Production, quality, and precision don’t end with the finished plastic part. It’s also crucial that products reach customers on time, safely, cleanly, and reliably. Marco Kälin has been driving for Silac for many years and sees firsthand every day just how important logistics, responsibility, and direct customer contact are.

Responsibility Through Delivery

The demands placed on transportation and logistics have changed significantly in recent years. Time windows, safety regulations, and increasing traffic now shape everyday life on the road. At the same time, reliability, attention to detail, and direct customer contact remain essential.

In this interview, Marco Kälin talks about responsibility in the transportation industry, changes in his day-to-day work, and why quality doesn’t start in production.

Logistics: Between Planning and Day-to-Day Operations

Marco, you’ve been working for Silac for many years. What has changed the most in terms of customer requirements and deliveries during that time?

A lot has changed when it comes to hygiene and safety regulations. For example, hairnets or high-visibility vests are often required for cargo handling, and safety shoes are now mandatory almost everywhere.

When people think of quality, many first think of the manufacturing of a plastic part. How important is logistics to quality?

Logistics plays a key role in this process. After all, ensuring that goods arrive at the customer on time and in perfect condition is an integral part of Silac’s quality commitment.

Anyone who sees your truck can quickly tell how carefully you work. Where does this attitude toward your vehicle, materials, and products come from?

I love my job and, above all, my truck—as if it were my own. On top of that, I’m more of a perfectionist.

 

Direct contact with customers

You regularly visit customers in person. What is most important to you when interacting with customers?

It’s important to me that I can serve my customers to their complete satisfaction.
This approach has served me well all these years, and it’s also appreciated.

Are there situations in everyday life where experience and critical thinking are especially important?

These situations come up time and time again. This is especially evident when planning routes and in general when driving on the road. I believe it’s fundamentally important to think ahead. It’s all the more rewarding when your employer also encourages this.

 

Family Businesses and Responsibility

 

For as long as I can remember, most of Silac’s products have been transported by our family.

Your father was already part of Silac, and now you yourself have been working at the company for many years. What does a family business mean to you in your day-to-day life?

My father worked as a driver for Silac for about 35 years, and after he retired, I was able to take over the job. So for as long as I can remember, most of Silac’s products have been transported by our family.

The family-owned company Silac has always been part of our family. Working as just another number in a large corporation was never an option for me.

How have time constraints, planning, and transportation requirements changed in recent years?

There’s always been time pressure. You just can’t let it get to you—you should tackle one thing at a time.

But the sharp increase in traffic in recent years and the daily traffic jams don’t always make things easy. On top of that, we now have to provide more and more customers with a time window—including the exact delivery time—one to two days before delivery.

In your opinion, what aspect of the chauffeur’s profession is often underestimated?

I think the enormous responsibility that drivers bear on the road is often greatly underestimated. There’s also often not enough appreciation for this profession, because drivers are out on the road for us around the clock.

But for me, it’s still my dream job.