. When asked what it means to him to work at Opel, he answers without hesitation, based on the legendary rear window sticker: …. “It feels like you’re running away.” And we have the feeling that we can’t get much closer to the answer to what defines the Opel spirit.
Gerald Melchior
Sep 2022
Photos: Andreas Liebschner