A businessman like Markus Seidel seldom has time for a holiday. He says about himself, “It’s true that I can organise my time myself – but my thoughts are usually on my work.”

“I basically have a 7-day job. So you need something as a counterbalance in your life. I try to switch off with sport: cycling, jogging, playing golf – the Vogtland scenery has plenty to offer. I’m a country person.”

The managing director of Kunststofftechnik Schedel GmbH arrived in the Vogtland region in a roundabout way, because he actually comes from South Africa. If the Berlin Wall had not fallen 25 years ago, he would never have got to know the region and its people. He adds, “I don’t want to even starting thinking about that now.”

"We manufacture polystyrene for a wide variety of applications: for the automobile industry, toys, children's seats and packaging. The bathroom and wellness area is one of our major focuses. Innovations are extremely important for us. We regularly patent products that attract prizes too. They include developments for shower surfaces and flexible bath designs."

Falkenstein was his first choice

There are a multitude of differences between the Vogtland region and South Africa. Markus Schedel grew up in Johannesburg - and he still struggles to come to terms with the winter weather in the Vogtland area. "But the countryside is very beautiful; I love the forests and lakes. My father once asked me whether I wanted to continue living in the Vogtland region. I must say I don't feel drawn to any other place." However, he does escape to South Africa for a short time in winter every year. His family there is the market leader in polystyrene production - and Markus Schedel set out from there to study business management in Germany in 1988. Looking back, he says, "My father asked my during my university course whether we wanted to set up a company to manufacture polymers in Germany together. My response was quick and brief: Yes! We opted for eastern Germany, as there was still a lot of potential there. We were familiar with just about every polystyrene production company in western Germany." This decision enabled Markus Schedel to save the jobs of 25 members of staff, who had previously worked for Jenoptik GmbH producing similar goods at the Falkenstein site. Kunststofftechnik SCHEDEL GmbH now employs 140 people; there are 13 people working for the sales company, SCHEDEL Bad & Design GmbH, and another 74 are employed at the affiliated company, JACOB Formschaumtechnik GmbH, in Cadolzburg. Markus Schedel says, "I've never regretted the move to Falkenstein. The Vogtland people are honest and hard-working. And there's another benefit for us: they do not move house and are therefore stable employees. After all, they're our most important asset."

“I believe it’s my job in the company to understand and steer the wide variety of trends within the company. I don’t want to dictate what happens from the top, but ensure a good working atmosphere and absorb some of the pressure and stress. That doesn’t always work out – sometimes I have to arbitrate, but communication helps.”

Vita Markus Schedel

• Born in Johannesburg in 1967
• Started studying business management in Germany in 1988
• Set up Kunststofftechnik SCHEDEL GmbH as the managing partner in 1991
• Has three children
• Is a member of the Auerbach/Vogtland Lions Club