I started my traineeship at ERNST & FRIENDS GmbH on 01.07.2022. My name is Marvin Schröder and I am excited to give you an insight into my time as an apprentice at this diverse company. Switching to ERNST & FRIENDS was an important step for me and I would like to tell you about my experiences and the exciting areas of responsibility I have worked in so far.
ERNST & FRIENDS GmbH, located in Lanken near Hamburg, is a renowned wholesaler of hearing aid batteries and technology for watches and jewelry. The company is characterized by its wide range of products and its expertise in various technical areas. Apprentices at ERNST & FRIENDS have the privilege of working in an environment that places great value not only on high quality, but also on the further development of its employees.
My training began in the warehouse, where I developed a broad understanding of the products and their handling. This phase was essential to lay the foundation for my later work in sales. I spent most of my time in sales, as it was my main role. This is where I learned how important it is to understand customer requirements and offer suitable solutions. Direct contact with our customers by phone was a valuable experience that strengthened my communication skills.
Another important area was the handling of forwarding shipments for large orders. This gave me an insight into the logistics processes and the efficient coordination of deliveries. On the other Hand the accounting department allowed me to get to know the financial aspects of the company and understand the importance of accurate and careful accountancy.
In the marketing section, I was able to give free play to my creativity and work on various social media projects. Another particularly interesting aspect was further training in the use of engraving lasers, a technique that is particularly important in the jewelry sector. This training showed me how important technical know-how is in combination with creativity. Following this training, I was able to apply my knowledge directly in customer appointments.
The international nature of ERNST & FRIENDS also brought me into contact with the areas of import and export. Here I learned how complex international business relationships are established and maintained.
What I particularly appreciate about my traineeship at ERNST & FRIENDS is the high degree of personal responsibility that is given to the trainees. We are constantly encouraged to develop our own solutions and solve problems independently. This approach has not only helped me to acquire professional skills, but has also significantly promoted my personal development.
In conclusion, I can say that my time at ERNST & FRIENDS has been extremely educational and inspiring so far. I look forward to continuing to master new challenges and further develop my skills in this dynamic environment.
Welcome to ERNST & FRIENDS, your official EU hub for mechanical watch movements and quartz from the renowned MIYOTA (Citizen) – made in Japan. When it comes to first-class movements, look no further, because we offer you a first-class selection of products that stand for quality and precision.
As a European customer, you benefit from a wide range of advantages offered by ERNST & FRIENDS:
- Straightforward communication: Our team speaks several languages, including German, English, French and Spanish. No matter which language you feel most comfortable with, we are there for you and can answer your questions and concerns clearly and comprehensibly.
- Avoidance of currency risk: Thanks to our local presence in the EU, we can offer you settlement in euros, which minimizes the risk of currency fluctuations and offers you transparent pricing.
- Extensive stock: We keep a large selection of MIYOTA top sellers in stock to ensure that you can get the movements you need quickly and reliably. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and extensive stockholding is an important part of our commitment to excellent customer service.
- Individualization of movements: At ERNST & FRIENDS, we understand that every customer is unique and has individual requirements. That’s why we offer extensive movement customization options, including laser marking, CNC and hand engraving on plates, bridges, balance cocks and rotors, as well as thermal bluing of screws. These personalized details give your watches a unique touch and help to differentiate your brand and build long-term customer loyalty.
Our special service at ERNST & FRIENDS is the tailor-made individualization of movements, including engraving and printing of rotors. We understand that branding and customization are essential tools for customer loyalty. Our experienced team is on hand to ensure your requirements are met and you get the best possible solution for your needs.
Examples of surface finishing services include:
- Laser lettering: Precise and durable lettering that optimally represents your brand.
- CNC and hand engraving: The finest engravings on plates, bridges, balance cocks and rotors that add a touch of elegance and individuality to your watches.
- Thermal bluing of screws: A special treatment that gives your watches a unique color and highlights your craftsmanship.
If you are looking for the highest quality and a service that exceeds your expectations, then ERNST & FRIENDS is the right place for you. Discover the world of mechanical watch movements and quartz with us and be inspired by our passion for the art of watchmaking and precision.
From the IHK-MAGAZIN (February 2024): “The tailwind of the best in Germany”
Julia Jacqueline Ernst is training Marvin Schröder for
wholesale and foreign trade management.
Julia Jaqueline Ernst, Managing Director at ERNST & FRIENDS GMBH, and Torben Meyer, Co-Founder and Managing Director, see one reason for the good performance of their trainees in the support they give their trainees. “Offering support and coaching on the one hand and giving room for ideas and mistakes on the other is a special opportunity for every young person,” says Ernst. “We believe there is more to training than simply teaching the content according to the training plan. The personal development of the trainees is important to us. We try to take our time and look closely at where their strengths lie and where there are still certain weaknesses or uncertainties,” adds Meyer.
