Matthew Joslin writes:
“Good morning Mr Merten.”
“Matthew, you are asleep!”
“Huh ? No, Mr Merten I am awake.”
“No Matthew. You are asleep, you did not see and pick up that scrap of paper from the ground.”
“Aaah. Yes, Mr Merten, you are correct. I am asleep.”
“Good morning Matthew.”
That was June of 1984, and I was just given a training session in good housekeeping practices on the shop floor by Guenther Merten, who was the managing director of Merit Malta Ltd.
Such were his methods in communicating that this would become a life-learning creed in effective management.
I first met Guenther Merten at the age of 18, an undergraduate engineering student, who by a stroke of luck landed with a sponsorship at Merit Malta. A company which was to become a pillar of strength in my life and a continuous success story to itself.
In the 32 years that I have had the honour of knowing Merten, I recall the legacy that he built around his employees, one rich in honesty, character and faith. ‘Meritians’, as he so faithfully referred to us, take his legacy further and concede that those years working for Merit were instrumental to our lives.
To have been nurtured by Merten in my formative years at Merit Malta, and later in Gummersbach, among his personal friends, the Groeger family and Tix, was just priceless. I learnt (sometimes through bitter experience) that these individuals stem from a generation of German citizens who command the highest respect.
The man was simply incredible. He was soft spoken, but firm. A leader who led through vision and followed by example. A manager who respected every employee, regardless of rank. His eyes were piercing, but radiated a comforting acceptance of wisdom and security.
To his Meritians he was an employer, an entrepreneur but most of all he was a people’s person who underscored the qualities of a perfect gentleman. The respect and loyalty from those who worked for him was well deserving.
“Matthew, I give you one last piece of advice… Remember to take care of each employee, their children and their families as it is through their loyalty that you will succeed as a manager” – June 1992 – on concluding my seven-year management training programme.
His commitment to building his workforce ran deeper than business performance achievement. It was his pledge to secure a future for each employee, their families and children.
I know I speak on behalf of all Meritians, proud employees and for some like me, bonded into a life-long friendship. His legacy will live on through his family and his Meritians.
My condolences to his family, his wife, Jost, Ute and respective families.