This year, we’re celebrating 40 years of G&D – a period marked by many milestones and events. But what makes these 40 years truly special? As part of our anniversary celebrations, we want to share the company’s story through the eyes of those who’ve helped shape it in various roles. In our blog series, we’ll provide four unique and personal perspectives on this journey.
Part 4 – Inside G&D: How our employees experience the company – perspectives from Germany and the U.S.
In the final part of our anniversary blog series, we’re taking you behind the scenes at G&D – through the voices of the people who shape our company every single day. We start with Hendrik Müller, who has been with G&D since 1995. He reflects on his journey from sales, to building our marketing department, and later to leading customer training sessions – and shares what still drives him after all these years.
Next, we speak with Matt Keske from our U.S. team. He offers a look at what G&D culture feels like in North America, how collaboration across the Atlantic comes to life, and how both locations continue to learn from each other.
Together, their stories provide an authentic glimpse into daily life at G&D – and into the many perspectives, experiences, and personalities that make our company what it is.
1. Hendrik, how long have you been with G&D – and do you still remember your first day?
I joined G&D back in 1995 – and funnily enough, my first day was also my job interview. At the time, we were still based in Wilnsdorf, and I had no idea how many years I would eventually spend here. I started in sales – our product portfolio was still quite small then, with our educational network as the main offering. As someone coming from a different professional background, everything was new to me, but I quickly felt at home at G&D.
Over time, through my sales experience and the valuable feedback we received from customers, the idea of creating a marketing department began to grow and I was fortunate to help build it from the ground up. In the following 13 years, I accompanied major milestones such as our first logo redesign, the first collaboration with an agency, and our very first ad. Trade shows also became a key part of my work. Our debut at CeBIT show in 1997 in Hanover was quite an adventure: we built the booth furniture ourselves and showcased the technology on plexiglass stands.
As our products evolved and became more complex, training sessions soon became essential. When I started offering trainings around 15 years ago, it was still somewhat unusual – today, it’s a standard part of the sales process. Customers value being able to use and adapt the systems to their needs. This development also changed my role: it allowed me to work even more directly with people again, while building something new at the same time.
2. What has motivated you to stay with G&D for so many years?
My connection to G&D comes from the fact that I’ve been able to shape the company in so many different ways over the years – first in sales, then in establishing the marketing department, and later in training. When you’ve been part of a company’s development for that long, you don’t just walk away.
What also keeps me going is the joy I take in my work, my enthusiasm for our products, and – above all – the people. In trainings, I meet a wide range of personalities, and it’s always great to see how connections develop between people who barely knew each other at the start. The trust our customers place in us is G&D’s greatest asset, and I want to do my part to ensure that this trust continues to be well earned.
3. Was there a moment when you thought: This is exactly why I work at G&D?
Absolutely, those moments occur again and again. They’re usually when someone shows me that our work truly makes a difference. For example, when someone says after a training session, “That was exactly what we needed.” Or when a customer returns after a conversation and tells us, “This fits our requirements perfectly.” Feedback like that means a lot to me because it shows we’ve created something that genuinely helps people.
I believe we should never stop striving to go the extra mile – that’s what G&D stands for to me. And because I work directly with our customers, I get to experience those reactions firsthand. It’s motivating every single time – and luckily, I get to experience it often.
A perspective from the U.S.
Although G&D’s roots lie in Germany, the company has grown into an international organization. To understand what the G&D culture looks like on the other side of the world, we spoke with Matt Keske, Director of Business Development, Broadcast & Entertainment in the United States. He has been part of the team for over two years and shares what makes G&D special from this side of the Atlantic.
1. Matt, what made you join G&D, and how did you first hear about the company?
I first heard about G&D while working for a systems integrator that was actually one of their customers. I wasn’t familiar with the company at the time, but the design engineer I worked with mentioned this German KVM manufacturer known for building really solid, dependable systems.
So, I asked around – and everyone I talked to said the same thing: “G&D’s products just work.” It’s that kind of consistent feedback that made a real impression on me.
So when I later heard about the position opening up here in North America due to my predecessor’s retirement, I jumped at the chance. It felt like the perfect opportunity to join a company with a great reputation and be part of a team that genuinely takes pride in what they build.
2. How would you describe working with teams across different regions – for example, between the U.S. and Germany?
It’s been a really positive and rewarding experience. Working with our colleagues in Germany, many of which have been with the company for quite awhile, gives us the best of both worlds – their experience of precision and engineering excellence combined with the customer-focused flexibility we bring in the U.S.
There are naturally some differences in how we approach things, but that’s part of what makes it work so well. The collaboration is built on mutual respect and trust. Everyone brings their strengths to the table, and we all share the same goal: delivering reliable, high-performance solutions and supporting our customers in the best possible way.
3. What do you enjoy most about working at G&D?
For me, it comes down to the people I work with and the overall mindset here. Everyone genuinely cares, not just about the products, but about doing right by our customers and being a problem solver. There’s a sense of pride and ownership that runs through the whole company.
4. G&D has its roots in Germany, but every location has grown its own culture. What would you say defines the spirit of G&D in the U.S.?
The U.S. Team has a real entrepreneurial spirit. We have such a small team here, that we naturally have to wear multiple hats and pull together as a team.
40 Years of G&D
What are your wishes for G&D’s anniversary – and for the future?
Hendrik: For the anniversary, I wish G&D continued success and many good decisions that will carry the company strongly into the future.
Matt: I wish G&D ongoing success, innovation, teamwork, and the family spirit that made the first 40 years so remarkable. I’m proud to be a small part of this story and look forward to the next chapter. My hope is that in another 40 years, our customers will still say what they say today: “G&D’s products just work.”
>> Other articles you might be interested in:
40 Years – 4 Perspectives: G&D Through Four Different Lenses – Part 2 – On Track for Tomorrow
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