“Contirod's production department is technically challenging, which suits me perfectly.”

• How did your career at Aurubis Olen begin, Sebastiaan?
  I have always worked in the industrial sector. It was actually my wife who encouraged me to apply at Aurubis Olen. I was given the opportunity, and I’m still grateful for that every single day.

• What does your role as Assistant Shift Supervisor involve?
  As an Assistant Shift Supervisor, I am responsible for the team during my shift. I start each workday with the shift handover and then carry out inspection rounds. I prepare work schedules, monitor the production process and support my colleagues wherever needed.
  
  Equally important in my role is the human aspect: listening to my colleagues, helping them solve issues and ensuring that everyone feels safe and comfortable at work.

• Can you explain what happens in the Contirod production department?​​​​​​​In our department, we produce 8 mm copper wire. The process starts in the casting shop, where the copper is melted. The wire is then gradually reduced in size in the rolling mill. Next, it passes through acid baths for cleaning, followed by rinsing baths to remove the acid, and finally through soap baths to ensure it can be neatly and consistently wound onto pallets. Every 5 to 6 minutes, we produce roughly 4 to 5 tons of copper wire.
  
  ​​​​​​​Our production environment is technically demanding. You’re constantly active, and you see the results of your work immediately. That’s exactly what I enjoy.

• Quality plays a major role in your work. What are the biggest challenges?
  The biggest challenge is the continuous monitoring of wire quality. This is done visually as well as through laboratory analyses, such as measuring oxygen levels, assessing the deformability of the copper (the AR value) and detecting visible defects like peeling or cracks. Sometimes this requires multiple checks and production stops, which can have a significant impact on the process.

• Safety is extremely important at our site. How do you experience that?
  Safety is a top priority at Aurubis. We work with heavy installations, so procedures like LOTO (Lock Out – Tag Out) are essential. We have very strict and clear agreements in place, and I am personally very attentive to this. For example: whenever someone works on a machine, a personal lock is always applied.

• Which qualities are important for starting as an operator at Aurubis Olen?
  Technical insight is important, but equally essential is the ability to handle stress. You need to stay calm, think logically and be eager to learn.

• What characterizes your team?
  We have a nice mix of younger and more experienced colleagues. This allows us to work efficiently and learn a lot from one another. The atmosphere is positive, the collaboration is smooth and there’s always room for a good joke. I genuinely enjoy coming to work.

• What makes Aurubis Olen a strong employer?
  For me, it’s the combination of everything: the content of the job, the colleagues, job security and the human approach. It’s a large company, but you never feel like just a number. People listen to you and take your private life into account. Working in a three‑shift system is also a big advantage for me.

• What gives you satisfaction in your work? 
  For me, the greatest satisfaction comes from teamwork. When everything runs smoothly, but especially when we tackle and solve challenges together. That moment when you find the solution and realize: we achieved this as a team, that gives me the energy and fulfilment I need.

• What advice would you give to people considering a job at Aurubis Olen?
  Be eager to learn, don’t hesitate to ask questions and stay observant.

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