Jérôme Louis is 31 years old and originally from France. His professional career began in 2012 at HUT.de. Over the years he has held various positions within the company. Changing the various departments and areas gave him a varied insight into the company.
He has been the third managing director in the company since July 2023 and is responsible for the areas of human resources and communication. With his entry into the management board, a wish has come true for him, which has been well thought through and now also presents him with a number of challenges.
What have you learned during this time?
During my time at ANTHEC GmbH & Co. KG, I learned numerous valuable lessons that have had a significant impact on both my personal and professional development. These experiences have been shaped by a wealth of conversations, encounters, tasks and challenges, successes and setbacks.
One of the most remarkable things I learned at ANTHEC is the art of problem solving. I now look at the problems as opportunities. Basically, there is no problem – only solutions that have not yet been found and that need to be found.
As in every company, ANTHEC has also experienced setbacks. But these were always seen as opportunities for improvement. I’ve learned to be more resilient and learn from failures instead of letting them discourage me.
In your opinion, what are the qualities that have helped ANTHEC to achieve today’s success?
ANTHEC’s success story can be traced back to several crucial factors, the most important of which is undoubtedly that people are always at the center of its efforts: employees, business partners and customers. This focus on people extends across different aspects of the company. And of course: we are passionate about what we do.
We have worked hard to put our customers at the heart of our business strategy. This means that we not only know our products well, but also our customers. Over time we have developed a deep understanding of the needs and requirements of our customers, both nationally and internationally. This knowledge enables us to better understand the needs of our customers and potential customers and to react quickly to changes in the market. However, we don’t just jump on topics because they are topical, but because we are convinced.
In my role as managing director, for example, it has become a daily routine for me to take my morning cup of coffee and read reviews from our customers. Feedback from our customers is invaluable as it not only reflects our products or services, but also the satisfaction and expectations of our target audience.
With us, the employee is not a personnel number, he is and may be a human being. For me it is very clear and unquestionable: Every single person plays a significant role and contributes to our success as a company. Everyone as part of the whole makes their personal contribution to success.
In summary, ANTHEC’s success is based on its strong customer focus, ability to listen and adapt, commitment to employees and an enabling culture. All in all, it is a nice confirmation that our company has moved in the right direction over the past 22 years.
And if we look at the further plans: what is the current focus for ANTHEC GmbH and the plans for the future?
Our company is only as strong as our employees. We will therefore focus more on strategy and future issues, on communication and employer branding. We are an international company with a strong foundation of values and live a culture of trust. In order to further develop ANTHEC GmbH & Co. KG as a future-proof and attractive employer, human resources is a topic that receives my special attention. We are growing and we need good staff. It is all the more important to create a pleasant working atmosphere and to promote corporate values such as trust, openness and curiosity. The personal development of our employees is also very important to me, because Andre, Thomas and I can only achieve our strategic goals with a strong team.
I would also like to further develop the company with my colleagues on a solid basis. We would like to further strengthen what we have achieved and thus continue to grow. This includes the development of new business areas as well as further consolidating our name as the headgear specialist on the market – throughout Germany, Europe and worldwide.
What key developments, challenges and opportunities for success do you see right now?
I don’t think the biggest challenge can be named. The world is becoming ever faster, ever more diverse. In view of this development, it is of great importance to establish a recognizable identity. Brands play a crucial role in this, as they create trust. The challenges therefore also bring direct opportunities with them.
Another challenge: the retail sector. Offline and online shops complement each other and, in my opinion, are developing very well. With our HUT.de stores, we are already linking the online and offline worlds of headgear, not separately, but in coordination with one another, by actively involving the online shop in the local sales process (keyword Multichanel): I think it is the future for the retail sector. Our experience has shown us that the customer and hat lover moves between the two worlds. He uses online and offline for information and purchasing purposes.
And what are the most beautiful moments you have experienced with the company?
Every milestone is a happy moment for me. It brings me joy when we solve problems, keep our customers and employees happy, and expand our web shops or physical stores. In addition to our successes and milestones, I was able to experience firsthand how our corporate culture has changed over time. Our guiding principle in the company is: “We are HUT.de”, a slogan that was created by our employees. Various team members have voiced it to express their affiliation with the company. Every time I read or hear that expression, I take it as an indication that we’re on the right track. These are and remain the most valuable moments for me – when we achieve goals together and know that it is always a team effort, regardless of the hierarchy or the job.