Felix (28) from Gotha, has been working at CATL for a year in the maintenance department, where he is responsible for repairing our production equipment.
When he started in 2021, he was particularly excited about the site development. "New company, there are always new things. I'm interested in that, I'd like to be involved in that, so I'd like to be there right from the start" is how Felix describes his drive to apply. In just one year, the trained mechatronics technician has already been able to develop into a shift supervisor and is now responsible for coordinating the three shifts of his maintenance colleagues in addition to his technical role. Felix's goal for the future is to complete his technician's degree and thus develop further to become a shift supervisor.
Everyday work and interfaces
In the day-to-day work, there are most interfaces with production. Here, it is mainly a matter of coordinating with each other before maintenance carries out repairs on the production equipment so as not to interrupt ongoing production in an unplanned manner. The most important thing here is to clarify: "When do we go in, when do we do which repair. How long will the repair work take?" explains Felix.
In addition, however, maintenance also works closely with the CATL quality department. As soon as quality notices that something is not up to standard, Felix and his maintenance colleagues are asked to check the equipment in question.
What is special about maintenance at CATL?
Felix likes to work hands-on, and variety is very important to him. The range of tasks at CATL extends from repairing equipment to work in the workshop, such as cleaning. He always has colleagues from the team at his side.
Felix is enthusiastic: "You learn something new every day. There is never a day when you do the same work. You have to be flexible, creative and have ideas. You especially need that here because we don't have just one type of plant. Variety is very much a given here. [...] it doesn't get boring in maintenance."
In contrast to maintenance at other companies, at CATL there are various techniques in which the employees can specialize. But the biggest difference is a very new software that works very well, he adds. With the help of the software, all maintenance colleagues always have an overview of the condition of the various assets. Using mobile tablets, each employee can quickly and easily record malfunctions and even control spare parts management.
Teamwork also plays a fundamental role: "Individual work is almost non-existent. Even if a colleague is the first to see a problem alone, it is usually the case that after 10 minutes a colleague solves the problem together with you. We also have to work as a team when it comes to exchanging information. Through this exchange, we want to ensure that everyone is on the same level. This also applies across shifts. You have to see maintenance as one big team. From supervisor to planner to operator, we are a team."
What do you particularly appreciate about your team?
Felix especially appreciates the interpersonal cooperation with his colleagues: "We can address open issues, questions, concerns, ideas, and communicate them very clearly. Everyone contributes to the solution. We can rely on each other."
There are also regular department parties, and numerous colleagues from maintenance get together privately on many weekends for shift meetings.
... and at CATL?
"For me personally, it's very good that I get a lot of opportunities for further training. I was denied that at the old company." In just one year, Felix was able to attend 6 training courses. "It's great that money is invested in the employee" says Felix proudly.
Your new teammate should...
- Show an interest in working in maintenance
- Be willing to learn
- Contribute ideas and show initiative
- Live open communication, as professional issues are all communicated directly within the team
