Half a life in ceramics
From apprentice to master craftsman
More than half of his life – over 25 years – he has worked at the ceramics plant in Haldensleben (DE). Starting as an apprentice, now a master craftsman leading 40 employees in the casting shop: Christian Rooke lives his profession with palpable enthusiasm.
When Christian Rooke walks through the casting shop shortly after six in the morning, he not only knows the previous day’s figures but also senses the mood of his team. “Taking the pulse – professionally and personally – is part of the job for me,” says the 43-year-old. Staying close to the team is important to him. Even though meetings and planning now dominate his daily routine more than craftsmanship, he still spends a lot of time on the shop floor: “Foremen should know the trade – and that’s exactly where I see my role.”
From apprentice to master craftsman
His journey began in 1998 at the former Keramag* with a three-year apprenticeship as an industrial ceramist. After several years as a skilled worker, he gradually advanced until he took on the master craftsman role in 2021. Today, he is responsible for a department with around 40 employees.
Change drives him. Take process control, for example – in the past, many decisions were made based on gut feeling; today, work steps are guided by numbers, data, and facts. Or the introduction of lifting aids: “At first, people said it would only slow them down. Now, they wouldn’t want to work without them.”
From skepticism to conviction
For such changes to succeed, it takes more than just technology: “You have to keep engaging people and explain why we’re making changes.” From ‘We’ve always done it this way’ to ‘Let’s give this a try.’ For Christian Rooke, it’s this blend of technology and persuasion that makes his work exciting. And when he sees skepticism turn into conviction, that’s the greatest reward for him.
Dream of a self-made WC
Despite all the technology, he remains a ceramist at heart. “When you see what goes into it, it’s much more than just a toilet bowl.” His dream: to one day make his future WC himself, from A to Z, marked with his employee number. “Yes, I love Geberit from top to bottom,” he says with a laugh.
*Keramag was part of the Sanitec Group, which was acquired by Geberit in 2015.
