Three questions for: Manuel Knaus

When Batz+Burgel receives an inquiry in the metal trade, it often lands on Manuel Knaus’ desk. He has been working in sales since October 2016 and supports his customers from the initial inquiry through to delivery. The trained wholesale and foreign trade merchant comes from Meitingen – and has remained loyal to his home town to this day. His day-to-day work involves far more than just figures, quotations and orders. Above all, it’s about listening carefully, understanding needs and finding the right solution for every customer.

Hello Manuel, what exactly are your tasks at Batz+Burgel?

I work in sales in the metal trade department, where I process our customers’ inquiries and orders. It’s not just a matter of recording and recording the respective customer requirements, but above all of making the right product selection for the customer together in advance. It often starts with the question: Which product is the best fit? Then we talk about product specifications, the right category – for example sheet metal or tube – and of course which alloy is the right one for the respective application.

Basically, it’s a bit like being in a furniture store. When someone is looking for a couch, it’s not just about choosing any model. You think about it together: should it be leather or fabric, compact or large, simple or particularly comfortable? It’s the same with aluminum. It’s important to find out exactly what you need so that everything fits in the end.

I mainly look after customers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, but we are also active throughout Europe and beyond. My day-to-day work usually starts with accurately recording inquiries and creating a suitable quotation from them. If this turns into an order, I continue to oversee the process by checking the stock material for production, keeping an eye on production deadlines and ensuring that everything is handled properly and arrives at the customer’s premises on time. But that’s not the end for me, because the follow-up discussion is also part of the job: I want to know whether the customer was satisfied with the product and service.

What do you particularly like about your job?

I particularly appreciate the direct exchange with our customers. No two days and no two conversations are the same, because every customer has different requirements, questions and expectations. That’s exactly what makes the job so exciting and varied for me.

I particularly like the moment when a good solution emerges step by step from an initial inquiry. It’s a great feeling when you realize that the consultation was helpful and the customer feels they are in good hands. In the end, it’s quite simple: if the customer is satisfied, so am I. That’s what gives my work meaning.

What do you like about Batz+Burgel?

What I particularly appreciate about Batz+Burgel is the personal interaction. We are a medium-sized company where people know each other and where the individual employee is not just a number. The lines of communication are short, the doors are open and the bosses are always available.

You notice this very clearly in everyday life. There is a real sense of togetherness, a direct exchange and the feeling of pulling together. For me, that’s exactly what makes the difference – and is one of the reasons why I feel at home here.