NEWS
downturns. “Instead of shortening pay or hours or staff,
we’re increasing staff. Our turnaround has improved and so
has our presence. It’s definitely something we can be proud
of,” says Ingo Teske.
STANDING OUT
A few years into the business, founding partner, Volker
Teske, passed away. This left Helga Teske to decide if she
should carry on or not.
“I wasn’t sure if I’d make it. It was a big decision. It
helped that I worked in the office and factory before. I
knew the customers and how things work. I said to myself
I’ll work for one year and see how it goes.” And so, it was
business as usual.
She describes that she was happy and felt a burden
lifted off her shoulders when Ingo Teske officially started
working in the company in 2001. “He was a great help and
from then on it was much easier. I had somebody to talk to
and bounce ideas off. We do a lot of the decision
making together.”
From growing up at the factory and eventually working
there, Ingo Teske shares that the company has a special
place in his heart. “When I made my first machine and it
worked, I felt elated. There’s also the proud feeling of
being able to repair something and assist people with their
problems,” he says.
One of the biggest milestones for the company is that
they are proud of expanding on their production line, with
manufacturing sash clamps, A-frame presses and rotary
lamination presses.
GOING FORWARD
Ingo and Helga Teske from Volker Teske.
As Helga Teske will be retiring soon, she is looking forward
to her new role as the company’s brand ambassador in
Germany. “We have our German roots; my mom will
continue to build relationships with clients, suppliers and
technical assistance on that side,” says Ingo Teske.
While he holds the fort locally, he plans to grow the
business to service CNC or computerised machinery.
“We want to be able to service all brands and types of
woodworking machinery,” he concludes.
www.volk erteske.co.za
Tel: (+2711) 474 3108
Fax: (+2711) 474 2721
[email protected]
Cnr. Spokeshave & Spyker
Crescent, Stormhill Ext. 2
Johannesburg, Gauteng,
South Africa
// APRIL / MAY 2018
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