Interview - Dietmar Seelos
Dietmar Seelos has been part of the Pfeifer Group for 40 years. During this time, he has worked his way up from apprentice to Managing Director, witnessed three generations of the owning family, and helped shape the company’s transformation into a modern industrial enterprise. In the interview, he reveals what he believes is the key to success.
First and foremost, I think of the place Stams. Back then, Pfeifer had leased the sawmill from Stift Stams, and that’s where I started my apprenticeship at the age of 14. Before that, I had already attended school in Stams – so in a way, it felt like a circle had come full circle.
My father ran a small sawmill on the side in Nassereith and was a locksmith by profession at Pfeifer in Imst. Sometimes I got the chance to come along on a Saturday for an emergency repair. That fascinated me: the large machines, the technology, and the way a tree becomes a product. So my connection to wood was practically ingrained in me from the start.
No, that was certainly not my goal from the very beginning. But I had a lot of passion and determination, and I made the most of the opportunities and possibilities that arose. In my view, that still characterises Pfeifer today: here, you can pursue paths that you might not have envisaged at the start.
A key moment was certainly in 1996, when at the age of 25 I was entrusted with the operational management of the sawmill in Imst. Suddenly, I had to take on responsibility and also delegate tasks to experienced employees. Launching a new era together with them had a strong influence on my subsequent career.
Forty years ago, Dietmar Seelos began his apprenticeship as a saw technician at the age of 14 at the Pfeifer sawmill in Stams. Since 2009, he has been site manager and authorised signatory in Imst.
With so many exciting projects of all sizes, it’s hard to single one out. But they all had one thing in common: a strong team was needed to make them happen. I’ve been lucky to have a cohesive, consistent team around me over the years. It’s wonderful to see what becomes possible when people work together towards a shared goal.
We discuss prices, assortments and framework conditions such as timber assortments, harvesting methods and aspects relating to biodiversity and sustainable forest management. Once the contract has been concluded, we organise harvesting and transport. The forest owner receives the agreed payment.
For me, there are three things that have remained the same over the years: the commitment to the family business, the passion for wood, and – thankfully – the name Pfeifer. When you look at the development of our industry over the past 40 years, none of this is a given.
For me, this is based on four pillars:
trust, appreciation, development and challenge, as well as communication.
Trust is essential to be able to delegate responsibility. You have to trust your employees. That is the basis for good collaboration. Appreciation is also crucial. Everyone wants their performance to be seen and acknowledged. Praise and respectful interaction are therefore essential.
Development and challenge involve nurturing employees according to their strengths. As a leader, you must recognise where someone can be supported or encouraged – and who is ready to seize opportunities. This leads to long-term success.
The fourth pillar is communication. Especially in times of digitalisation, personal exchange is more important than ever. Direct contact with employees quickly gives a sense of the mood. This allows you to address problems early, avoid misunderstandings and build trust.
Fundamentally, I’m a very ambitious person. I always try to solve tasks and challenges in the best possible way – for Pfeifer as much as for my own personal development. Over these 40 years, there have been many exciting projects and tasks. They have repeatedly confirmed to me: Dietmar, you’re in the right place here.
Of course, there were also lows and setbacks. In such situations, sometimes you need a supervisor or companion who helps you look ahead again. I had such people on my journey – and I’m grateful for that.
For me, the foundation for a successful career starts on day one with commitment and performance. This includes curiosity, a willingness to learn, and the courage to take on challenges. But just as important is mutual respect. You need to fit into a team, seek joint solutions, and be prepared to set aside your own interests at times. And one piece of advice I’d give to everyone: be patient. A career doesn’t happen in a week. It’s built from many individual steps, and a bit of luck certainly plays a part. But those who show commitment and performance will find their way.
That it remains a family business and that the fourth generation gets off to a good start. I also hope that Pfeifer continues on the path of healthy growth that the company has followed over the past 80 years. At the same time, we should always remember the basics: making decisions, implementing them, and refocusing on the raw material wood. Pfeifer will always need doers and implementers!