INTERVIEWS
March 2nd, 2023.  
By Tere Góngora Basterra.

Everything begins with an agreement. Once the contract is signed, several teams at INDUSER start up.

When we talk about designing and manufacturing packaging line it has to be like that. The processes must advance at the same pace. While some are in charge of welding, sandblasting and assembling, others prepare the electrical panels and operating software.

At the end of February we took a break to meet the members of the process automation team. Led by Paco Enrique, there are other members in the team: Antonio Martínez, Manuel Toro, Julio Otero, Néstor Díaz and Pepe López.

Thus, as a team, we established a conversation to understand the beginnings of the department, its evolution and its projection.

In order to get closer to you, we open the doors of our factory, we introduce you to the automation professionals of our team.

Tere: Hello Paco! You were the one who first arrived on the process automation ship. What was INDUSER like when you joined the team?

Paco Enrique: It was in 2007. The idea is that I was going to be there for three months and look, here I am still! Back then the company was small, 8 people, nothing more. I joined when the managers had done a restructuring, they were forming a new team of people. At first, I joined to provide service to customers at their facilities, but after a few days they asked me If I knew how to make electrical panels and I answered yes. At that time we were not yet specialized in packaging lines, this has been something that has occurred organically, naturally, as we have grown and as we have opened our way in the industry.

“We have grown gradually, based on the increase in projects that we have been receiving over the years”.

- Paco Enrique. 

Tere: In what order did the team grew?

Paco Enrique: The second to join the team was Antonio Martínez, at the same time Manolo Toro arrived. Julio Otero came in, took a break and then came back. Néstor began with profesional practices and in the end, he stayed. The last on board was Pepe López who, like many, was initially hired for editing. In between, other people have passed by who have also contributed knowledge and experience to what we do today.

Tere: Can you tell me about the workflow between you guys?

Paco: Once the contract is signed, we receive the project. We analyse its characteristics, identify the control needs, design and electrical plan, and request the materials that we will need from the purchasing department. Once we have all the components, we put together the electrical panel!

“What we like the most about my job is getting new things, innovating from electronics, seeing how the machines come to life and reach the productions for which they have been designed”.

- Antonio Martínez.

Tere: So… I guess now it’s time to ask Antonio. How has your growth process and your work process been?

Antonio Martínez:  When I came to INDUSER I already had electrical knoeledge, but I had no experience designing electrical panels. Carrying out the wiring of the different components that put the machine in motion is my job. Over the years, what I like to do the most is bring out new things, innovate from electronics, see how machines come to life and reach the productions for which they have been designed. It is a job in which you always have ideas and above all, you must know how to put them into motion.

“In the department we feel that we have enough confidence and the spaces to contribute. When there is a chance for improvement we share, convey and if it’s a good idea, then the new proposal is applied and developed”.
- Pepe López.

Tere: I would like to know, how much freedom do you have when placing the electrical panels in the machines? Pepe López, can you tell me about this?

Pepe: In general, we follow the guidelines in the layout. We respect the design and the way of doing chain work. However, in the department we feel that we have enough confidence and the spaces to contribute. When there is a chance for improvement we share, convey and if it’s a good idea, then the new proposal is applied and developed.

“We work simultaneously and more and more projects are received. In the end, the automation equipment is only one part of the chain. Achieving effective coordination among all is not an easy task, but we are here for that”. 
- Manuel Toro.

Tere: What are the challenges you face as a team? Manuel Toro, what can you share with us?

Toro: The challenge is always to improve organization and communication. And not just between the six of us, but with the rest of the company’s teams. We work simultaneously and more and more projects are received. In the end, the automation equipment is only one part of the chain. Achieving effective coordination among all is not an easy task, but that is always the challenge: reduce communication problems, be more effective in the organization.

Tere: As far as I know, all of them have worked in companies related to the fruit and vegetable industry or electronics. Thinking constructively, why do you think other people might be interested in working at INDUSER?

Paco Enrique: Because here we have freedom to work. Before INDUSER, I was in similar places, places where you couldn’t move from your workplace without managers or bosses thinking badly, or wanting to control you like “always go with the whip”. That is not the feeling you get at INDUSER at all!

Also, when an employee has points for improvement, the perception is mostly that you are being listened to. We have a good atmosphere, not only among those of us in the team, but also with other colleagues. In the work routine, it is appreciated that colleagues are truly willing to support.

Néstor Díaz: For my part, I can tell you that the only professional experience I’ve had is here at INDUSER, and to be the number of people we are, the environment is what is most valued. We, who are usually working on the street, feel that willingness to help when we need something from someone who is in the factory. Our teammates do what they can to help you solve the problem.  

Tere: How do you see yourselves as a department?

Néstor Díaz: I think we are a competent team. We are a small team, each of us meets a profile, we are qualified.  

Julio Otero: There are only six of us, that also makes communication flow well.

“Being out there for a year, with the clients, on your own, solving problems, is worth five years of being here working from the office”.
- Néstor Díaz.

Néstor Díaz: You have to know that many of us work with the machines at the customer’s facilities, that makes the experience huge. Being out there for a year, with the clients, on your own, solving problems, is worth five years of being here working from the office.

Tere: And what about development and innovation projects? Manuel Toro, since you are the one who has something up your sleeve, can you tell me what that process is like for you?

Manuel Toro: Once we are assigned a project, we first investigate. We take time to understand what we want to achieve, why we are going to do it, how we will get there, what possibilities are out there today, and what we can do on our own to be more profitable. Once we cover all that phase of investigating and planning, then we begin the development.

Tere: And what are we pursuing with all these developments?

Paco Enrique: To be able to better serve our clients with our own developments, to be more self-sufficient.  

Tere: We have many clients, and in this department they are also responsible for carrying out after-sales service. What countries do you cover and how are they organized?

“The technical service apply to everyone. We have a joke among us that says that the only place where the sun doesn’t set is INDUSER. The service we offer goes from America to Oceania”.
- Julio Otero.

Julio Otero: The technical service applies to everyone. We have a joke among us that says that the only place where the sun doesn’t set is INDUSER. The service we offer goes from America to Oceania. The remote assistance goes from Monday to Saturday. A task that we carry on between Néstor, our colleague Juan Manuel Mañas and me. We usually rotate. We get to lead once a month. To organize, we usually keep track of claims, breakdowns, in this way we have visibility and knowledge of each client’s case, and we can respond to their concerns by consulting the history.

Tere: Finally, what do you think the future of the department looks like?

Antonio: I think it looks good. Basically, we have to improve and move forward.

Paco: It looks Good! We are competent!

Tere: And… don’t you miss a woman in the department?

Paco: Of course! Look, I’ve tried. Once a girl came to leave her data for a professional internship, but in the end she didn’t join.  

Julio: Yes. Having a girl on the team would give another perspective.  

Pepe: In the end it is one more colleague.  

Néstor: That’s how it is! Anyone can give a different point of view.

Manuel Toro: It would be Good for the company. But not only with us, but also in the factory, in the mechanical work.  

Néstor: When we are with our clients, we notice it. More and more mechanical girls are seen in the factories.  

Tere: Well, step by step. Let’s see if when a new opportunity opens up. I am confident we Will be able to contribute to gender equality and diversity.

Thank you for letting us approach to your daily activity and to this department where you all feel the good vibes. Thanks for spreading that spirit to other colleagues and mainly, our customers.