1. February 2016 Volume 21 I Number 12
39PERSONALITY PROFILE
The Personality Profile is sponsored by Geberit
Rainer Steinschaden, Atlas Plastics’ sales manager
for the south-eastern region (which encompasses
KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape) took an
unusual route to get to where he is today, but every
step was worth it.
The path to Steinschaden’s current position was an
unusual one. He left school in grade 10 for personal
reasons and, after taking an aptitude test, decided to
study a hotel and catering management diploma at
Damelin. Soon after receiving his diploma, Steinschaden
moved onto a BCom, which he is currently busy with. But,
over and above his formal studies, Steinschaden credits
books read, podcasts listened to, and time spent with
industry leaders as being the most influential sources of
knowledge in his life.
Steinschaden’s career at Atlas Plastics happened almost
incidentally. “My business mentor and MMA [mixed
martial arts] sensei, who was the managing director
of Atlas Plastics at the time, offered me a position
within the company,” said Steinschaden. He moved
into an operational position in order to gain experience
in the industry and to learn the
advantages of different polymers
and the manufacturing processes
that Atlas Plastics uses today.
As a sales manager, Steinschaden’s
current responsibilities include
establishing and maintaining a
functional supply chain, ensuring
that Atlas Plastics has a national
footprint. “I’m also responsible
for ensuring stable growth
through technical specifications
in conjunction with professional
service providers. We have learned that, in this ever-
evolving, fast-paced market place, the key to our
success is increasing our brand awareness, strategic
collaborations and building a lifelong clientele base.”
Of his work philosophy, Steinschaden said, “It’s quite
simple really: my work is my business to me and I run
and manage it as such. I see myself as an entrepreneur
rather than an employee.” PA
Rainer Steinschaden –
The road less travelled
Rainer Steinschaden of Atlas Plastics shares the
interesting story of how he got to where he is today
By: Kelly-Ann Prinsloo – writer
“It’s quite simple
really: my work
is my business to
me and I run and
manage it as such.”
Rainer Steinschaden
loves his industry.