„My personal motivation is clearly to always bring out the best quality.“

Hi Dominik, would you like to start by introducing yourself?

Sure. I’m Dominik Steffens, 32 years old and have worked with Extruder Experts since May 2023. Before that, I completed two apprenticeships: first as a vehicle mechatronics engineer, then as a precision mechanic. In my second apprenticeship I also worked with CNC mills, which was my ticket to this job, so to speak. That is why I’m able to judge precisely what I’m measuring here, knowing what happened in the step before and how an extruder part was manufactured. I got the contact to Extruder Experts from a workmate, skipping the whole application process. That’s something I like about this company: they also look for candidates by asking their employees. 

Where are you from?

From Monschau-Mützenich, just around the corner, which is quite convenient. Actually I wouldn’t even need a car for the few kilometers. But I have to admit: the way to work is a bit too hilly for me to go by bicycle, and in winter there is also more snow and ice than in lower regions.

What are your tasks and what does a typical workday look like?

I take care of the quality control of the parts that we manufacture and then send to our clients. More precisely, we’re talking about barrels and sleeves which come to my measuring room. That is a temperature-controlled room with a 3D portal-coordinate measuring machine, the programs for which I write as well. Those parts then spend a night in the room to reach the required temperature, because that has an effect on their dimensions. After that I can put each part on the machine, if I already have a program. Otherwise I need to create it first by means of a CAD file, so that the machine knows: What am I supposed to measure? How am I supposed to do that? What will be evaluated afterwards? Then there are of course other things, which I need t o check manually. For example the screw threads: I use a screw to test whether they are deep enough and functional. Besides I also perform optical inspections. Is the part well-finished or does it have flaws? After that we place the barrels on each other as an additional check. And finally, we use compressed air and water, if the barrel has a cooling function, to check whether it is tight. Then I’m done with that product, it can proceed to the shipping department and the next one comes to me.

Are their also other tasks you can do for a change?

Yes, plenty of them. For example I attend regular meetings at the office or via Zoom. Also, depending on workload, I sometimes help my colleagues out with the handling of shipments or repairs. Moreover, I not only measure barrels, but also segments or shafts. And I have also been “out there” at the client’s place, in order to measure wear and tear. So I really have no reason to feel bored.

What is you motivation to go to work every day?

I can answer that quite easily: it’s my motivation to produce always the best quality. For me, there’s either 100 percent or nothing, and this attitude is very welcome here.

So you have to be a “picky” person to work at Extruder Experts?

I’d rather say, the secret is to know when you have to be picky and when you don’t. And of course, we work as a team and also assess many things together.

Do you feel well-accepted by your colleagues as a team member? 

Absolutely, the team is just great. What I really like about the company is the fact that different generations pull together in the same direction. Youngsters as well as old hands, and also some in between. This is working extremely well.

What else can you tell us regarding diversity and work climate?

In general, the team is really varied. I would estimate that overall there’s a ratio of roughly 50:50 between men and women, and that’s true for almost all departments. And social interaction is friendly and appreciative in all directions, including on the part of the managers and to an extent that I have never experienced in any other company. It can also be very casual, depending on the situation. For example, right before this interview, there was carnival music playing. Of course work remains top priority. And sometimes things can get very busy. But even then, nobody yells at you. Here everyone knows: it’s not what you say, but how you say it.

That’s the basis for successful communication, isn’t it?

Right. That also means that useful information is passed on among each other. There are no people here who want to keep their knowledge to themselves, instead they like to share it.

We learn from each other and that’s pretty brilliant.

Talking about work life balance: is it also right for you?

By all means. As a single I have more time than others anyway. But the important thing is: if we have to work extra time, because there’s a lot to do, we see and decide it ourselves. Nobody needs to tell us and nobody does. Apart from that, our bosses support the principle that after eight hours of work it’s time to go home.

Does that mean you are all free to make your own decisions?

Exactly. In certain areas, everyone can make his or her own decisions. Of course there are also guidelines, but you can work the way that suits you. Right from the beginning I was told: here in this measuring room, you are your own boss and know best how to get along and work effectively. So just go ahead and do it your way.

If you recommend the company to someone else in the future: what would be your main argument?

I’ve even done that before. The answer: it’s the human aspect. The fact that you are appreciated for what you do. You find that only in very few companies, as I can say from experience.

Which options do you see for your further development here?

The managing directors told me from the outset: if one day your interest is drawn do other things, please don’t hesitate to say so. And we will try to find a way to work it out. That means, I won’t necessary be in this measuring room and do the final inspection forever. I could also make a change and work in construction for example, if the opportunity arises. 

What about further training?

I received further training once to get familiar with a certain measuring machine I didn’t know before. That was no problem at all, since the contact with the company who had sold us the machine was excellent. They even sent someone here for that purpose. Conversely, I also visited them on the occasion of an open house day. Moreover, which also counts as further training to me, I was able to pass my fork-lift driving license at Extruder Experts.

And which special benefits are there: gym membership, events etc.?

All kinds of things. One benefit that I like in particular, among others, is that in certain cases you can get a performance bonus. And, talking about leisure time, it’s great that we generally don’t work on bridging days. That means: no fussy discussions or quarrels. There are events, too. For example, we were once in one of these virtual escape rooms together. That was pretty cool, also as a team experience.

You seem to be a „Monschauer“ by conviction. What would you tell a sceptical possible applicant who’s used to big city life?

I live where others go on vacation. And you can do that too, just give it a try!