How did you join Melaco?

It was twelve years ago when the company I was working for at the time filed for bankruptcy. I went to the Employment Office, registered as unemployed. In my case, it didn’t take long, because in Melaco they needed a machine operator. At that time, I already had three years of experience in this position, also in the furniture industry. The technology was also the same, only new materials, different profiles, foils, etc.

So you had a chance to observe the changes that have taken place in Melaco over the last decade. What has changed during this time?

The company changed a lot, practically from year to year. In terms of the number of orders, new foils and profiles imported. Everything that we sent to our clients as patterns was met with approval. We received orders and so slowly production developed.

Do you work on the same machine all the time?

Yes, everyone is assigned to a specific machine. I am the only operator of my machine, and now I train my colleauge for this position. It happens that for some reason production cannot start and then I am assigned to other machines, but only as an assistant. Usually, one device is operated by two people. But this is rarely the case. Most often it is related to the suppliers – when the materials don’t arrive on time.

It is a big responsibility to train another person for a position? Is it a stressful task?

No, it’s not stressful, but I have to be more careful with this person, I have to watch over her so that nothing happens. I can’t, for example, get out and leave the machines running. When it is not activated, she waits, prepares materials or fills in the documentation. I can’t leave her unattended with the machine.

Twelve years of work in one place is a lot. What keeps you in Melaco?

Sincerely? That there’s only one shift. This is important because then you can plan your weekends and go somewhere. Before I even entered the furniture industry, I worked in a bakery – my profession is food technology technician. Back then, I worked mostly at night. As a young man, it wasn’t a big deal, but from year to year each night was more and more tiring. In addition, my family complained, they couldn’t do anything, because I was always asleep (laughs).

And the second reason is that I like to do it. The job of a machine operator suits me. This is important because if you like what you do, then you will want to keep the job.

What do you do in your free time? How do you relax after a working day?

There is a lot of thing to do on my list, but certainly the most absorbing hobby are puzzles, the more advanced ones, 3,000, 4,000 pieces and more. Hardly anyone likes it, because puzzles require a lot of patience. They also take a lot of time. I arrange 3,000 elements in two weeks, devoting three to four hours a day. People are surprised when I say this, people like me are called by crazy enthusiasts (laughs).

The patience and precision that puzzles require are also part of everyday work at Melaco. Does this hobby help you in your daily duties?

Definitely. I look at each element as a puzzle piece and it makes my work a lot easier. I can see it in my head right away, how these templates are to be arranged and this is how I put them on the table. The colleague I’m training asks me how I do it, but I tell her that if she works as much as I do, she will know it too. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Thank you for the interview.