At Jampen AG, the last Friday of the month is about more than just work. The staff come together for beer, traditional braided bread and Bernese shaved cheese at the ‘Jampen After-Work Social’. They talk about their projects, the weekend ahead or their families.

Managing Director Fabienne Walther describes the company’s culture as “very family-oriented” and “anything but wooden”. Word gets around. Employees often bring in new recruits and many remain loyal to the company for years. Just recently, a carpenter retired after 44 years with Jampen AG. “That says a lot about us.”

The business was founded in 1927 by Friedrich Jampen, the great-grandfather of the current co-owner, Lukas Jampen. Lukas is a member of the fourth generation to leave their mark on the family business. What began as a joinery workshop has continued to develop over the decades. Timber construction was introduced in the 1970s. The site in Seftigen, near Thun, has remained constant.

Today, Jampen AG employs around 45 staff. The management team values different perspectives. Alongside Lukas Jampen, Globetrotter CEO André Lüthi and former SCB goalkeeper Marco Bührer are co-owners. The Board of Directors deliberately brings together diverse expertise. “We’ve already got plenty of woodworking experts in the company,” says Lukas Jampen.

Fabienne Walther is also someone who has changed careers: after completing a commercial apprenticeship in the automotive industry, followed by a degree in tourism and then business administration, her career path led her into the timber industry. She particularly values the company’s direct communication and the opportunity to bring ideas to life quickly. “You can get stuck into something and see the results straight away.”

Woodworking is often seen as a conservative industry. That’s precisely why innovation is so important to Jampen AG. The company invests in the latest technologies, pays above-average wages and embraces a modern brand identity. High-quality, unconventional, down-to-earth and charming – these are the values of Jampen AG. As Fabienne Walther rattles them off effortlessly, Lukas Jampen thinks for a moment – and smiles to himself.

The company is active primarily in the region and in the canton of Bern. “We do almost everything involving wood,” says Fabienne Walther. The only exceptions are kitchens and furniture. “Terraces and, in particular, windows are our speciality. It’s rare to find carpentry and window construction under the same roof, which means we can offer a particularly broad range of services.

Competition is fierce and margins are tight. In the small village of Seftigen alone, there are three competitors. Jampen AG distinguishes itself through quality, service and long-term customer relationships. “People appreciate that we’re approachable and take the time for them,” says Walther. Small gestures are part of it too: once an order has been confirmed, the apprentices write a handwritten card to the customer to thank them.

Training also plays a key role. Around one third of the workforce are apprentices. Many remain loyal to the company or return at some point. Three of the six project managers have a Jampen background. The company has no shortage of skilled workers, thanks in part to its long-standing commitment to professional education and training.

Almost 100 years of company history creates not only pride, but also a strong sense of responsibility. Lukas Jampen took on a leading role at the company early on. A qualified carpenter, he studied business psychology and completed further training in leadership and business administration.

The high standards he set for himself and the responsibility he felt for the family business took their toll. Eventually, depression caused by burnout forced him to take a break and reassess his role as an entrepreneur. He reflected on his experience in a book (see box).

Today, Jampen continues to play both a strategic and operational role in the company, while responsibility for management rests with the executive board. “I’m not the boss any more...” he says, smiling. One of the most important lessons he learned was the importance of working together and focusing on the essentials.

Lukas Jampen and Fabienne Walther are optimistic about the future of Jampen AG: “In 2027, we’ll celebrate our centennial. After that, our focus will be on the next 100 years.”