17 years of Eppendorf - the individual learning journey of Marcel Steinbach

Marcel, you were 23 when you decided to join Eppendorf and train as a metal cutting mechanic in Leipzig, Germany. Thank you for sharing your 17-year Eppendorf story with us.

Gladly, when I think about it, it has always been and still is a very exciting and moving time. If someone had told me in 2006 that I would one day be responsible as production manager for around 40 colleagues and 10 CNC (Computer Numerical Control) production machines on a production area of around 5,000 square meters, and that I would make a contribution to hundreds of thousands of centrifuge accessories, I probably would have just looked incredulous.

Let's start with your beginnings. How did you come to Eppendorf?

I'm very practical and have always been enthusiastic about technology. That's why a technical, craftsmanship apprenticeship was very interesting. Eppendorf already appealed to me at the time, as an acquaintance worked there – and still does, by the way. Regionally, a job profile that combined robotics, mechanics and computer technology that was interesting to me was also hardly in demand. So, the decision to train as a metal cutting mechanic at Eppendorf was made pretty quickly. And it was the right choice, as I noticed already in the first few weeks. As an apprentice, I felt like a real team member right from the start. Eppendorfers took the time to train us thoroughly and to explain all the processes in detail. At the inter-company training center, we were able to try out CNC machines, gain practical learning experience, no two workdays were the same, and the path to our designated goal was always up to us.

What happened after your apprenticeship?

Six months before I finished, I already knew that I would be offered a job contract as a CNC operator in 3-shift operation in Leipzig. After one year, I was promoted to group manager in CNC production and thus had the opportunity to take on project responsibility, modernize the CNC area and further qualify my team. Currently, as Head of Production Accessories, I manage the entire accessories production (logistics, CNC production and accessories assembly) for our centrifuge accessories.

We now have 40 employees in the entire accessories production team and operate 10 state-of-the-art CNC machining centers at the site. By investing in the latest technologies – and thus in state-of-the-art machining – we have been able to grow and have a great many ambitious colleagues, including master craftsmen and technicians, in our team, all of whom have prospects with us. Our own team leaders, who also started working shifts, are role models here.

What are you most proud of?

Oh, there are many things I can be very proud of. For me personally, the management training of the last few years has been very formative. Among other things, I had the opportunity to be trained in lean management and employee leadership as part of our System Transformation eppendorf program, for example, I now train new employees as a coach for work organization.

A very special memory is that of the move to the current accessories production plant in Leipzig in 2019. As a team – and I'm not exaggerating – we really did a great job together. You have to imagine what a challenge it was to turn an empty industrial hall into a fully functional, modern plant in the shortest possible time – and all that while running a 3-shift operation. Everyone pitched in, took on many additional tasks alongside the actual production operation, such as setting up cabinets and shelves, carrying workbenches in and out, always ensuring cleanliness and order, and much more. We had to divide ourselves between two plants to keep production going in construction mode while surrounded by excavators and construction site noise.

In such extreme situations, you simply realize how important it is to be able to rely on each other as a team and to trust each other. So, the answer to the question in a nutshell: I am incredibly proud of the entire team – and the move is just one of many examples from almost two decades at Eppendorf.

From your point of view, what makes the Eppendorf Group an interesting employer - especially for production employees?

Over the past 17 years, I have always had new goals and many supporters who have accompanied and supported me along the way. I carry this mindset with me today as a leader. It is important to me to give others a chance to show themselves and succeed. Over the years, many of my colleagues have been able to climb the ladder one or more career steps and are now team leaders, process engineers or very good programmers. If you want to turn ideas into concrete projects, make our production even more efficient, and be part of our team with really great prospects in an exciting industry, then you've come to the right place.

What learning opportunities for individual development does Eppendorf Zentrifugen offer at the Leipzig site?

Of course, all colleagues can use the central learning offering, such as e-learning. But much more important for us in production operations is learning by doing. How do we ensure that a decision made at 3 am in dealing with our machines, which cost millions to purchase, is made just as professionally and responsibly as one made at noon? Quite simply: by learning on the job and through experienced colleagues taking the time to show and explain things over and over again, and in getting inspiration by visiting machine manufacturing companies or taking plant tours. For example, twice a year we usually have a project day followed by a teambuilding event, such as a plant tour at an automotive manufacturer. Optimizations have often resulted from this.

What application tips do you want to share with interested candidates?

I receive many applications with many certificates. But certificates are not the main factor for me. I'm looking for people who want to be fully involved and fill the space on their own hard drive with knowledge. During an interview, I pay attention to whether I can recognize the "I-want-to-learn-attitude" and "WE-beat-I-mindset". This is what really counts. We also have lateral entrants from the construction industry or the automotive sector working in our team as CNC setters and

-operators who have retrained and/or prequalified. If you stay curious, if you are hard-working and ambitious, if you are helpful and a team player who thinks along with us, then you can also achieve a lot.