A born tinkerer and plenty of thrills
What is it actually like to work at Oschatz-Glas? We talk to one of our colleagues every month to find out. This time it’s Thomas Gabriel. The 39-year-old is an area technologist for mat production. In 23 years with the company, Thomas has already experienced a lot. Let’s find out more!
Hello Thomas, how did you actually come to us?
Thomas Gabriel: A brief history. Back then, times were much more difficult for trainees. I wrote several applications and Oschatz-Glas was the first company to give me a chance. And I took it.
And what happened next in the company?
Thomas Gabriel: It all started on August 1, 2001! (he laughs) I did my apprenticeship as an industrial mechanic here. In the past, careers were not as straightforward as they are today, so after my training I spent a year and a half as a production mechanic in complex production. After that, I provided technical support for the entire relocation of our complex department. There always has to be something going on for me, so I then switched to glass production. I worked my way up there and eventually took over the platinum workshop. I did that for 10 years. I also took another huge step forward here. The old master of the platinum workshop taught me an incredible amount and significantly shaped my understanding of machines.
That sounds like a lot of tinkering?
Thomas Gabriel: Yes! And that’s great fun. I’ve always been there where there was something new and experiments were being carried out. When we were still producing glass, I was also able to play a key role in the development of the nozzle trays. That’s something I still really enjoy. The construction and development of special parts is always a challenge, which I also use now as a divisional technologist. There’s nothing better than having a machine in front of you after a complicated project that runs better because your changes worked well. It’s not as if I manage these processes alone. There are an incredible number of dedicated and bright minds here.
What are the most formative events in your career to date
Thomas Gabriel: The P-D Group has always traveled a lot abroad. This has always resulted in collaborations and joint ventures all over the world. Thanks to my expertise and the fact that I am also a thrill seeker, I have been involved in many foreign assignments. I’ve been to the USA, Russia and a few other countries from time to time. Sometimes planned, sometimes very spontaneous due to acute events. I won’t go into details here (laughs), but these trips often offered a lot of thrills. But the dismantling of our glass tanks and the associated shutdown also definitely left its mark on me. That really hurt. The project management for the new mat system 2.2 was particularly positive! A mega project and a machine of the very finest quality.
What are the main focuses of your work as a divisional technologist?
Thomas Gabriel: It also involves a lot of organization and planning. I keep an eye on all the machines and check all the processes. If I discover an opportunity to increase the efficiency of the systems, I get to work. Welding and screwing is something I don’t let take away from me. I’m not a theoretician. I really want to get stuck in. Nevertheless, one thing is important above all: being a team player. From mechanics to electricians and automation technicians, I have many colleagues here who are really talented. It’s simply fun.