«It’s all because of the hot chocolate,» says Dario Füchslin with a wink, explaining why he joined the Rotodur company. There’s some truth to that, even if cause and effect are slightly distorted. In fact, his father Rolf would occasionally invite him along during his childhood: «Come on, let’s pop into the office for a quick cup of hot chocolate.» This childish equation — business = overly sweet chocolate from the vending machine — stuck with him, even though little Dario had virtually no idea what was actually being produced there.
After finishing middle school and high school, Füchslin Jr. enrolled at the University of Bern to study business administration and, it seems, to pursue entrepreneurship. Less than two semesters later, he realized: too much theory, too little practice. He gained that practical experience during the holidays at the company, where his manual dexterity was discovered and his tasks became increasingly challenging. «I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and liked seeing the results.»
After talking with his parents, it was clear that he would focus his career path on the family business. He found out that there was a 2-year instead of a 4-year apprenticeship to become a polymechanic, but first he had to find a company that was ready to train him. He found a receptive ear and open doors at a client’s, and did such a good job that his superior would have liked to keep him on. But Dario’s path was laid out. By the way, Dario’s grandfather — who, incidentally, was the founder of Rotodur — had worked for the same employer, who later became a client.
In August 2022, the time had finally come: the junior boss officially joined the company and was thoroughly trained in sales management by his predecessor. He processes orders, performs quality control, compiles measurement reports, and ensures that orders are delivered on time. His newest — and perhaps most challenging — area of responsibility is preparing quotes. He is also taking on more and more responsibility in marketing. And because business administration is, after all, a key driver of entrepreneurship, Dario is currently attending classes at a technical college.