Since April 2024, Birgit has been in charge of three production areas of switch production in Zeltweg, the site where switches have been produced since 1866. It is home to a wealth of knowledge about the world of railroads. Railroad operators around the world rely on this in-depth expertise when they need turnout systems for maximum speeds, axle loads or train frequencies and complex, customized solutions.
The “tongues” are the movable elements of a turnout that determine the direction of travel of the train – whether it continues straight ahead or is directed onto a branching track. The “heart” is located at the rear of a switch, where the main and branch lines intersect. As production manager, she ensures that the production of these high-precision components runs according to plan.
Birgit directly manages four foremen and one organizational employee and is responsible for the safety of around 140 employees. Managing employees is one part of her job, while optimizing production processes, including the sustainable elimination of the causes of errors, is another. Ensuring that work and safety standards are adhered to at all times and always acting as a role model for this is also an essential part of her work.
Technology was a topic in her parents’ home from an early age – her father worked as a machine tool builder and engineer, including in the automotive industry. His enthusiasm was passed on to Birgit. Coupled with her great curiosity, the path to studying mechanical engineering in Leoben was mapped out.
After graduating, Birgit took the opportunity to get to know all the development and production departments at our Zeltweg site during our two-year trainee program and to work in all areas. She is therefore aware of the value of each station.
Her day-to-day work is varied. The variety of topics, challenges and solutions is what makes her job so exciting. She particularly enjoys working together and across departments and helping to shape the working environment.
Durch das Traineeprogramm haben die Mitarbeiter:innen schnell erkannt, dass Birgit überall mit anpackt, technisches Verständnis hat, sehr neugierig und wissbegierig ist und allein schon durchs Beobachten schnell lernt. Rasch war klar, dass sie für Veränderung, Weiterentwicklung und Verantwortung offen und bereit war und „nicht auf den Mund gefallen ist“. Ihr Erfolgsrezept?.Themen direkt, offen, wertschätzend und nach Bedarf mit einer Prise Humor ansprechen.
Mutual respect is the basis for mutual success when the finished switches are finally delivered and perform to the satisfaction of the customer. No matter who is talking to whom and what hierarchies the people are in: Respect is the most important component of success.
When Birgit witnesses someone who is really passionate about what they do and enjoys their work as a result, she is simply delighted. Being able to work with colleagues like that is simply a joy. For her, the most important moment was when it became clear that she was trusted with the production management for all three areas.
As Birgit’s partner also works at voestalpine, she naturally brings job issues home with her – in a positive and understanding way, as they are both very familiar with the values, structures and challenges. And at the latest when Birgit travels by train on a business trip or takes the streetcar in Graz, she knows that the switches were built by her team and are performing perfectly. She is proud of that!
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.
