After his secondary school education and military service, Kai Frädrich worked on a temporary basis in the warehouse of leather factory Gmelich + Söhne. There his interest grew in what you could make from these raw materials and he quickly realised that the versatility of tanning could be fun”.

So he graduated as one of the last students at Lederinstitut Gerberschule Reutlingen, that was to close later on, where he was given hands-on experience in a number of production areas.

He was generally satisfied with the training at the Lederinstitut, as his professional aspirations were covered with the experience gained in the training company.

With respect to his intended ongoing training, Mr. Frädrich is not quite certain whether he will follow the new educational system in Saxony, as a qualified industrial master with additional qualifications in leather and tanning technology. He may choose the technologist qualification available at the University of Northampton in the UK, which can be completed as a Bachelors degree and additional English language skills.

Currently Mr. Frädrich works in the development department for dyeing. Trials for introducing new products, creating new colors and managing all the options are part of his job where he has some independence, for instance when it comes to the composition of formulations. As a career goal he would like to manage supplier relationships or sales.

He currently continues part-time training during evening and weekend courses.

To date, Mr. Frädrich doesn’t regret his choice of career in any way. He particularly enjoys the personal contact with customers, from whom he learns where the leather he produced is used. It’s very fulfilling to think that the leather he produces at Gmelich might fit an Airbus or cover a seat at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris or a deluxe hotel in Dubai.

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