International employee exchange connects Wipak’s PrePress teams

What can four weeks at another Wipak site offer? For Marlon Kolvenbach and Rueangsak ‘Uto’ Koochaiphoom, the answer includes new technical knowledge, a fresh perspective on Wipak, new friendships and enough Finnish chocolate to soften the return to Germany.

There is only so much you can learn about another production site through a screen.

You may recognise a colleague’s name from Teams or have exchanged emails about a workflow. But until you meet face to face, you do not necessarily know the person behind the messages or understand why certain things are done differently.

In September 2026, two young PrePress professionals from Wipak Walsrode in Germany had the opportunity to experience this for themselves. Marlon Kolvenbach and Rueangsak ‘Uto’ Koochaiphoom spent four weeks working alongside Wipak’s PrePress team in Nastola, Finland.

The international employee exchange was the first pilot of its kind between the two Wipak sites. It grew out of a shared interest in creating hands-on learning opportunities for young employees.

A chance to learn early in their careers

Both Marlon and Uto began their Wipak careers through apprenticeships in Walsrode and were offered permanent contracts after graduating. Today, they work in PrePress, where designs are prepared and checked before they are ready for printing.

The work includes much more than many people outside the field may realise.

“There are many technical parameters that we need to discuss and keep in mind before a job can be printed on our machines,” Uto explains.

When they were offered the opportunity to spend four weeks in Finland, technical learning was only one part of the appeal. The exchange would also be their first experience of living and working abroad for an extended period.

“I was amazed to get the opportunity to learn more about our field of work and to receive such an opportunity so early in my career. Our Finnish colleagues were very welcoming from the start,”

says Marlon and continues:

“It didn’t take long before we felt comfortable with each other and could crack a joke here and there.”

Different printing methods, familiar goals

The exchange was much more than a factory visit. Marlon and Uto joined the daily work of the Nastola PrePress team, familiarised themselves with the site’s production processes and compared workflows with their Finnish colleagues.

One of the clearest differences was the printing technology. Nastola uses flexographic printing, while Marlon and Uto were more familiar with rotogravure printing in Walsrode. This allowed them to see how different production technologies affect PrePress work and the preparation required before printing begins.

Despite these differences, the shared objective was easy to recognise.

“Both sites have the same goal: making the best possible packaging for our customers. A lot of things are done in a similar way, with a small twist because the printing processes are different,” says Marlon.

The timing of the employee exchange was particularly useful. The Nastola PrePress team had recently moved to WebCenter as part of the wider harmonisation work. Marlon and Uto had already used the same program in Walsrode for several years, enabling them to share practical experience while learning from Nastola’s processes.

Together, the teams compared workflows, discussed different working methods and identified ideas that could benefit both sites.

“We compared the workflow around the repro team and looked at where improvements could be made. We also shared some ways of organising documents that have been used in Walsrode for a long time. At the same time, we gained a whole new perspective on flexographic printing and how it works in Nastola,” Uto explains.

No ready-made framework

The pilot required close cooperation between the German and Finnish teams. As there was no ready-made framework for an exchange of this kind, the sites worked together to plan the learning programme and make the practical arrangements needed for an international assignment.

Rüdiger Nachtigall, Head of PrePress at Wipak Walsrode, sees the exchange as an important investment in both young professionals and cross-site cooperation.

“Two young and open-minded media designers embarked on a journey to broaden their horizons beyond their home site. The warm welcome they received, the openness of their Finnish colleagues in sharing their knowledge and expertise, and the opportunity to experience life in Wipak’s home country have undoubtedly enriched them both. At the same time, this experience has strengthened our PrePress partnership. Thank you to everyone who made this exchange possible.”

New knowledge and a taste of Finland

Not every discovery took place in PrePress. Outside work, Marlon and Uto explored Lahti and visited Helsinki and Tampere. Uto, a keen photographer, found plenty of inspiration in Finland’s nature and lake scenery. Evenings brought opportunities to meet new people, play Mario Kart and experience everyday life in Finland.

The local canteen also made a lasting impression.

“Above all, the first thing I would love to take back to Walsrode is the amazing breakfast at the canteen. It is just the perfect way to start the day,” Marlon smiles.

When asked to sum up Finland, Uto chose ‘warmer than expected’, while Marlon described it as ‘welcoming and rainy’. Both also mentioned the people, Finnish nature and chocolate among the things they would miss.

An experience worth repeating

Would they recommend an international employee exchange to other young Wipak professionals? The answer from both is a clear yes.

“No matter how scary it may feel at first, you should take opportunities like this. You will experience new things, learn and develop as a person. Don’t be afraid, speak to lots of people and have fun. You will see how easy it can be,” says Marlon.

The pilot helped the PrePress teams compare systems, workflows and ways of working. Its value, however, reached beyond technical knowledge. After four weeks, Walsrode and Nastola were no longer simply two sites on a map. They were colleagues who had worked, learned and shared everyday experiences together.

That creates a strong foundation for closer cooperation and possible future employee exchanges across Wipak.