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Silvia, Ingo and Patrick Rachner, B. Braun Melsungen/Germany

“I love numbers!,” laughs Silvia Rachner. Fortunately, the 50-year-old has the opportunity to live out her passion in her role in Logistics at B. Braun. The deputy group leader for the Incoming Goods department first joined the company 35 years ago as an administrative assistant. After initially working in research, her role soon changed to involve inventory management and all related activities. For Ms. Rachner, her hometown of Melsungen and B. Braun are inextricably linked: “The company does a great deal for the town, for example by supporting local clubs and associations.” A number of Ms. Rachner’s friends and relatives also work at B. Braun, including her husband Ingo and son Patrick. Ingo Rachner has been a loyal employee of the company for 25 years. Originally a trained car mechanic, Mr. Rachner, 47, is today responsible for processing returns: “It was my wife who first suggested I apply to B. Braun; it was clearly an attractive employer, offering job security and interesting work, so it didn’t take me long to take up her suggestion!” Their son Patrick, 26, also initially trained to become an automotive mechatronic engineer, graduating as the best student in his class. In 2009, he too decided to apply to B. Braun. “It's great that I still get to work with cars,” he comments. He works in the company’s own auto repair shop, as well as providing chauffeur services.

Werner, Rafael and Monica Mohrstedt, B. Braun Sao Goncalo/Brazil

“I always wanted to work for a German company,” says Monica Mohrstedt, 57, an administrative assistant in the sales department of B. Braun’s Brazilian plant in São Gonçalo. As one might guess from her last name, this desire had partly to do with her German roots. “It’s really great that I have so much contact with my coworkers in Tuttlingen and Melsungen,” she comments. She achieved her goal back in 1981 and has been with the company ever since. Werner Mohrstedt, Monica’s brother, has worked for B. Braun for almost as long, after acting on his sister’s advice. Werner works as an architect and project coordinator for projects such as the Guaxindiba plant, which is currently under construction. “I enjoy having the opportunity to use my German during meetings,” explains the 58-year-old. His son Rafael is also an architect and joined B. Braun in 2006. “When I first started, it was strange having my dad as my supervisor. Most of my coworkers simply referred to me as 'Werner’s son.' Now, however, I have earned their trust and they all call me by my real name,” says 27-year-old Rafael with a wink.

Noelia, Presen and Antonio Sánchez, B. Braun Rubí/Spain

By working for B. Braun, a family company steeped in tradition, the Sánchez family is preserving a tradition of its own. Presen Sánchez, 58, works in the payroll department. Ms. Sánchez has worked at B. Braun’s Rubí site near Barcelona since the age of 15, when she took her father’s suggestion and applied for a position with the company. Ever since joining the company, she has encountered many of her relatives in the course of her daily work. She keeps matters very professional: “At work, we are first and foremost colleagues.” Do her niece Noelia and cousin Antonio agree? Noelia, 29, who works in customer service and particularly appreciates the opportunities B. Braun offers for individual professional development, responds: “Working with so many members of my family is great.” And, her father, warehouse foreman Antonio Sánchez, 53, who has been with B. Braun for almost 40 years, concurs: “My parents worked here and today at least 15 of my relatives work here. The security and stability of the company has benefited our entire family.”

Jason, Gusand and Joe Griffith, B. Braun Allentown, Pennsylvania/USA

“When my two boys were young, I often raved about the company that I worked for,” recalls Gus Griffith, 61, an injection molding coordinator at the B. Braun plant in Allentown, Pennsylvania. That was almost 30 years ago, but his words must have made a lasting impression. Both of his sons, long since grown, have now worked at B. Braun for many years. Jason, 41, followed in his father’s footsteps in 1991, joining the injection molding department as a mechanic. “I see my dad every day because we work in the same department. We have been through a lot together,” Jason comments. In 1996, his younger brother Joe, 31, also joined the company in the quality assurance department, which is based in the same building. “I’m very grateful to my dad for opening our eyes to the opportunities at B. Braun. It’s really something to work for a global corporation,” he concludes. Gus has the final say: “Joining B. Braun in 1985 was one of the best decisions of my life. Integrity, respect, and team spirit are genuinely valued here. And, of course, being able to work with my boys is really fantastic.”