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High-tech meets experience: Florian on materials and his #OurFavoriteThings

High-tech meets experience: Florian on materials and his #OurFavoriteThings

Florian checks exactly what is good for him and puts this talent to perfect use in our new testing center in Linz. Here he makes a significant contribution to quality assurance so that – as he says – “all the steel grades we produce are tested in accordance with the relevant standards”. How strong and tough is the material? Let’s see.

Florian works with various machines and robots in the new voestalpine test center in Linz.
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As deputy shift supervisor, Florian keeps an eye on the entire department and regularly fills in at all stations. He regularly calls on his wealth of experience for the work and systems in the pre-cutting, laser station, finishing with milling and eroding, electrical steel strip tests or in the chemistry laboratory. Today, he mostly works in the mechanical-technological area and carries out tensile and bending tests, but he is also on call for urgent tasks.

Florian inspects the steel goods produced for compliance with standardized testing standards.

Role reversal: from well advised to good advisor

An acquaintance inspired Florian to train as a materials technician with us. He is a materials tester and advised him to take up this profession. Years later, he himself slipped into the role of advisor at the “Open Day” and informed young people about the exciting tasks and various opportunities in materials testing. To better combine theory and practice, young people were able to demonstrate their skills on site in tests such as tensile testing, ultrasonic testing and magnetic particle testing. It was precisely this strategy that always opened up new and exciting possibilities: just try it out.

Switch between shifts depending on the phase of life.

Since Florian started his apprenticeship with us in 2006, he has already changed departments and shift models several times. Today he works five shifts in the new test center. This means morning, afternoon and night shifts alternate with days off. This allows him to look after the farm currently run by his parents at the same time.

He used to train competitively in Thai boxing. During this time, he worked in an area with a day shift – specifically in special testing technology. The training sessions were simply easier to organize with working hours during the day and he was also able to complete his training as a “fitness instructor” and “agricultural technician”. In special testing technology, he was responsible for the TÜV-inspected tests and their documentation for external customers.

Not every company has a test center as comprehensive as ours, which is why we also offer this service externally.

Florian G.
deputy shift supervisor, testing center in Linz

Shift work: private meets professional.

At 12 minutes past 5 a.m., 1 p.m. or 9 p.m., the five-person shift changes. Beforehand, he discusses current events with the previous shift, then either has an update with his colleagues over coffee or takes the shift bus home, which he uses to listen to podcasts, listen to music or rest.

“My working day is varied due to the different areas, the changing working hours and my nice colleagues on both the shift and the day shift. The humor is important.“

You not only meet colleagues, but also friends and do things in your private life. I particularly appreciate the fact that we treat each other with respect despite our differences in age, nationality, gender, sexual orientation or views.

Florian G.
deputy shift supervisor, testing center in Linz

#OurFavoriteThings - Florian is thrilled:

  • Honesty
  • Humor
  • Reliability

With the colleagues: Humor meets appreciation

Florian impresses at all stations with his conscientious and precise work, his flexibility and commitment in various positions and his calmness.

The more I am interested in something new, the more I learn. Every time I've faced new challenges, I've grown and broadened my perspective. Change brings growth.

Florian G.
deputy shift supervisor, testing center in Linz

In the future: change meets stability

Florian’s plans for the future are varied: he would like to continue on his chosen path in terms of agriculture with the permaculture training he has already completed and focus more on the forest. He sees weight training as a savings bank to keep fit for later. He uses reading for self-reflection and further development. And by traveling, he wants to continue to change perspectives and experience different possibilities: Traveling with his own bus, backpacking, by motorcycle and – if there is time – on foot or by bike.

Florian's advice for those interested?

In any case, he advises young people to do what interests them. The more interest there is, the easier it is to learn and the easier it is in life.

Imagecampaign #OurFavoriteThings

Energy, greentec steel, training, sustainability and innovation – and, above all, people: This is the focus of our new brand campaign. Moving away from the technical data sheet of our competencies and towards the real stories, the campaign provides insights into the world of our employees – the people who play a key role in our success as part of the voestalpine team. They tell what inspires and moves them – our favorite things.

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voestalpine AG

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.