On the occasion of CK’s 80th anniversary, Edy Erpelding shares a few memories and anecdotes from his career. Having joined in 2009, he is now Facility Manager for the group.
1 What motivated you to join CK more than 15 years ago? Tell us about the key stages of your career.
Before joining CK, I was managing a sports store. At the time, the retail sector was going through a difficult period, particularly with the rise of e-commerce. With my experience in B2C sales and my fluency in the five languages commonly used in Luxembourg, I was looking for a new professional challenge.
I already knew CK very well, both for its reputation in Luxembourg and as a client through my company for the “printing” side. I also had friendly relationships with people in the company, including members of management, who gave me the opportunity to retrain in consulting and B2B sales—an environment in which I quickly found new fulfillment. Most CK clients know me for the “printing” side, as I was responsible for selling Konica Minolta printing solutions, our long-standing partner.
But I’m someone who always likes to broaden my skills, and I also felt the need to diversify. So I took evening classes at LSC in property management for one year, at the end of which I obtained my certification in property and co-ownership management. This training enabled me to acquire solid knowledge in the technical and organizational management of buildings, which proved to be a real asset for the next steps in my career.
Following an internal job opening, I am now Facility Manager, where I can make full use of both my technical and interpersonal skills.
2 My current role within the Facility Service and what I enjoy about my work
In my current role, my main responsibility is to ensure the well-being, safety, and health of all group employees. As the designated safety officer, I am responsible for assessing occupational risks and implementing the corresponding preventive measures.
I make sure that all employees have the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for their tasks and that they use it correctly. I also ensure that all equipment is in good condition, properly maintained, and that all maintenance operations are carried out within the required timeframes.
Finally, together with my team, we are responsible for the technical monitoring of the buildings, including maintenance of installations, inspection of safety equipment, and management of regulatory checks carried out by approved bodies.
What I particularly enjoy about this job is its versatility: it combines technical rigor, risk prevention, and a constant focus on employee comfort and safety.
3 My wishes for the future of the Facility Service and CK
In the coming years, I would like the Facility Service to continue evolving our infrastructure toward more digitalized solutions and improved energy efficiency. For example, with the implementation of connected systems for building management, real-time consumption monitoring, and predictive maintenance, which I see as key development priorities.
I also hope that the department will further strengthen its role as a cross-functional support for all group buildings: CK Business Center, CK Hub,CK Sportcenter, CK Fitness…
For CK, my wish is that the company continues to grow while preserving its core values: proximity, trust, stability, and quality of service.
4 A memorable moment or anecdote from my career at CK
One of the most memorable moments of my career at CK is undoubtedly the various incentive trips with the Konica Minolta Europe teams. I particularly remember the day I had the honor of being personally congratulated by Kazuyuki Tsukamoto, General Manager International Sales Division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, and Keiji Okamoto, President of Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe.
Being recognized among the brand’s top representatives across the continent was an immense source of pride. It’s a great recognition of the work we do in Luxembourg.
The evening that followed, in Ibiza, will also stay with me forever—but… what happens in Ibiza stays in Ibiza! 😉
5 What has remained unchanged in CK’s spirit and values
Since I started, I have seen CK evolve, modernize, and grow, but certain things have remained constant, such as solidarity, human closeness, and the desire to do things well. These values have been deeply rooted in the company’s culture for many years now. Being both a witness to and a contributor to this evolution makes me proud, as I am now part of CK’s history.
Beyond technological developments and new economic challenges, CK has managed to preserve this family-oriented and collaborative spirit, which is the foundation of its success and longevity.