As delfort celebrates 20 years of togetherness, we’re shining a spotlight on the people who made it happen. Meet Olga, President of our Sales Office in France, whose journey from an empty Paris office to leading one of our most dynamic markets is full of surprises. In this exclusive interview, she shares how persistence turned challenges into triumphs, why language was her secret weapon, and what the future of paper looks like in a world of innovation and sustainability.
Curious? Dive in and discover the story behind the success.
Name
Olga Ossola
Position
President sales office delfort france
years at delfort:
12
Olga in 3 words
Persistent. Attention to detail. Adventurous.
What inspires me?
People brave enough to rethink packaging – and the power of true collaboration
My motto
Real solutions don’t happen in the comfort zone
Olga, you’ve been with delfort for 12 years. Do you remember your very first day?
Oh yes, absolutely! I started on August 1, 2014 – and the office in Paris was… empty. Really empty! The managing director was gone, the assistant had left, and there I was in a Paris office that radiated more depression than motivation. But then came the “welcome committee”: colleagues from headquarters and other sites – all flown in just to make me feel welcome. It was so absurd that I still laugh about it today. Two months later, I moved the office to Alsace. From Paris to Strasbourg – pure revolution!
Right from the start, things moved fast. Customers were grateful that someone spoke their language. Before that, colleagues had tried to answer inquiries using Google Translate. The result? Chaos! In France, language is more than communication – it means culture, trust, and respect. For me, that was the key to building relationships and earning our customers' trust.
I love complex projects that give others headaches. That’s when the fun begins for me. I check every detail before diving in and develop solutions that truly work. The more complicated the task, the more energy I get – that’s my personal drive.
What was your biggest success during these years?
Without a doubt: breaking into one of the toughest customers in Alsace. Two colleagues before me had tried – without success. It took me four years just to get a serious conversation going. And today? From zero to 2,200 tons! We’re now the main supplier for a customer with plants in Italy, France, and the UK. In the end, quality and service won them over.
Were there any special moments with colleagues that stayed with you?
Oh yes – Lapland! A trip where colleagues and customers ended up lying in the snow together. Reindeer, winter landscapes, karaoke (okay, that stays private!) – it was simply magical. Moments like that show we’re more than a company. We’re a team that can freeze and laugh together.
But it’s not just those highlights that make the difference – it’s the daily collaboration. Whether with R&D, our sites, or the sales team: we always find a compromise. Even when things get tough, I know I’ll get support. That reliability is worth gold and makes our work not only successful but enjoyable.
And our customers feel that too. I’d say 95% of them appreciate that we don’t just deliver paper – we deliver real solutions. We share our know-how, advise, and go far beyond the product.
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Lapland with customers and colleagues - ... ending up lying in the snow
- Always there: our thinprint solutions at Pharmapack
- Creative collaboration with colleagues
Looking ahead – what will the paper industry look like in 20 years?
I strongly believe in paper – especially in new developments like food packaging. Barrier papers are the game changer. When I look 20 years ahead, I see delfort at the heart of a packaging industry that has reinvented itself.
Specialty paper will evolve into a highly functional substrate – precisely engineered, high-performing, and capable of things we still think are impossible today. And most importantly: we will have built a culture of true collaboration – with suppliers, developers, printers, converters, and machine builders. Service, science, and sustainability will go hand in hand.
That’s the path we’re already on. And we’re walking it side by side with all partners who have the courage to rethink packaging.
© Olga's colleagues from delfort France
What would Olga be without her dream team on the ground? Probably answering emails on horseback! Luckily, they’ve got the customers covered – with style, speed, and a smile.
whether on a train to clients or on horseback – Olga knows only one direction: forward
Olga is the unstoppable force behind delfort France!
She built trust, turned challenges into wins, and made specialty paper sound like the coolest thing ever. Leaflets, publishing, packaging? She’s got it covered. And when she’s not closing deals, she’s literally in the saddle – riding horses like a pro. Persistence is her superpower, and adventure is her vibe.
Join the paper Revolution
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