Lea Bei-der-Kellen, trainee sales, is in the Fuchs Gruppe Trainee Program, a 20-month program that gives participants comprehensive, hands-on experience across various departments working with and alongside sales.
The program includes several two-month international assignment rotations and the opportunity to contribute to ongoing projects. The program’s mission is to prepare future employees for a long-term role within the company by providing a deep understanding of Fuchs’ products, processes, and global collaboration.
In July, Lea started her secondment to Fuchs North America with a mix of anticipation, curiosity, and questions. Her goal while traveling to Fuchs Gruppe North America was to get to know the people, culture, and language, and to better understand how international collaboration works at Fuchs. Lea says, “Experiencing things first-hand on-site is, in my opinion, the best way to truly understand how a global company operates. It allows me to build relationships and gain practical insights that go far beyond what a remote perspective can offer.”
What would it be like to join a new team? To work in another language, with unfamiliar processes and routines? Keep reading to learn about Lea’s time in the United States and how she quickly adapted to a new culture and professional environment, as well as some things about America that were a bit of a shock.
My First Weeks
The welcome in Hampstead, Maryland, was warm and open. It was the small things that made arriving easier: a lunch invitation, a short hallway chat, or the familiar smell of spices from production that instantly reminded me of Fuchs Gruppe in Dissen, Germany. Still, the beginning of my time came with its challenges: a different language, a different pace, and a different feeling for communication and structure.
A New Culture
I had the opportunity to attend customer meetings, get involved with projects, and actively contribute across many departments. What stood out to me was the clear, hands-on approach to work. There was less discussion and more doing. Decisions are made with discernment, and ideas are put into action efficiently.
While adjusting to a new work environment, it was my first time in the U.S. Everything seemed to be on a bigger scale. Supermarkets felt enormous, with endless shelves and countless variations of products within one product segment. The range of flavours was striking; there were not just one or two options, but ten or twenty, often in packaging sizes that felt oversized from a European perspective.
This sense of “bigger and bolder” was also reflected in product development. Flavors and concepts appeared to be more eye-catching, more direct, and sometimes even surprising. Flavors like hot honey and dill pickle are mainstream. Not that we’re less creative in Germany, but it’s clear that the U.S. market responds more strongly to bold visuals and taste experiences. For me, this was exciting and, honestly, very tasty!
Working Across Borders
One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was the exchanges with colleagues from Brazil, China, the U.S., and Germany. There are different working styles, paces, and ways of communicating, and yet, plenty of common ground, similar challenges, and shared projects. This kind of collaboration shows that global teams can work well together, even without daily proximity, as long as there’s mutual openness to varying perspectives.
One thing is clear to me: Fuchs isn’t just an international company on paper; their mission and values translate across borders. The balance between clear direction and cultural flexibility works and makes international collaboration not just possible, but genuinely effective.
My Reflection and Appreciation
Professionally, this secondment was filled with learning. From new processes and new products, I gained different perspectives on markets and customers and experienced how varied approaches
to work can be successful. I also witnessed a style of collaboration that was different from what I am used to and saw that it can work incredibly well, as long as there’s openness and a willingness to learn from one another.
Personally, it was both an intense and valuable time for me. Joining an existing team, stepping into ongoing processes, and adjusting to a new work culture challenged me in new ways. I learned that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right away. I realized that I needed time to feel more confident, to build routines, and to find my place on the team, and that this was completely fine. Some things didn’t make sense right away, but as I spent more time and learned the American culture, I understood more. Looking back, I can see what I accomplished, step by step, even without a perfect plan.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience Fuchs North America, both professionally and personally. This shift in perspective not only generated new ideas but also gave me more confidence in navigating unfamiliar situations. At the same time, I would like to thank Fuchs Germany for making this kind of stay at one of our subsidiaries possible as part of the trainee program, and especially Fuchs North America for the warm welcome, openness, and support throughout my time at the facility in Hampstead, MD, all of which made these nine weeks such an enriching experience.
Fuchs North America will miss having Lea in the building, but we are forever grateful for the perspective and cultural knowledge she brought to our team.