Post by Laurent Coene

Six months have already passed—the honeymoon phase is over… or is it? People often ask me about my impressions of working at Hager, and how it compares to our "green" friends. A significant distinction is that Hager operates as a family business. You might think that, for such a large company, this wouldn't make much difference, but it actually does. On the plus side, individuals across all levels genuinely care about the well-being and future of everyone involved—not just current and future employees, but also channel partners, customers and suppliers worldwide. This doesn't mean there are no mistakes (it would be total BS to claim otherwise), but even during times of transformation that companies must face, there's a clear sense of humanity, compassion, and family spirit. On the other side, there are moments when the company seems cautious. With seven decades of success, it's understandable to see a tendency toward risk aversion and a desire to safeguard what's been built. Yet, despite this, Hager continues to move forward, embracing change. Many view these steps as bold, especially for a family-run enterprise, but perhaps that's not surprising when the group's values are courage, authenticity, and integrity. Hager demonstrates the bravery needed to tackle future challenges, acknowledging that the journey may be rough but believing that adapting is essential to preserving the unique character of this family business. While my own experience is limited, I'd love to hear your thoughts and stories about working in family versus non-family companies. Please feel free to share in the comments. As for me, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has welcomed me over the past six months. Special thanks go to Marie ZIEGLER, Sabine Busse, Michael Flieger, and Franck Houdebert for bringing me onboard and believing in my enthusiasm, and to Véronique Vibert for making my introduction to Hager and the Alsace region such a wonderful experience. The honeymoon goes on…