If that's not a positive record: all those celebrating anniversaries at REWE Group's Central locations totalled 5,230 years of service - more than ever before. The reason for this record is a welcome innovation: for the first time, colleagues from toom were also honoured at the end of November in Cologne's Wolkenburg.
In addition to Christmas and Carnival, REWE Group's anniversary celebrations in Cologne's Wolkenburg are also held with traditional regularity. This year, a total of 181 employees have worked for REWE Group for 25, 40 or more years, or have been on board for more than 25 years and retired from active professional life in 2023. Of these, an impressive 20 employees have been with the company for over 40 years, while 119 have worked at the Central locations in Cologne for 25 years. A total of 42 employees retired this year, nine of whom spent more than 40 years with REWE Group.
Dr Daniela Büchel
Impressive figures, which our Board Member for People and Sustainability, Dr Daniela Büchel, also acknowledged: "The corporate culture shaped by our long-standing colleagues is at the heart of our success. A strong culture not only creates solidarity, but also serves as an anchor point in times of change. The commitment of our long-serving employees has helped us grow as a company, overcome ups and downs and, above all, build a strong community that we can be proud of."
Remaining loyal to a company over such a long period of time is not something to be taken for granted, emphasised Carsten Sorgert, Chairman of the Works Council at DER Travel and Tourism:
Carsten Sorgert
"Celebrating 40 or 25 years of service is something special and rare in today's fast-paced world. For 40 or 25 years, you have demonstrated commitment, expertise, reliability, enjoyment, humour, flexibility and, above all, loyalty day in, day out - sometimes even on Saturdays and Sundays. Skills and qualities that we urgently need in the current climate if we are not to miss our target of remaining or becoming number one with our customers. It is our joint task to pass on these skills, as well as innovative and sustainable thinking and action, a sense of responsibility and the courage to take risks, to the generations that will follow us or are currently shaping the future with us. We should retain them and offer them, as well as potential future colleagues, a secure and interesting future at REWE Group. If that goes wrong, we'll have to work until we're 70, and nobody wants that," he added with a wink.
Every year, we honour our jubilarians from the Cologne-based units of REWE, PENNY, REWE digital, REWE Group Buying, DER Travel and Tourism and, for the first time, toom Baumarkt DIY store. The employees' superiors, Management Boards and works councils are also present.
Isolde Findeisen has been loyal to the company for an impressive 45 years. Reason enough for a short interview.
one: Mrs Findeisen, congratulations on 45 years with the company. Do you remember when you started at REWE? 
Isolde Findeisen
Isolde Findeisen: But yes, 1977 was a turbulent year. RAF terrorism and the Schleyer kidnapping dominated the headlines. The REWE head office was much smaller back then, about 500 people. It was familiar, people knew each other. I was the youngest and had block lessons and a tutor during my training as a wholesale and foreign trade clerk. It was a very different way of working, with pneumatic post and a typing pool. Computers only came later, in the 80s. Even things that are taken for granted today, such as women's self-determination and equal rights, still had to be fought for. A little anecdote: as I was still a minor, my parents had to sign to guarantee that I wouldn't go overboard at REWE parties.
one: 45 years is a proud number. How did you experience this time?
Isolde Findeisen: Strictly speaking, it was actually a bit more. In September it was 46 years, but by then I was already in semi-retirement. I started out in purchasing nutritional products, pasta, flours and baking mixes. Later, in Non-Food Purchasing, I was responsible for the procurement of household goods and toys and took care of imports from the Far East. Most recently, after the merger of CM and the sales department, I was responsible for the toy, party and decoration product groups in REWE Group Buying. So there was always variety and new challenges. I worked in several companies within the REWE Group and, due to reorganisations, also in several product areas and got to know many interesting people. Many of my colleagues from back then have stayed with the company for a similar length of time. Some of those who started with me later became my superiors, for example Manfred Esser, who later became a member of the REWE Group Management Board.
one: What do you take away from this long time?
Isolde Findeisen: The last few years have been very challenging, not least because of corona. Every day, we had to find ways to ensure the supply of goods for toys and Vivess party items, which I was in charge of. The company parties were legendary, especially the carnival celebrations. At my first one, the Bläck Fööss played in their original line-up, which I will never forget. I'll never forget the close-knit team spirit among my colleagues. I feel very connected to REWE. All in all, it was a great time.
