We have done an interview with Peter Kirchin. He’s a real Englishman and he always gives us tips how to be a real Englishman. He knows very much about Bühler Sortex. He is working at the prototype building, where we have spent our first two weeks at Bühler Sortex.
What is your position here at Bühler Sortex?
I’m the prototype building leader.
What education do you have?
I have done an apprenticeship as a sheet metalworker. After my apprenticeship, I started to work as a sheet metalworker at the prototype building at another company. After a few years I changed to Sortex.
How long have you worked for Bühler Sortex?
29 years, I think. But 10 years ago, it was just Sortex London.
Did Sortex go bankrupt?
No they got bought. Instead of developing their own sorting machines, Bühler bought us.
In your opinion, was good that Bühler bought Sortex?
Best manoeuvre they ever made. It was very good for us. Before, I guess, we have done only 12 machines a month. Bühler invested a lot of money in the company. Now we’re producing 3 machines a day.
What do you like at Bühler Sortex?
Canteen and our Bühler colleagues… Ehm not only that, it’s a good place to work. It is a nice building and a nice environment.
What would you like to change at Bühler Sortex?
Nothing, that’s the honest answer I can give to you, but the moans go around and moaning about a pay rise. That’s what I like to change, I like to give them a good slap and say them: „You’re very lucky if you get a pay rise, if they don’t want to work more”.
What do you like here at London?
I’m a royalist. I love the Queen and the royal family. She’s our best tourist attraction. She makes more money than the London Eye.
What do you know about Switzerland?
It’s a very small country, with only about 20 people in it. I love the chocolate, but bars could be bigger. It’s a very nice and clean place. It’s just a nice clean country. I was once in Interlaken. At the lake, it was actually the first time I looked in to water and you could see the bottom. If you go back about 30 years, the Thames stunk. You couldn’t get near to it.
Do you ever want to travel to Bühler in Uzwil?
Yes, I would like to go and see it, if they do daytrips. I don’t travel well. I get homesick. I go miserable and grumpy.