“Wow, that really touched us,” say Monika and Markus Stratmann. At a ceremony, Rheda-Wiedenbrück’s mayor Theo Mettenborg awarded the leather goods retailers with his city’s integration award in the company commitment category.
“Through targeted measures and a strong commitment to diversity, the company has not only created an inclusive working environment, but also actively contributed to strengthening social cohesion,” said Nicola Rosengarten in her laudatory speech. “What particularly distinguishes Ranzenfee & Suitcase Troll is the belief that diversity is a source of strength. The company has recognized that different perspectives and experiences not only promote creativity, but also increase innovative strength.”
The employees would be selected based on their personalities and not their school certificates, achievements or previous education. “The focus is on people who often have had few opportunities and difficult starting conditions in their lives so far. Young people with no school qualifications and a migration background who otherwise had no chance on the primary labor market were repeatedly taken on as trainees. And even if there are always disappointments and the young people don’t understand and take advantage of their opportunity, the Stratmanns stick with it. Then it will work next time.”
To date, employees from 23 nations have worked at Ranzenfee & Kistetroll, completed training or made the leap into the job market from difficult circumstances and still work in the four stationary stores, in logistics or in e-commerce.
“Of course, not everything always goes smoothly,” continues Nicola Rosengarten. “When people with different cultural backgrounds work together, misunderstandings are more likely to arise. The Stratmanns therefore rely on an open culture of discussion. And if someone actually feels disadvantaged, there is also an official company anti-discrimination officer.”
In addition, Ranzenfee & Kastentroll offers single mothers the opportunity to complete part-time training. If the daycare center is closed, it is possible to bring the children with you to the company. Nicola Rosengarten: “It is therefore not surprising that the company was also recognized as a family-friendly employer by the Bertelsmann Foundation.”