The internationally active trading company in the field of watch and jewelry technology and microbatteries in Elmenhorst in the district of Herzogtum Lauenburg wants to challenge and encourage its trainees. The prospective wholesale and foreign trade clerks are right in the middle of the action from day one – with the opportunity to make a direct contribution. “If an apprentice signals to us that he or she wants to take on more responsibility, we give them more challenging projects early on. That’s a special feature of our company: we quickly gain a lot of trust,” says Ernst. ERNST & FRIENDS has had positive experiences with this approach. “For example, we set up a new returns process,” continues Ernst. “We sat down with two trainees without any specifications and I was simply impressed by the great suggestions they came up with.”
Ernst and Meyer help cautious trainees who initially shy away from their own projects to find their personal strengths. “It’s completely normal to be nervous. It’s precisely at this point that it’s our job to help trainees leave their comfort zone,” says Ernst. For Meyer, being able to talk to each other rationally is part of this collaboration with his trainees. “We want to give them the confidence to address difficulties. We can’t find a solution if we don’t know the problem,” he says.
For Ernst and Meyer, support, freedom for their own ideas and trust are the right mix for a good apprenticeship. “The baggage we give our trainees is a great basis for the start of their career. They are well prepared,” says Meyer and Ernst adds: “That is always the aim when we train people. To gain committed people we can build on.”
To the article: How good training works – IHK Schleswig-Holstein
The Ernst & Friends team is convinced of this. As a long-standing partner of the watch industry, wholesalers and specialized service companies, the northern German company supplies watch and jewelry technology, watch movements, microbatteries and complete workshop equipment to over 80 countries worldwide.
Highlights of the product range are e.g. ergonomic workbenches made in Germany, high-performance polishing motors with powerful suction and dust collection rates of over 98%, high-quality lapping machines and other quality equipment from BERGEON, ELMA, WALDMANN, GREINER and SWISOTECH, among others.
In addition, Ernst & Friends is the official EU distributor of VARTA Micro Power, has the general agency in Germany with distribution rights in EU and EMEA for SEIZAIKEN watch batteries and is the official european HUB for MIYOTA watch movements. The company also markets SMARTPRO gemmological testing equipment exclusively in Europe and distributes its own registered brands SWISOTECH, PRAC-TEC and XX-Treme.
The ERNST & FRIENDS team presented its competencies, article diversity and service strength at the international trade fair for high precision, EPHJ, at the Geneva Palexpo site from June 6 to 9, 2023.
Matthias Noack, Division Manager Watch Technology at ERNST & FRIENDS:
What is currently in particular demand from specialist retailers with watch workshops?
When planning and setting up workshops, the topics of workplace safety and health management are playing an increasingly important role, in addition to the high quality of the tools. Watchmakers in particular are at risk of developing muscular neck/shoulder tension or back problems in the cervical spine. Our own work table line-up – made in Germany – under the brand SWISOTECH therefore offers innovative padded 3D adjustable arm rests in combination with an electrical stepless table height adjustment. Another example are our high-performance polishing motors with 3,000 rpm and an extremely powerful dust extraction and separation performance. These devices, which we carry under our own PRAC-TEC brand, are currently among our absolute top sellers. Likewise the innovative diamond testers from SMARTPRO, with which you can test whether the diamonds on dials, bezels & co. are natural or synthetic diamonds – including certificate issuance.
SMARTPRO OPTIMUM I: This convenient diamond tester easily and safely distinguishes synthetic diamonds, natural diamonds as well as moissanites.
What current highlights or new products was E&F presenting at EPHJ?
At this year’s EPHJ we presented, among other things, our workbench range made in Germany with our new Laminar Flow Boxes. The combination of table and box offers a perfect workstation with integrated cleanroom features. A continuous air flow ensures that no dust or dirt can settle in the work area.
Another highlight is our new ergonomic Neon 2 chair, which not only adapts perfectly to the working environment, but also offers a particularly large number of adjustment options to provide optimum support for the watchmaker’s individual body. The easy-to-clean, washable seat cushions are another major benefit.
Ergonomic watchmaker workbench Delta-Futura-Team: height adjustable and expandable with lamp and compressed air/vacuum system.
This week the company Seiko Deutschland GmbH appointed us as their exclusive distributor in Germany for SEIZAIKEN batteries and as an official sales partner for the whole EMEA economic area.
Our wide assortment of batteries from various brands was subject to many expansions and adaptations over the past years. This week it received another expansion wich will be a further improvement of selection options, margin and exclusivity for our partners. Seiko acknowledged our hard work over the past years and our pursuit of sustainable long-term partnerships by entering into an exclusive sales cooperation. We are very happy about that and are therefore intensifying our effort in strenghening the brand.
Despite not being so well known in Europe, SEIZAIKEN batteries meet the same advanced quality standards as other top brands. In fact they are unmatched in regards to being leakproof and their voltage stability. And, being a product of the famous SEIKO group, SEIZAIKEN batteries are the result of decades of research and development in the watch industry and perfectly optimized for modern quartz watches. All SEIZAIKEN batteries are 100% made in Japan.
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