November Topic: Who do you REALLY work for? Do research and discover who really owns your company or favorite products.
By Ceone Leistner with ENJO Canada
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I represent ENJO. Our founder, CEO, and amazing leader is Johannes Engl. (Can you figure out where the company name comes from now??)
Johannes was a chef; he had no plans to start a business let alone a business that would be in over 26 countries around the world. So, how did that happen?
Back in 1985, Johannes’ father Friedrich Engl observed an oil spill on Lake Constance near his home in Austria. Watching the proceedings made him start to think that there must be a better, healthier, and more effective method of cleaning up the leaked oil. So, he began his endeavour to find a fabric that would be better to filter the oil out of the water. During this research, he found that one of the fibers he created and tested was able to clean deep into the pores of different surfaces. This was the beginning of what would become ENJO.
Johannes took his father’s idea (and that fabric) and founded ENJO in 1990. The fabric was sewn into a glove, and he went around Austria sharing how cleaning with this fuzzy mitt was so effective. Soon he developed a line of ENJO gloves and ENJOfils (drying cloths) and the idea was catching on because people realized that cleaning could be easier and more effective without being harmful to their health or the environment.
The Head Office for ENJO International remains in Austria (Vorarlberg to be exact). He 100% believes in treating his employees the best he can, and the Austrian government has recognized ENJO as a family-friendly company for many years. These happy employees produce hand-sewn fiber products that must meet his high standards but also in an environmentally friendly method. Recently, he managed to improve his climate-neutral company into a climate-positive company (because our products not only protect the environment while cleaning but also during production through to the end of their lifespan when they are collected back by the company and recycled into filler used for cushions, insulation, etc.).
Johannes’ high standards have led to OEKO-TEX certification (meaning the products are both environmentally friendly and health-preserving), and 5-Star Dermatest certification.
Johannes is an extremely down-to-earth person who admits that he loves visiting us in Canada (he says Canada holds a special place in his heart). You are bound to find him deep in conversation with anyone that wants to talk, enjoy a walk in nature, or have a blast on the dance floor. I have been fortunate enough to meet him several times. The last time he joined us at our conference in Canada he brought his daughter (Paula) with him. My husband Clint and I joined the two for breakfast one day. How often do you get to literally break bread with the founder and CEO of your company? No matter where you encounter Johannes Engl, I am confident you will be greeted with a quick “Wilkommen.”
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