In today's time, working at the same company for way too long is unheard of - people like to change jobs to entertain factors such as a pay raise, a change in position, a different industry, or simply, a change in our work environment. However, this man has broken a Guinness World Record for being employed at the same company for over 84 years. Yes, you read that right!
Walter Orthmann has officially set the Guinness World Record for the longest career in the same company. The 100-year-old has worked at a textile company called Industrias Renaux SA (now known as ReneauxView) situated in Santa Catarina, Brazil, for more than eight decades.?
The record was verified on January 6, 2022. At that time, Walter had spent 84 years and nine days at the same company.
Mr Orthmann started working as a shipping assistant at the company when he was 15 years old. Born in Brusque, a small town in Santa Catarina, he would walk barefoot to school to study and then practice at home. He possessed a brilliant memory and attention to detail. His family went through financial struggles which pushed him to begin work at an early age.?He was hired at Industrias Renaux SA due to his proficiency in the German language.
Shortly after his employment began at the company, he was promoted to a position in sales.?He was later promoted to the position of Sales Manager.?
"I was given the opportunity to work as a salesperson. I travelled to S?o Paulo and in less than one week I filled the production with orders equivalent to three months of work," Walter told Guinness World Records.?
Mr Orthmann believes that the best part about having a job is that it gives you a sense of purpose, commitment, and a routine. Having worked there for more than 84 years, he definitely witnessed several changes in the company, the country, and the world.?
According to Mr Orthmann, one of the most important parts of the business is to always be up-to-date and to adapt to different contexts.?
Walter turned 100 years old on April 19, 2022, and his milestone birthday was celebrated by his coworkers, friends and family.He exercises every day and is in good health, with excellent mental clarity and memory.
"When we do what we like, we don't see the time go by," he said.
He added, "I don’t do much planning, nor care much about tomorrow. All I care about is that tomorrow will be another day in which I will wake up, get up, exercise and go to work; you need to get busy with the present, not the past or the future. Here and now is what counts. So, let’s go to work!"
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