In today’s interview, we talked to Adrián Varga, internal logistics officer at Autóflex-KNOTT. Welcome!
How long have you been a member of the Autóflex-KNOTT Kft. team? How did you find this opportunity?
A.V.: I have been working in the Autóflex team since October 2015, so it’s been almost 10 years. I was preparing for my thesis and language exam when this opportunity came my way. My colleague Zsolti Kerekes was looking for someone for a warehouse position, and as he had known me for a long time, he recommended me – and I was finally hired.
Is this your first position here? If not, how did you start your career and how did you get to your current position?
A.V.: This was not my first position with the company, but I feel that the current one represents the biggest professional challenge. Previously, I worked in the semi-finished warehouse, so I gained an overall picture of how the logistics system works. I started as a warehouse picker for the first two years. I loved serving the plants, but seeing a potential for development, I accepted to put my knowledge to good use in the semi-finished goods receiving department. At the end of 2024, my colleague Zsolti Kerekes contacted me again, saying that the management was creating a new position in connection with the implementation of the Infor LN system, and they thought of me. I accepted this honourable trust. This milestone came in February 2025, when I became an internal logistics officer.
What steps have you taken to develop professionally? Were there any training courses, courses or mentors that were particularly influential for you?
A.V.: I took a forklift training course immediately after starting my job and this proved to be sufficient for my current position. As my degree is in geography and land development, not logistics, I will probably have to do a logistics course in the future. As mentors I would mention Anette Ujhidy and Zsolti Kerekes, because they taught me the most about the world of warehousing. My current supervisor, Tamás Sándor, Production Manager, will certainly be a key mentor for me, and he will give me all the support I need in my new role. We have also learned a lot from each other: the plant material handlers, team leaders and plant managers have all contributed to my development. From the very beginning, I have strived to achieve my maximum and to constantly expand my knowledge. I always looked into issues concerning warehousing and was not satisfied with half solutions. Perhaps this conscientious attitude is the basis of my current professional knowledge.
What are your personal motivations in your work? What drives you forward in your daily life?
A.V.: I like solving problems and working in a team. My goal is to run an internal logistics system that is efficient, sustainable in the long term and reliable – because this is the only way to get the finished product to our export warehouse.
What do you consider your greatest professional success at Autóflex-KNOTT Ltd?
A.V.: It is difficult to single out a specific success, but I definitely consider it an achievement that I was able to succeed in a profession that is not the same as my original qualification and that I was given the confidence to take on another position. I am proud to have been the first in the country to work on and manage a mobile shelving system such as the one in the semi-finished warehouse. The retrieval and transfer of stock was initially done from paper blocks – the digitisation and development of this was done during my time as a commissioner. Many people don’t know this, but I also took the drone footage of the company a few years ago.
What challenges do you face in your daily work and how do you deal with them?
A.V.: The biggest challenge is that this position is completely new, I had no predecessor, so I had no one to train me or give me experience. In addition, my job change coincided with a change in a corporate management system, which adds to the complexity. At the same time, this gives me the biggest professional challenge of my day: to develop internal logistics processes that meet the company’s needs to the maximum.
Why do you like working at Autóflex-KNOTT Ltd? What values does the company represent for you?
A.V.: One of the company’s greatest values for me is its stability and the fact that it listens to the needs of its employees. There is room for development – as my example shows.
How would you describe the working atmosphere and teamwork? How is the cooperation with your colleagues?
A.V.: The working atmosphere is friendly and cooperation with colleagues is smooth. This is based on the quality of human relations, and I try to find common ground with everyone – this is the only way to achieve good teamwork and a good atmosphere.
How do you unwind and recharge from the weekdays? What helps you to recharge?
A.V.: In a word: family. My favourite pastime is spending time with our children – outings, walks, bike rides. We also love gardening. I’m almost always tinkering: either building a climbing frame with my dad, or installing an irrigation system, or paving a square. These chores also relax me at home, they don’t feel like a burden. Unfortunately, this means that I have little time for video editing, which is also a hobby of mine. What still keeps me going is yoga – I’ve been doing it weekly for two years now.
What would you say to those who already work here or want to join Autóflex-KNOTT Ltd.?
A.V.: To those who work here, I would say to be persistent in everyday life and, more importantly, to have more understanding towards each other. It may be a cliché, but it is true: “We are all in the same boat.” And if we are all pulling in the same direction, with that much effort we can do wonders. To those who want to join now, Autóflex is a good choice if you are looking for a reliable workplace with a solid foundation, a growing and pleasant atmosphere.
Thank you for talking to Adrián Varga!