Behind the Tissue: From boxing ring to mill – how I enact sustainability at WEPA

Johann Hildebrandt

What connects sporting ambition with sustainable activity in everyday work? For me it’s the mix of discipline, keeping at it, and the pleasure of making a difference each and every day – in the ring, in nature and at WEPA. 

I’ve been part of the WEPA family since 2023 and I bring my good mood to the mill every day. Anyone who knows me knows that I like to laugh a lot, it’s simply a part of me. I’ve been working as assistant production manager in paper converting since August 2024 and I quickly realised that sustainability at WEPA isn’t just a buzzword – it’s really practised. These values motivate me every day to take an active role in making processes more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient – and that’s exactly what’s important to me privately as well. 

To keep this energy going, I do a lot of sport and spend time in nature as a balance. I don’t just play tennis, I’ve now been in the boxing ring for over 15 years. I’ve done well there in seven weight classes and international fights, and I’m currently training for my next target: moving up to the heavyweight category. Boxing not only keeps me physically fit, it also teaches me discipline and mental strength, and these are qualities that I then develop further on the tennis court. For me, the same principle applies there: stamina and the will to keep going, no matter how tough the opponent is.  

When I’m fishing though I find my peace in nature, and my aim is to catch every species of fish on my bucket list. For me this means not only relaxation, but also responsibility: caring for the water, acting mindfully and protecting resources. It’s this attitude that’s reflected in my work at WEPA, because sustainability begins small and has an impact on a wider scale.

But this doesn’t stop at the water or in the ring – it accompanies me every day in my work. Discipline and perseverance help me to keep an eye on complex processes, while mindfulness of nature reminds me to use resources with responsibility. And as in sport, at WEPA it’s not just my own commitment that counts, but how we all do things together: taking responsibility together, finding solutions and keeping an eye on the complete situation. This is exactly what motivates me, because my work makes a genuine contribution – to the company, our environment and our future.

Together with WEPA, I want to show that perseverance, team spirit and a passion for sustainable transformation is what characterises us at WEPA. Why not do the same and bring in your energy and ideas as well? Together we can shape a sustainable future.