Meet Hannes Kinast
Marking 20 years of unity, we’re highlighting the people who shaped our journey. Meet Hannes Kinast, our COO, whose path from summer intern to the Board of Directors is a testament to curiosity, teamwork, and the power of saying “yes” to new challenges.
In this exclusive interview, Hannes shares what it felt like to step into the innovation-driven world of specialty paper, how collaboration shaped his career, and why staying active - both mentally and physically - keeps him performing at his best.
Ready to see what 20 years of delfort look like through his eyes? Let’s dive in.
Name
Hannes Kinast
Position
COO at delfort
years at delfort
20
Everything he’s not
couch potato
COO since
2024
Hannes in 3 words
team player, active & positive mindset
Do you still remember your first day at delfort?
Absolutely - my journey actually began with a summer internship at feurstein during my university years. Later, I returned to write my master’s thesis on PM2 - right in the middle of a period full of innovation, new products, and plenty of production challenges.
What struck me most wasn’t the technology, though. It was the people. The motivation, the enthusiasm, the way everyone supported each other - even as an intern, I felt part of the team from day one. Many of those colleagues are still here today. That sense of belonging and shared purpose made it obvious that I wanted to start my career at delfort.
Can you walk us through your career path?
Let me think back…
- It all started with that summer internship and my master’s thesis at feurstein PM2 (paper machine 2).
- After graduating, I became assistant to the Operations Director, focusing heavily on feurstein PM3.
- Then I moved into production management for PM3.
- In 2009, I spent a year providing technological support to dunafin.
- After that, I returned to feurstein as Production Director.
- In 2017, I took a big step abroad as Managing Director of wattens vietnam.
- When I returned, I became Technical Managing Director at feurstein.
- And in 2024, I joined the Board of Directors as COO.
It’s been quite a ride - but every step taught me something valuable.
How did delfort shape you and what makes it unique?
When I joined, delfort was still defining its group structure, which gave me the rare chance as a young engineer to contribute to groupwide projects early on. Those hands‑on experiences shaped my skills and personality more than any formal training could. What truly accelerates development here is a culture that values both performance and collaboration: if you're curious, open, and willing to work across departments, you build strong relationships and grow quickly.
This culture is shaped by our diverse products, challenging markets, and drive for innovation - and strengthened by strong teamwork across all locations, which makes delfort truly unique.
I never followed a strict career plan; by focusing on doing each job well in an environment that encourages curiosity and cross‑functional work, new opportunities naturally emerged.
What I enjoy most about working here is collegiality. People here aren’t just loyal to delfort - they’re loyal to each other. That shared drive to succeed together makes collaboration feel effortless.
Which activities outside of work help you professionally?
I grew up playing soccer, so teamwork has been part of my DNA from the start. I don’t play anymore, but the mindset stayed with me.
I’m also someone who needs movement. I’m not into extreme sports, but I love variety - walking the dog, hiking, jogging, riding, gardening. Anything that keeps me active and outdoors inspires me to stay positive and focused, guiding me to find solutions in any situation.
What advice would you give to someone starting at delfort today?
Be curious. Be collaborative. Be open to exploring topics outside your own department - that’s often where the best opportunities appear.
A company thrives when all departments work together, not when each optimizes only for itself. Approach colleagues with curiosity and openness. Build connections and you’ll quickly feel the supportive spirit that makes delfort special.
Join the paper Revolution
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