Egon the upholsterer
The open space of the upholstery workshop is a hive of activity.
The rhythmic beat of the staple guns and the steady hum of the sewing machines create an energetic atmosphere.
At the heart of this creative chaos is Egon, an experienced furniture upholsterer.
His unwavering dedication to the craft is evident in the meticulous precision he brings to every task, a testament to the wealth of experience and expertise he has accumulated over decades.
“I’m Egon – or Tarzan, as my grandchildren call me,” he remarks with a smile, hinting at a story behind the nickname.
“At 73, I’ve been part of this factory since June 2009. I originally trained as a furniture upholsterer in 1968, when it was still called an upholsterer.”
“Actually, I don’t know why I became a furniture upholsterer. But there happened to be a furniture factory opposite my school when I was a boy,” he recalls.
“I got a job there, and I’ve been working with furniture ever since. From the early years as an apprentice to later becoming a master craftsman, my whole working life has been linked to furniture upholstery. I haven’t worked in many different places and stayed in one place for 25 years as I’m not someone who changes jobs often.”
Egon is a key figure in the introduction of new models in the upholstery workshop.
“I’ve been here so long that I think I’ve been involved in every piece of furniture we’ve produced over the years. Now we’ve started working with Finn Juhl furniture, and I find that enormously satisfying. Every element has to meet the standard of perfection, every little detail. That gives me incredible satisfaction.”
Considering the development of his profession, Egon remarks,
“Today, not many men choose the profession of furniture upholsterer, which I find unfortunate. The work I do requires strength; it’s a physically demanding job. One of the reasons I keep working is to stay physically active. That’s something I really value.”
In addition to his professional activities, Egon, nicknamed Tarzan, devotes a large part of his time to maintaining his fitness, and his commitment is truly impressive.
“Staying in shape is my top priority. In addition to my work, I invest a lot of time in exercise,” he says.
“Twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, I spend an hour and a half in the gym and finish the workout with forty-five minutes of spinning. On Tuesdays, I lead a walking group that covers about 6 kilometers, and I often add another 4-5 kilometers on my own. The rest of the week I continue to go on numerous walks. Last summer, my kids found out that I walked 357.2 kilometers during a three-week vacation, as recorded by my cell phone. Now you probably understand why my grandchildren call me Tarzan.”
“I live in Bramming, not far from here. My grandchildren and great-grandchildren also live there. I want to be close to them. Some of them live just a five-minute walk away, and my great-grandchildren often come by when they want to hear a few imaginative stories from their great-grandfather. Our time together is always happy.”