Shift change. Some go home, others start their working day. A trip to the locker, a few words with colleagues, a first or last coffee in the canteen. Plastic granules crumble from the soles of work shoes onto the kitchen floor, a carton of milk is left on the table.

This - or something like this - is what happens when there is a shift change at MGG Polymers in Kematen. Work is carried out in three shifts, seven days a week. The administration and management offices are also located at the same site. From Monday to Friday, from the early hours of the morning, it's busy there too. Some start earlier, others stay longer. A colourful hustle and bustle in an innovative and modern company. Always on hand: Brigitte Sallegger and Martina Blamauer, who ensure tidiness and cleanliness.

Brigitte Sallegger and Martina Blamauer, thank you very much for taking the time for this interview. Tell us a little about how your working day starts!

Brigitte Sallegger: With pleasure! We start at 6.00 in the morning. In the middle of the hustle and bustle of shift changes and the short window of time left before the first office workers start work, we also start our shift.

Martina Blamauer: We start with the offices. Some colleagues arrive at their workplaces very early. We want to have finished cleaning and not disturb anyone. Then it's time for the routine cleaning. Vacuuming corridors, cleaning sanitary facilities, restocking meeting rooms with missing crockery or drinks, emptying and putting away dishwashers, servicing the coffee machine so that it keeps going and colleagues' moods don't plummet.

And what happens next?

Brigitte: There are now footprints on the floors again. Of course, our colleagues from production keep carrying the particles back into the office building. But no problem. It's quickly cleared up with the hoover! Then the flowers and green plants are watered, the dishwasher is unloaded and reloaded in the kitchen and the tables are wiped down.

Martina: We divide up the floors so that everything can be cleaned quickly and smoothly.

That sounds like a very well-rehearsed team. How do you generally organise your tasks? Apart from the work that has to be done every day, are there any tasks that follow other regularities?

Martina: Our work is very varied. Of course, we have daily tasks such as vacuuming, cleaning offices, sanitary facilities or the kitchen and common rooms. But there are also weekly or monthly tasks such as cleaning windows. There has to be room for this between the daily tasks.

Brigitte: We also take care of the decorations in the building. We change them according to the season. Sometimes we also take decorative items from home. It's important to us that everyone feels comfortable. That's why we're happy to do it!

Martina: We also have to keep an eye on cleaning products and utensils as well as reordering juices and fruit from regional producers. If we need supplies, we hand over an order list to Gerhard Grafeneder or Karin Großbichler, who then carry out the errands or orders.

Brigitte: For events or company tours, there is sometimes a bit of organisational work beforehand. We are also happy to help with this and provide advice and support.

Martina: But only in the background. We're only on hand again when everything has to be cleared away. One exception is the open day. We also like to work ‘in front of the curtain’ to give visitors an insight into the company.

What do you think about separating and avoiding waste? Did you already pay attention to this before you started working for the Müller-Guttenbrunn Group?

Brigitte: We have both long been in favour of separating and avoiding waste. At work, waste separation is a matter of course anyway, and we also make sure we produce as little waste as possible at home. The rubbish that is produced is disposed of meticulously and correctly.

Martina: It's hard to understand when things are carelessly thrown away. We try to make sure we have less packaging material when we go shopping. This makes it easier to separate waste and protects the environment.

Brigitte, Martina, you seem incredibly full of energy. What do you do in your private life to recover from your working day?

Martina: I live with my husband in a house in Kematen an der Ybbs and spend a lot of time in the garden, which is a source of strength. Our daughter has grown up and moved out. My husband and I enjoy travelling. In the past, our destinations were often abroad, but today we like things a little quieter and cosier. We like travelling in Austria, exploring our homeland by bike or hiking in the mountains.

Brigitte: Funnily enough, Martina and I share a love of gardening. Unlike her, I have a kitchen garden with fruit and vegetables. I live with my husband and my mother-in-law in our house in Kematen an der Ybbs - another thing we have in common! We have a son and a daughter. I enjoy attending events with my mum. Concerts, performances by cabaret artists or magic shows are just as much a part of it as garden days, Christmas markets or hiking days. We also enjoy going to flea markets. There we browse and search for ‘the perfect bargain’.

What makes the perfect workplace for you personally?

Brigitte: I enjoy going to work in the morning because I look forward to seeing my colleagues and because I know that my work is appreciated.

Martina: For me, it's wonderful to have the feeling of being part of a big family. We are a team that supports each other. That motivates us and gives us strength. I can speak for both of us: We are simply happy to be able to do our work at MGG Polymers. 

Thank you, Brigitte and Martina, for giving us an insight into your work. It is inspiring to see how enthusiastic you are about your work at MGG Polymers.