Thomas Z. is a blacksmith – both professionally and privately. As one of three process control technicians in shift operation, he keeps an eye on the automated pre-forging processes and uses the relevant software to design the pre-forming processes. Here, the alloy ingots, most of which are used to produce structurally critical aerospace components, are fed into the furnace by manipulators, placed into the upsetting press or the high-speed forging press while red-hot and formed, depending on the work step. He needs maximum precision, a good understanding of forging and metal forming, a good rapport with his colleagues, independence and a lot of patience to ensure that the process runs smoothly right from the start. He is therefore responsible for intact systems and robots as well as smooth, standstill-free processing.
He is also a dedicated contact for the metal and forging technology apprentices. They start their practical training in their third year and Thomas makes sure that a task is found for each apprentice within this year in the rotation system that suits the young people and their foremen. Seeing that a foreman takes care of an apprentice, builds them up, strengthens them, integrates them, makes sure that everything fits, these are very special moments – #FavoriteMoments – for Thomas. He is currently supporting three apprentices through this phase.
Thomas particularly enjoys working with the apprentices, as he understands what motivates them thanks to his own experiences. As a teenager, he lost interest in his secondary school education – a taster day at the voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl training workshop was the turning point. There he was so enthusiastic about the forging trade and the trainer in the forge that he decided to do an apprenticeship. At the age of 17, his professional focus was already clear: master craftsman school! He therefore worked towards good grades and a corresponding apprenticeship qualification. After working in the press forge and completing his military service, he started the master craftsman course for metal and operating technology and immediately followed this up with the master craftsman course for automation technology and robotics. He already had his eye on the new automated preforming line, which was gradually built in 2018 and is now his professional home. When metal and forging technology apprentices come under his wing year after year, he is delighted as a blacksmith and also as an apprentice representative.
Trust is important to him. This means that agreements apply and everything is done to ensure that they are adhered to in the best possible way. Helpfulness, honesty and respect are the basis for this. The fact that a programmed process works well right from the start is the result of many things: a high level of quality awareness, an understanding of the process and the necessary communication skills, a good error culture and the ability to take criticism. When problems occur, it is important to be aware of the possible source of the error, to find a solution together quickly and to always treat each other with respect.
If Thomas has a test forging the next day, he goes through the process in his mind at home in the evening in search of hidden sources of error. His colleagues can always rely on Thomas – both at work and in his free time, he supports them wherever he can. “One step ahead” – our slogan – accompanies him in many situations, both professionally and privately.
Thomas is also a blacksmith in his private life and started his own cutlery business in 2021. He also brings his professional knowledge of materials and design expertise to the table. He has set up a forge in his grandfather’s former workshop, where he now produces high-performance chef’s knives, folding knives, hunting knives and fine traditional knives. He does not limit himself and forges whatever he enjoys and has blades for.
However, two highlights in a completely different direction clearly take first and second place in his #FavoriteMoments: his wedding in 2021 and the birth of his son earlier this year.
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.
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.
