Life at Winoa: Meet Klaus Scherrer


Employee Stories, Career Paths & Industrial Excellence

At Winoa, people are at the heart of our industrial performance and global success. Through this series of employee interviews, we invite you to discover the diverse career paths, inspiring journeys, and professional growth opportunities that shape life inside our international company.

From women thriving in industry to experienced team members who have grown through internal promotion and career mobility, from employees who have taken their expertise abroad to support our global operations to young talents leading strategic projects in e-commerce, peening, and aftermarket services, these stories reflect the strength and diversity of our teams.

Klaus Scherrer

Job continuity and company loyalty

Question: Can you briefly walk me through your journey at Winoa, from joining the group to your current role?

Klaus Scherrer: I joined Winoa Brazil in 2018, already living in Brazil, and was offered the opportunity to become General Manager for operations in Brazil and South America. I officially started in March 2019 as GM of Winoa Brazil.

Later, I had the possibility to take on a part of Europe, covering the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), and served as GM of Winoa Germany and Winoa Austria. After that, I returned to focus on Brazil as GM, continuing to lead and develop operations there.

Question: You have had a long and international career within Winoa. What initially made you join the group and motivated you to continue building your career at Winoa over the long term?

Klaus Scherrer: Before Winoa, I had experience in the automotive industry and had served as GM for a Brazilian company. I was also offered a role as sales director at another company, but it wasn’t the same level of responsibility as being a GM.

At the time, Winoa was owned by the American investment fund KPS, and I was recommended internally to the CEO. Two main factors convinced me to join: first, the opportunity to return to a GM position rather than just a sales role, and second, the challenge itself it was a very interesting business and a new, exciting environment to grow in.

Leadership & values

Question: How has Winoa’s culture influenced your leadership style?

Klaus Scherrer: Winoa’s culture has had a big impact on my leadership. The Winoa Academy provides a learning and training platform for all employees, helping everyone stay aligned and up to date.

At the same time, as a GM, you’re given a lot of autonomy. There’s not too much bureaucracy, so I can decide for myself how to reach our goals. This balance of continuous learning and freedom to act has shaped me into a leader who values both development and accountability.

International & loyalty angle

Question : Having lived and worked in different countries, what distinguishes Winoa as an employer globally?

Klaus Scherrer: What stands out about Winoa is the combination of autonomy and a relatively fast decision-making process. The relationship with the executive committee is excellent and straightforward — regular calls make you feel truly part of the team.

 

Even though it’s a multinational company, there’s a strong sense of belonging — you genuinely feel like part of the Winoa family.

Opportunity & attractiveness angle

Question: Why do you think some careers at Winoa span decades?

Klaus Scherrer : I think it’s because Winoa truly cares about its employees. For example, Winoa Brazil earned the “Great Place to Work” seal, reflecting its commitment to a positive work environment. Even during crises, the company prioritizes stability and rarely considers dismissals.

It’s also a modern company with strong processes, clear complaint systems, and continuous training to keep skills refreshed. On top of that, Winoa is always looking for innovations and new ways to do business, so employees constantly adapt and grow which makes long-term careers both possible and rewarding.

Question : What would you say to leaders considering joining Winoa from outside the group?

Klaus Scherrer : For leaders joining Winoa, there’s a lot of autonomy. Regional Sales Managers, for example, manage themselves within the German concept  you can plan your work independently, with strong support, onboarding training, and the right tools like laptops and cars.

There’s also freedom in working hours, and results depend entirely on your effort, giving huge opportunities to grow. Being a multinational company, Winoa offers the chance to move across regions and experience different countries and cultures  a real advantage for ambitious leaders.

Question: How does Winoa create a sense of belonging across regions and cultures?

Klaus Scherrer : Winoa fosters belonging through regular international meetings at both departmental and company-wide levels. Programs like WINOA Start Week for new salespeople give opportunities to visit other countries and Winoa sites, which really helps with integration.

There’s also strong networking, allowing employees to connect with different managers across regions. Many working groups for example for production or purchasing managers meet monthly, creating high chances to build an international network within Winoa.

Finally, once a year, every employee is evaluated, including discussions about availability for internal moves or international opportunities, reinforcing both engagement and global mobility.