Corporate culture - What we stand for

We are all on a first-name basis - and have been since 1990

On my first day at igus, I found the way things were done somewhat unusual. Instead of closed office doors, there are only open spaces, organised with yellow pylons. Everyone can talk to everyone else. We are all on very familiar terms with each other. And the management is right in the middle of it. This ensures fast, easy decision-making channels. I had never experienced anything like it before, but I was immediately taken with it.

Kristiina Arnold

Requirement Engineer Digital

The igus solar system

When large companies emerged with the start of the industrial revolution, their organisation was modelled on the military. Our organisational model is different. In the igus solar system, which we have embraced since the 1990s, the customer is at the centre of our work. Like the sun, they give us light and energy. Light in the form of ideas. Energy in the form of money. The igus teams are organised around the customer, sometimes spontaneously, in order to get new ideas and wishes off the ground quickly. Leadership sees itself as a satellite that picks up and passes on signals from inside and outside the system, from employees, customers, suppliers and politics.

As a company, it is our job to provide our colleagues with the resources and the atmosphere in which they enjoy working. "Away with the boss. Bring on the customer. Everyone is a manager." We are working to ensure that everyone at igus can achieve the best for our customers even without bosses.

igus drivers

The igus drivers show on one page what we need as orientation and tools for our work. In addition to the solar system, the drivers include the guiding star "Perffect" for our customers as well as rules for internal cooperation. Our ultimate goal: the success of our colleagues through the success of our customers!

To the PDF of the igus drivers

igus leadership

Our leadership programme is based on the three principles of truth, performance and love, which can be used to build any form of very good organisation - just as any other colour can be mixed from the three primary colours cyan, magenta and yellow. This programme serves as our compass for continuous improvement and is also anchored in our declaration of principles.

To the PDF of our set of values with the three principles

To the policy statement of igus SE & Co. KG

Open & flexible - the igus factory

The architecture of our headquarters in Cologne even follows the guiding principle of the customer as the sun at the centre of our activities. From a distance, the sun-yellow pylons can be seen pointing up into the sky that support the factory building. For this reason, there are no walls at all, and it can be flexibly redesigned and extended.

Learn more about the igus factory

Making a difference together with igus employees

Making a difference together - working at igus

Our innovative strength and rapid realisation of ideas are the basis of our success. And this works best in flat hierarchies. With open communication at all levels in open workplaces. Everyone can speak to everyone and express honest criticism, develop freely and take on responsibility. This encourages fresh ideas and helps us to keep ourselves in constant motion.Our diversity also moves us: at the main entrance to igus Cologne, we have printed our solar system relief with flags from the 80 countries of origin of the colleagues here. We experience every day that diversity makes us better.

igus digital: work from home

Working from home is an integral part of our organisation. Chats and video conferences via MS Teams, access to our servers from home or centralised data sources on the intranet help to make working from home as convenient and efficient as possible. We see remote working as an opportunity and a useful addition to the exchange on the igus campus. Find out more about digital working and our digital products and services here.

igus learning factory

The learning factory helps us place the right people with the right qualifications in the right spot in our production process. It does this as quickly and smoothly as possible, from the very first trial work to training to individual development and promotion. In order to achieve this, we have organised all the instruments such as welcome day, learning units, tests, etc. under the umbrella of the learning factory.

igus Academy

Further professional and personal training, lifelong learning: we offer our employees this opportunity with our igus Academy. Language courses, behavioral and sales training, lean management, design and marketing tools, IHK courses with certificate, leadership training and many other content are part of the programme. This is constantly being expanded to include new topics that our colleagues need or would like to see.

Lean by igus

Lean management is an important pillar at igus. We are convinced that by continuously improving and streamlining our processes over the long term, we can create priceless value for ourselves and our customers - and thus remain competitive. That is why we have developed a training programme with a close practical focus for all factory employees, aimed at gradual further development. The aim is to embed both the knowledge of Lean principles and the motivation to actively and independently shape one’s work according to the Lean philosophy.

Apprentice program with own start-up

You've finished school and now what? If you would like to experience working at igus, you can either do an internship or join one of our apprenticeships or dual study programmes directly. Our trainees even have the opportunity to run their own company - our start-up reguse, founded in 2021. The idea behind it: technology that is to be discarded is processed and sold to igus employees at reasonable prices. This reduces our e-waste and we also donate the proceeds to sustainable projects.

igus kidz

Seeing more of the world at a young age, getting to know other people and cultures and experiencing everyday working life in foreign countries. We enable the children of long-serving employees to do an internship of up to six weeks in one of our 37 branches worldwide. Whether from Germany to the world or from another country to our headquarters in Cologne. With our igus kidz programme, we open the door to the world, where children from the age of 18 can gain their very own experiences.

Celebrate together

As a Rhineland company, we like to celebrate - preferably together. At our annual summer party, all employees and their families can enjoy the beautiful weather with live events and refreshments. We alternate each year between celebrating the igus Ball at the end of the year in elegant evening attire and celebrating the igus Carnival Ball at the beginning of the year in a carnival-themed atmosphere.

We value diversity and tolerance

igus officially signed the "Diversity Charter" in July 2023. In doing so, we are supporting the Diversity Initiative and sending out a clear signal in favour of diversity and tolerance in the world of work. We are committed to fostering respectful interaction and an unbiased, appreciative working relationship among our employees and partners.

igus is a member of the Next Level Mittelstand initiative

igus supports medium-sized companies

We are a member of the ‘Next Level Mittelstand’ initiative, which is committed to strengthening and advancing Germany’s SME sector. Together with other companies, we want to drive forward the digital transformation and promote the transfer of knowledge. Our commitment is therefore in line with our values of boldly moving forward and driving forward customer-centred technologies.