Angi: Eric, let’s start with where you call home. Can you tell us which town you live in and what you like most about it?
Eric: Although I was born in the United States, I have lived in Höchst for the past 54 years and feel deeply rooted here. My grandparents emigrated to the US in the 1920s, and it was only a generation later that our family returned. So, despite my American birthplace, Höchst has always been my home. What I appreciate most is its location. I live on the edge of the village, overlooking the Rhine Delta wetlands stretching all the way to Lake Constance. Being so close to nature, surrounded by open landscapes and peaceful scenery, makes this a truly special place to live.
Angi: It sounds like nature has always been close to your heart. Is there a place where you particularly enjoy spending your time?
Eric: One of my favourite places is our traditional orchard. I have many standard fruit trees that need pruning every winter. Standing high up on a ladder, with the cold north wind around me while looking out across the winter landscape of the Rhine Delta, is when I can truly switch off. The tranquillity and wide-open views help me recharge my batteries.
Image description: Eric's orchard on the north side of the property.
Angi: Let’s take a look at your professional journey. Tell us a bit about your professional background. What did you study, and how did your career begin?
Eric: After graduating from the Higher Technical College (HTL), I quickly realised that although I had a strong technical background, my real strengths lay at the intersection of engineering and business. That motivated me to complete an additional business qualification at the Higher Commercial College (HAK). My desire for continuous learning has stayed with me throughout my career. At the age of 40, I completed a part-time degree in Industrial Engineering and Management while working full-time. Combining technical expertise with business knowledge has shaped my career ever since, particularly in the areas of supply chain management, logistics, and project management. The most remarkable chapter of my career was undoubtedly my time with my first employer, the fittings manufacturer Grass in Höchst. Through commitment, hard work, and strong performance, I gradually worked my way up and, at the age of just 29, was appointed Plant Manager with responsibility for more than 500 employees. I was in charge of production, production planning, engineering, and technical operations.
Angi: You’ve now been with Identec Solutions for many years. What do you do at Identec Solutions, and when did you join the company?
Eric: I joined Identec Solutions 15 years ago and have been responsible for the company’s global supply chain ever since.
Angi: Looking at your role today, what do you enjoy most about your job?
Eric: The most rewarding part of my job is seeing everything come together successfully at the end of a project. Our projects require many different areas to work seamlessly together—from the supply chain and engineering teams to the customer’s specific requirements. It is highly motivating when every component is coordinated on time, and the customer receives exactly the solution they expected, when they need it.
Angi: Is there a guiding principle that influences the way you work?
Eric: My personal motto is: “Look beyond your own horizon.” I always try to see the bigger picture and make decisions that consider the needs of the entire organisation, not just my own department. I believe this leads to better and more sustainable solutions.
Angi: What is the most fulfilling part of your work?
Eric: What I enjoy most is seeing colleagues take ownership and contribute their own ideas for improvement. Watching those ideas develop through collaboration and eventually become successful solutions that deliver better results is incredibly rewarding.
Angi: Over the past 15 years, supply chain management has evolved dramatically. How has your work in supply chain management changed over that time?
Eric: Supply chain management has become significantly more complex over the past 15 years. Because we operate internationally, we now have to deal with far more country-specific regulations, customs requirements, and logistics processes—particularly in countries across the Southern Hemisphere. At the same time, events such as the pandemic and geopolitical developments have had a major impact on global supply chains, making flexibility more important than ever. One of the biggest changes over the past years has been the growing use of artificial intelligence. AI supports me every day with research, translations, and document preparation, allowing me to work much more efficiently.
Angi: At Identec Solutions, we have five company values: Visionary, Open, Responsible, Leading, and Global. Which one is most important to you, and how do you live it in your daily work?
Eric: For me, the most important value is Responsible. In supply chain management, our decisions directly affect customers, suppliers, and the success of the business. That’s why I believe it’s essential to identify risks early, communicate transparently, and take ownership of finding solutions. This helps ensure reliable supply chains and enables us to provide the best possible service to our customers.
Angi: When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing in your free time? Do you have any hobbies or special interests?
Eric: I have been researching my family history for the past 45 years. I also volunteer in my hometown, where I am responsible for the local heritage museum and its exhibition depot. Our latest project is restoring a historic corn and grain mill built in 1915, which has been out of operation for more than 50 years. Besides that, I look after around 70 fruit trees, including 30 traditional standard trees.
Image description: Corn and Grain Mill
Angi: Wow, that's a lot of trees! The restoration project sounds fascinating. How did the project to restore the 1915 mill come about?
Eric: Together with several colleagues, I have been volunteering for the municipality of Höchst for many years. Our goal is to preserve the history of our community for future generations. The owners of the old mill approached us and asked whether we would like to feature it in the municipal newsletter. During our visit, we immediately recognised the historical building value and agreed that it was far too important to be lost. That was the beginning of the restoration project.
Angi: Genealogy has clearly been a passion of yours for many years. How did you become interested in genealogy, and what still fascinates you about it today?
Eric: Both of my parents were only children, so I grew up without aunts, uncles, cousins, or a large extended family. In addition, our family was spread across different continents. Naturally, I became curious about my roots and started researching my family history when I was just 15 years old. What continues to fascinate me is how documents, photographs, and personal stories gradually come together to reveal the lives of previous generations.
Angi: After decades of research, you must have uncovered some incredible stories. What has been the most exciting discovery you’ve made through your genealogical research?
Eric: There have actually been two remarkable discoveries. The first was finding out that my wife and I share the same ancestors from around 380 years ago—roughly eleven generations back. Although we only met in modern times, our family lines were already connected in the 17th century. The second fascinating discovery came through researching my daughter-in-law’s family tree. We found that one of her ancestors was a Russian prince. Through that branch of the family, her lineage can be traced back both to the medieval Baltic nobility and to the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople. This is how the story continues.
Image description: Markus Wallner (Governor of Vorarlberg) and Eric at the Recognition for Dedicated Volunteer Service (l).
One of Eric's genealogy projects with 18 US citizens getting to know some details about their grandpa (r).
Angi: Eric, thank you for sharing your story. From leading global supply chains to preserving local history, it's inspiring to see how curiosity and a willingness to look beyond the horizon have shaped your life.
Eric: Thank you, Angi. It was a pleasure to share a little about my journey. I’m grateful for the opportunity to look back, and I hope my story encourages others to stay curious, keep learning, and always look beyond their own horizon.
Video description: Grain Mill
Sources: Images and Videos - Eric Jaeger