"My whole family
was team PUMA."

“Rudolf was a great man. A very nice and lovely boss.” Those are the words of Rosemarie Krüger, an early PUMA employee. She worked as a seamstress and knew our founder personally. On the occasion of International Women’s Month, we had a chat with her. Find out what it was like to work for Rudolf Dassler and how the company changed over time.

Without women, there would have been no PUMA. When Rudolf Dassler started PUMA in 1948, he took 14 employees from the old Dassler Brothers factory with him. Eight of the employees were women.

Starting straight after school at the age of 14, Rosemarie Krüger stayed at the company up until her retirement. If you are ever in our headquarters in Herzogenaurach, at the main entrance you will find an archive exhibit of the old sewing machines that were used at the time. Here, CATch Up met with Rosemarie Krüger to reflect on some “retro moments”.

You knew our founder Rudolf Dassler – what kind of guy was he? 

Rosemarie Krüger: Rudolf was a great man. A very nice and lovely boss. Always down-to-earth. He did not mind getting his hands dirty. His whole family was amazing. Also, Rudolf was a very clean guy. Way more handsome than the adidas boss. 

How did your career at PUMA look like?  

Rosemarie Krüger: I worked at PUMA from 1956-1993. I started my three-year apprenticeship as a shoe factory worker when I was 14 years old. Back then, we apprentices had to learn everything. We had to work in every department and even helped clean the sewing room.  

After I got pregnant, I took some time off from work so I could care for my children. However, when they were old enough, I began to work again – from home. The materials I needed for sewing were brought to me in plastic bags. I really loved my job and had a lot of fun. I would still work for PUMA today, if the manufacturing took place in Germany.  

What was the best thing about your job at PUMA? 

Rosemarie Krüger: The best thing was our team spirit and cohesion. We had amazing working conditions and very nice parties. 

Does anyone from your family still work at PUMA?

Rosemarie Krüger: My husband used to work at PUMA too – we didn’t meet there, we were actually neighbours! Now my son, Thomas Krüger, works here. He also did an apprenticeship at PUMA. He works in technical service development footwear.

“No one was allowed to wear adidas at home. As crazy as it sounds, even today the first thing I do when I meet someone is checking the person’s shoes.”

-Rosemarie Krüger, early PUMA employee

 How was the corporate culture back then? 

Rosemarie Krüger: We had a very good relationship with our employer – PUMA did everything for us. For instance, my children were huge Borussia Mönchengladbach fans. So, they always got jerseys for free.  

Every morning our bosses, both Rudolf and Armin, walked through the company to wish us all a good day. They were always supportive. No matter what, we could talk to them about everything. It was a very nice family business. 

How was the men-to-women ratio? How was it in terms of gender equality? 

Rosemarie Krüger: Men and women worked together, hand in hand – equal. Women were not suppressed. It was the opposite: the men always helped us, did everything for us. Hence, the working environment was very good. We were a great team. 

What was the relationship between PUMA and adidas employees in the city? 

Rosemarie Krüger: My whole family was team PUMA. My husband was actually very strict about it – no one was allowed to wear adidas at home. As crazy as it sounds, even today the first thing I do when I meet someone is checking the person’s shoes. Also, it makes me very unhappy to see people wearing adidas on TV. 

Nevertheless, I had some friends working for the neighbouring sports company. We had some really good parties in the past. It makes me sad that all of that ended due to the separation of the Dassler brothers.