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voestalpine AG
#FavoriteMoments for Stefan: the best for aviation every day

#FavoriteMoments for Stefan: the best for aviation every day

voestalpine employee Stefan wearing protective gear and a helmet stands in an industrial hall in front of a large industrial furnace, with a forklift and equipment in the background.
In this article
 

Stefan H. has been at home in Kapfenberg in Hall 7 at the press forge since 2004. As a trained mechanical engineer, he started his career with us in the finishing department, where components are precision-ground between forging steps. He then moved to the world’s largest screw press. A short time later, he wanted to “know it” and continued his education privately: master craftsman school, A-levels. With his qualifications in his pocket, he switched to quality management and was immediately directly responsible for quality at production level. Three years ago, he was offered the current position of deputy plant manager, which he accepted immediately, gladly and “as a heartfelt decision”. He manages 200 employees and the entire production of voestalpine BÖHLER Aerospace together with the plant manager and three foremen.

voestalpine employee Stefan wearing protective gear and a helmet stands in an industrial hall in front of a large industrial furnace, with a forklift and equipment in the background.

I've never been afraid of losing my job, but have always been able to develop myself further. The company has never put obstacles in my way - and I like that.

Stefan H.
deputy plant manager, voestalpine BÖHLER Aerospace

His focus is on quality, technology and cost savings. So if an irregularity occurs on the screw press, his internal alarm bells start ringing. A system or process malfunction can lead to extremely valuable scrap, as around 70% of the components processed for aviation are made of titanium. 95% of the components are destined for the aerospace sector and around 5% for the energy sector.

For us, it's not a matter of hours or days, but often I have to make a decision immediately. It's better to make a bad decision than no decision at all. These are the key characteristics of my job. But that's actually what makes it so exciting.

Stefan H.
deputy plant manager, voestalpine BÖHLER Aerospace

Almost no airplane flies without us

When Stefan gets on an airplane, he knows exactly which important structural parts of the aircraft were forged by him and his colleagues: for example

  • Landing gears, for example,
  • many structural parts that are built directly into the fuselage,
  • the engine disks to which the rotating engine blades are attached or
  • the connection between the engine and the wing – the pylon.

 

Quite a few structurally critical components of most aircraft worldwide come from Kapfenberg. And this is exactly what Stefan proudly presents to his family when they take to the skies together. Incidentally, Stefan can hardly wait for the next generation of aircraft, with which flying with potentially CO2-reduced e-fuels should be possible in the future.

Two workers wearing safety helmets inspect a large steel mold lying on the floor of an industrial hall. Machinery and safety markings are visible in the background.
Everything has to fit perfectly in the production of aircraft components. Stefan (right) pays close attention to this.

We actually produce 95% of our products for aviation, so think of me when you get on the plane. There isn't a single plane that doesn't have a part from Kapfenberg in it - components for taking off, landing and staying in the air.

Stefan H.
deputy plant manager, voestalpine BÖHLER Aerospace

The light and extremely strong metal titanium is purchased on the world market, but is first mined as a component of minerals and extracted in complex processes. The processing of the transition metal at voestalpine BÖHLER Aerospace is similar to that for nickel and steel alloys; the forging processes are also comparable, but the forging temperatures differ.

Pleasure with knowledge and social skills

Stefan knows the production steps from his own experience and is aware of the special features of each station. With his knowledge, his willingness to change and his inner drive to help drive the company forward in a responsible and positive way, he wants to give his “best” every day. Decisions and actions are what count for him, his team “ticks” like him and that’s why he enjoys his job every day. Of course, he also pays attention to the qualifications of new employees, but even more important are the social skills that the applicants bring with them, because the team always works together at the group workstations.

About the campaign

In our new brand and image campaign #FavoriteMoments, we show our contribution to a modern, sustainable life from the perspective of people. We focus on their individual favorite moments and the commitment of our employees that makes such moments possible. The specially composed song “All these moments” accompanies the campaign and musically conveys our values, courage, community and our joy for the future and is authentically accompanied by pictures of our employees.

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voestalpine AG

Die voestalpine ist ein weltweit führender Stahl- und Technologiekonzern mit kombinierter Werkstoff- und Verarbeitungskompetenz. Die global tätige Unternehmensgruppe verfügt über rund 500 Konzerngesellschaften und -standorte in mehr als 50 Ländern auf allen fünf Kontinenten. Sie notiert seit 1995 an der Wiener Börse. Mit ihren Premium-Produkt- und Systemlösungen zählt sie zu den führenden Partnern der Automobil- und Hausgeräteindustrie sowie der Luftfahrt- und Öl- & Gasindustrie und ist darüber hinaus Weltmarktführer bei Bahninfrastruktursystemen, bei Werkzeugstahl und Spezialprofilen. Die voestalpine bekennt sich zu den globalen Klimazielen und verfolgt mit greentec steel einen klaren Plan zur Dekarbonisierung der Stahlproduktion.