Cultures at Rheinmetall

When she is asked for a recipe to develop in your professional life she says: “Resilience, collaboration, and continuous improvement drive success. Own your space, trust your voice, and lead with confidence. Excellence isn’t about fitting in; it’s about standing out with courage and authenticity.” Following this path, she has taken on more and more responsibility at Rheinmetall – from assistant manager to head of supplier management in India.

She describes the team spirit at Rheinmetall as follows: “It’s the culture of shared purpose and support that stands out. Collaborating with passionate, knowledgeable colleagues across functions and borders creates an environment where ideas flourish and growth is collective. At Rheinmetall, teamwork isn’t just a value — it’s how we achieve impact.”

During his first tour of the site, Köhne was already impressed by the commitment and successes of the workforce in the Südheide region. Today, his main focus is on further capacity expansion at the Rheinmetall sites and the construction of new plants to meet urgently needed requirements in a timely manner.

“We can really make a difference as a team and make a lasting contribution to strengthening the security of Germany and our allies. The work we all do is important – and that motivates me every day,” says Köhne, putting the importance of the tasks to be accomplished at Rheinmetall into a larger context. This clearly defined purpose is compelling.

He also emphasizes the importance of corporate values as essential guidelines for all employees: “Respect, trust, and openness are not just buzzwords, but the basis for successful work—across locations and national borders. This is how we will unleash our full potential as a team and grow together.”

His message is clear: Rheinmetall's success is based on effective cooperation that values differences and integrates old and new colleagues. This will enable everyone to work together optimally. And that is what he is committed to.

In Australia, she is part of a globally networked team in which people from different backgrounds work together. Im Melbourne alone, employees from numerous nations come together and contribute their experiences and perspectives.

‘I love seeing how respectfully and friendly people from so many different cultures and with different backgrounds work together – this diversity of perspectives makes us stronger as a team.’

Cultural diversity is complemented by an open and supportive team culture. Mareike Ravetta's colleagues made it easy for her to settle into a new country and a new working environment.

She was welcomed with open arms from the very beginning and quickly felt like an integral part of the team. The cooperation between the international locations, especially between Germany and Australia, shows how important mutual trust and understanding are. Different mentalities are not seen as an obstacle, but as an opportunity.

For her, one thing is clear: ‘When people are open with each other and support each other, the best solutions emerge – across cultural boundaries.’

Mareike Ravetta provides an example of international cooperation at Rheinmetall. Her experiences show that cultural diversity, respect for one another and cooperation across continents are key factors for shared success – today and in the future.

I am inspired by the combination of strategic human resources work and people-oriented leadership. I can actively shape transformation processes and create conditions in which colleagues can grow. The mix of responsibility and visible influence through my proximity to the operational business motivates me every day.

The training courses offered much more than just technical content: the leadership topics relating to personal drivers, stress patterns, and conflict behavior were particularly valuable. The cultural plurality of the group was also formative – different communication and decision-making styles broaden your perspective and make leadership more human and flexible.

I appreciate the combination of stability, technological strength, and our clear goal of making a responsible contribution to society. At the same time, I experience a culture in which responsibility is encouraged and change can be actively shaped. This offers ideal conditions for my personal and professional development.

I find the collaboration very inspiring. We are – rather atypical in the colorful world of Rheinmetall – an all-female team and support each other at all times. The combination of humor, solidarity, and professionalism makes us strong.

The culture is characterized by continuous development with room for different perspectives, which I really appreciate. We contribute our expertise  from different disciplines and industries to make the company a little more varied every day.

I am motivated by bringing about positive change – for the company and the people in it. When teams grow in line with the corporate strategy in terms of their professional strengths, collaboration, and roles, processes function better, and we can contribute to making employees feel valued and motivated, it shows me that my work really makes a difference.

Now and then it can be a bit tricky. But in my opinion, that's normal when people come together. All in all, I would say that the collaboration in my environment works pretty well. It gets exciting every now and then when it comes to intercultural collaboration – here it is first of all important to get a feeling for each other and then to gradually “groove” to each other. And what I personally always really like is working with older colleagues. I have the feeling that the other side feels the same way. You can learn so much from them.

I would like to pick out two values from the Rheinmetall values in particular: respect and openness. At least in my professional environment, I can say that these are already being put into practice quite well.

Most of the time I'm one of a few or the only woman in projects or meetings – but I only really notice this on the rarest of occasions. That says it all, doesn't it?! I'm heard just like every other colleague.

Ruben speaks with great passion about his job: “What inspires me is the opportunity to work together on solutions that not only contribute to success, but also ensure that the people who protect us return home safely.”

The international management training course was a particular highlight for him. There he met colleagues from many countries and departments. “We have much more in common than I thought. Initial professional encounters have developed into genuine, lasting connections.”

As an employer, Ruben sees Rheinmetall as a global company that invests in its employees and promotes cross-departmental cooperation. This enables efficiency and mutual learning.

He describes the corporate culture as growth-oriented and quality-conscious – underpinned by lived values. “Respect is our daily starting point. This creates trust – and it is this trust that makes openness possible.”

Our conversation with Ruben impressively shows how international cooperation, appreciation, and a common goal connect people: creating security, driving innovation, and growing together.

At Rheinmetall Defence Australia (RDA), we believe genuine reconciliation begins with acknowledgement, learning and action. In March 2025, we proudly launched our first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan — a significant milestone in our commitment to strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, our RAP represents a foundational step toward greater cultural awareness, inclusion and mutual respect. It lays the groundwork for building a more inclusive future through practical actions across the pillars of relationships, respect, opportunities and governance.

As a defence industry leader delivering complex capability to the Australian Defence Force, we recognise the importance of embedding cultural understanding at every level of our organisation. We also acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we operate — in Redbank, Melbourne, Canberra, Townsville and Adelaide — and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Our Reflect RAP commits us to:

• Deepening cultural awareness among our people through education and events.
• Building meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, communities and businesses.
• Creating more opportunities for engagement, employment and partnerships within our sphere of influence.
• Embedding cultural protocols and practices into our workplace culture.

This journey has been shaped by a passionate and diverse RAP Working Group, whose members bring personal insight and unwavering dedication. Their stories remind us that reconciliation is not just a corporate responsibility — it’s a personal one. Whether it’s participating in NAIDOC Week, supporting Indigenous-owned suppliers, or starting meaningful conversations, every action contributes to a more respectful and equitable future.

As Fiona Ryan, our Chief Human Resources Officer and RAP Champion, shared:

“Reconciliation, to me, means actively listening, learning, and working together towards a future where all voices are heard, valued and celebrated.”

Our RAP is a living document — the first step in a long-term commitment to reconciliation that will continue to evolve. We are inspired by the strength and resilience of Australia’s First Peoples, and we invite all employees, partners and communities to walk this path with us.

Read our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan on Reconciliation Australia’s website.