The craftsman

Gert has worked at RIVAL for 36 years, and he hasn’t had a single day off sick since he started as a junior in 1972.

“They don’t make them like this anymore,” says Gert, showing off his 36-year-old hacksaw, which is still going strong. Gert made it when he took a file course at technical college at the beginning of the 1970s. He still uses it when he’s working at home. “Feel that – it’s got just the right weight. It does most of the work itself,” he says proudly, putting the hacksaw back into the box of tools he acquired on the file course at college during his apprenticeship.

Worn-out machines
Gert has worked for RIVAL for 36 years. He has already worn out one machine and a drill, and the second one is not far behind – the steel behind the start button is worn shiny after many hours of use. This is Gert’s territory – the Czech machine that bears witness to the old Eastern Bloc's contempt for design. “As long as it works,” – that was all that mattered. Gert has little regard for the new, computer-controlled CNC machines that have made their appearance at RIVAL. “I tried one for two hours, and that was enough,” he states dryly.

>> Gert is responsible for machining the unique parts that are difficult to manufacture but still form part of RIVAL’s original business. There is no instruction book here, and every part requires an acute mastery of the material and craftsman-like expertise.<

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