Timber iQ April - May 2018 // Issue: 37 | Page 7

NEWS downturns. “Instead of shortening pay or hours or staff, we’re increasing staff. Our turnaround has improved and so has our presence. It’s definitely something we can be proud of,” says Ingo Teske. STANDING OUT A few years into the business, founding partner, Volker Teske, passed away. This left Helga Teske to decide if she should carry on or not. “I wasn’t sure if I’d make it. It was a big decision. It helped that I worked in the office and factory before. I knew the customers and how things work. I said to myself I’ll work for one year and see how it goes.” And so, it was business as usual. She describes that she was happy and felt a burden lifted off her shoulders when Ingo Teske officially started working in the company in 2001. “He was a great help and from then on it was much easier. I had somebody to talk to and bounce ideas off. We do a lot of the decision making together.” From growing up at the factory and eventually working there, Ingo Teske shares that the company has a special place in his heart. “When I made my first machine and it worked, I felt elated. There’s also the proud feeling of being able to repair something and assist people with their problems,” he says. One of the biggest milestones for the company is that they are proud of expanding on their production line, with manufacturing sash clamps, A-frame presses and rotary lamination presses. GOING FORWARD Ingo and Helga Teske from Volker Teske. As Helga Teske will be retiring soon, she is looking forward to her new role as the company’s brand ambassador in Germany. “We have our German roots; my mom will continue to build relationships with clients, suppliers and technical assistance on that side,” says Ingo Teske. While he holds the fort locally, he plans to grow the business to service CNC or computerised machinery. “We want to be able to service all brands and types of woodworking machinery,” he concludes. www.volk erteske.co.za Tel: (+2711) 474 3108 Fax: (+2711) 474 2721 [email protected] Cnr. Spokeshave & Spyker Crescent, Stormhill Ext. 2 Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa // APRIL / MAY 2018 5