It’s now been 20 years since I first joined FIBRO. I trained as a toolmaker at LÄPPLE and then took a second training course. After my studies in mechanical engineering, I took a job working at FIBRO in Hassmersheim.
Working in their standard parts division turned out to be perfect for me. Thanks to my training as a toolmaker, I was then also able to oversee standard parts production for toolmaking purposes.
I’m a Product Manager. My remit covers gas springs, which are intended for tool manufacturing. I’m responsible for new products, product developments, additional product features, maintenance of these products, and of course customer consultations and presentations.
My daily schedule covers all areas to do with our products, from e-mail communications and discussion of technical aspects to correct product planning procedures.
The sheer variety is the best part of my job. I’m also away on business a lot, so I don’t spend too much time sat in front of a computer. I deliver on-site customer consultations, learn about frequent customer issues and discover new things to inspire me at trade fair visits. And of course, during my business trips, I also get to learn about the wants and needs of our customers.
Standard parts are, as the name implies, launched as standardised products on the customer’s request or presented to the customers themselves in order to pique their interest.
Industry 4.0 is the future. These new technologies – such as wireless tech, for example – are being pioneered in tool manufacturing, and they will help us bring about the next industrial revolution.
As regards my sphere of influence, this obviously has the greatest impact in the development of new products. For example, we have developed a wireless pressure monitoring system that measures the pressure and temperature of gas springs without the need for wires or cables. The data is then communicated to a readout software application via Bluetooth.
What motivates me about my day-to-day activities is constantly being able to introduce innovations to the market. I also enjoy helping out customers and my colleagues. My job also features a lot of variety, which is another big motivator.
Since all companies at LÄPPLE work together, all of our products are also in a sense self-contained. LÄPPLE manufactures sheet-metal components, and we make the standard parts necessary to make this possible. This is a sort of all-round package where we lend each other support and work together perfectly – like cogs in a machine.
