Interview Max Pisasale

Congratulations on your 35th anniversary with the company, Max! How did you first come to work at BOPP?

Thanks!

My father had me ‘packed up’ and sent to BOPP when I finished my education. He worked as a foreman in the grilles department. I was however already familiar with BOPP from holiday jobs as a fourteen year old. 

What were the reasons behind your choice of career and what roles did you fulfil?

I had forged a completely different career path before I came to logistics. I am a qualified sheet metal worker. In the early days with BOPP, I built covers for machines, then later moved into machinery maintenance. At that time, BOPP operated weaving machines in Zürich too. When weaving operations ceased in Zürich, I worked in mesh inspection and gained significant experience. Even today, I am still responsible for workshop testing processes.

My route into logistics was by chance. From time to time, I had helped out when there were personnel shortages. The IBM 36 system we ran at the time was a little temperamental. Because I was familiar with it, and was called upon more and more often for ‘troubleshooting’, I was then sent for PC Support training. At the same time, the top job in logistics was offered to me. I was the youngest in the team and had to prove myself. That was 25 years ago.             

What have been the high points of your working life?

It’s difficult to name just a few highlights. BOPP is my home. Just being able to say that is a highlight! If I have to name just two, it would be that my further education led directly to promotion. A second would be the introduction of our Kardex Shuttle System (BOPP’s high bay warehouse). At the time of our expansion in 2007 it was the largest installation in Switzerland and required lots of work to ensure everything worked seamlessly.   

Alongside high points, there are always low points in the course of every life. What are these and how did you cope with them?

So when is bad really bad? I believe that if you are concerned with giving notice. I was never at this stage. I always had the support of our management team. That is why I never experienced real low points.

Looking back, would you do it all again the same way? What would you change?

Originally, as a DJ, I had different plans. Aviation always fascinated me too. But with regard to BOPP, I wouldn’t change a thing. Perhaps that’s why I still have all my hair and it isn’t so grey! (laughs)

Your long service demonstrates great loyalty to the company, but also can carry the risk of a more blinkered approach. How do you deal with that?

By assembling a great team that challenges you and contributes, that simply can’t happen. We grow together.

In addition, when you love your job you are automatically driven to improve things. Without full engagement and a mind which isn't open to new things, that is not the case. I can see that we have developed from an IBM 36-system to a modern warehouse management system.  

As well as heading up logistics, you are also responsible for the apprenticeships programme. What are your key messages for young people? You are considered to be quite strict …  

Less dreaming and living in the future. Instead, focus more on the here and now and keep your eye on what’s really important. That means spend less time in the online bubble. Communicate with each other in real life. For example, lots of young people are incapable of making a simple telephone call... 

What do you see as the main differences in apprentice training today compared with earlier? Do you see these as improvements?

It depends on the apprenticeship. In general, it was stricter in earlier days, the conversational tone was harsher and the young people were tougher. Today, in my opinion, we’ve become too lenient. No one gets anything for nothing, but in contrast, in some places apprenticeships have to be paid for.

However, the education system today has become more transparent and offers more possibilities than before – a clear improvement. The social safety net is better too. As trainers, for example, we attend courses in prevention.        

What do you do when you’re not occupied with logistics – let’s say, in your free time?

I love to travel! I also enjoy ice hockey matches at "Hopp ZSC" (Zürich’s City Club). Earlier, I had a cabriolet for the summer months and I always went snowboarding in winter. After experiencing a few tricky situations, I didn’t want to push my luck any further. Music is still very important in my life, which is why I have a great Bang & Olufsen set-up at home. And importantly – as I get older I enjoy good food and a good bottle of wine more and more.   

Let’s take a look into the future. How in your opinion will logistics change, in relation to BOPP?

Extreme just-in-time delivery demands are becoming a thing of the past. The crises of recent years have demonstrated that when the unforeseen happens in world affairs, the production lines stand still. No one can afford that. BOPP relies on large stocks. These allow us to offer fast lead times. A real advantage! Instead of just rolls of mesh, I can also imagine stocks of semi-finished goods. Conversely, outsourcing is not an option for us, as our products are too specific. I am also seeing a trend towards more local production. That also suggest less logistics despite higher levels of consumption.