25.11.2025
You grew up on Lake Murten and are now moving to Lake Neuchâtel – both beautiful places! When I saw pictures of them, I thought to myself: I'm definitely living on the wrong side of Switzerland. What makes life by the lake so special for you?
Growing up on Lake Murten was quite special: on one side, people speak French, on the other German. The language changes from village to village. I myself grew up in the French-speaking part. And life right by the lake was wonderful; as a child, I spent practically all my summer holidays in the water. I haven't lived by the lake for a year and a half now, but that's exactly what I miss. That's why I'm now moving back to the water, namely to Lake Neuchâtel, where the lake is only a four-minute walk away.
We are currently speaking Swiss German. But you said you grew up in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. How come you speak Swiss German so perfectly?
My parents both grew up in Aargau as German-speaking Swiss. I always spoke Swiss German with them at home.
Do you find this helpful at work as well?
Yes, it's always helpful. When we have visitors from German-speaking Switzerland, I'm usually there to translate, and of course it also allows me to maintain contact with my colleagues from German-speaking Switzerland.
Your journey from carpenter to the world of real estate and field service is really exciting – what motivated you to change industries back then? And what experiences from your carpentry apprenticeship still help you in field service today?
After completing my training, I worked as a workshop manager. Then I did some further training in the real estate industry, thinking that I could put my construction knowledge to good use there. Somehow, a job in the field sales department at Mamut Lift came up. But after a while, I realised that I missed working with wood. So I looked for something else in that field and ended up in the field sales department in Farvagny-le-Petit. My time as a carpenter still helps me today: I am particularly knowledgeable in the area of kitchen and furniture construction.
In between, you also spent some time in Australia. How exciting! How long were you there?
I was there for a total of four months. For the first three months, I attended a language school to improve my English. In the fourth month, my brother and two friends visited me and we travelled around Australia. It was an unforgettable time!
Australia is considered the “most poisonous continent in the world” – is it really as dangerous as everyone says?
It's true to a certain extent. But Australians tend to exaggerate when they tell their stories. Of course, if you suddenly feel a twinge, you go to the doctor to be on the safe side. In Switzerland, you wouldn't necessarily have to do that. But that's just part of it.
With fitness and jogging, you are also very active in sports. Did you have specific goals, or is it more of a way to balance your everyday life?
Three years ago, my goal at the gym was to take part in a competition. I trained intensively for two years to achieve this, eating six meals a day and training twice a day. But once I had achieved my goal, I didn't want to go on stage anymore. Instead,
I discovered jogging.
When jogging, are you more of a team: music in your ears or team: peace and quiet in nature?
Team: Peace and quiet in nature. (Laughs.)
You particularly enjoy watching football – do you have a favourite team whose matches you never want to miss?
Yes, FC Barcelona since I was 15. I rarely miss a match.
You've also tried martial arts – will you remain a spectator or would you step into the ring yourself?
As a teenager, I always watched martial arts with my father. At 16, I took up Thai boxing and trained for a long time to compete. But it never worked out – sometimes my opponent was injured, then my trainer moved to Brazil. Eventually, I gave up and started working out instead.
As a trained carpenter, you already have experience in the wood industry from the customer side. Today, you work in sales at Leuba Hiag. What advantages do you see in the Kuratle Group offering comprehensive solutions for everything to do with wood – both from a customer's perspective and from your current perspective as a salesperson?
From a carpenter's point of view, it is a great advantage that we at the Kuratle Group specialise heavily in wood. Other retailers often include other materials in their product range, but for us, wood really is the focus. In the field, I notice time and again how much our customers appreciate our comprehensive solutions. Many companies do not have the machinery to cut panels to size or the space to store large quantities – this is exactly where we can help. Our showrooms are also very well received, as is our wide range of products. Another big plus point is our online shop – this is another way we score points with many customers because it makes the ordering process simple and efficient.
Thank you, Ralph, for talking to us – we wish you many beautiful sunsets on Lake Neuchâtel!