“I was thrown in at the deep end right away”

“The day started with setting up a machine after the previous order had been completed,” Ebert begins. “Every new order requires a completely new configuration based on its specific dimensions. And only once the tests are approved can the machine be started. It’s more complex than it appears from the outside. An operator really needs to know exactly what they’re doing.

It was definitely interesting. Throughout the day, I visited other machines as well, asked questions everywhere and listened to the people who work with them every day. I learned a lot.”

So what stuck with you?

“I learned a lot about box drawings. During my visits to the machines, I heard that the gap between production and technical preparation is still too big today. Drawings go straight to the machines, and if there are errors or unclear details, you only notice them later. The right feedback from production could help avoid that, I think.

What also struck me was how precise the setup process actually is. Distances are measured exactly, colours are checked, everything has to be perfect down to the smallest detail. I didn’t realise beforehand how much measuring, entering and checking was involved. The operator’s job comes with a lot of responsibility. That’s sometimes underestimated.”

Were there things that surprised you?

“In preparing an order, many more factors play a role than you’d expect at first glance. For example, sometimes it’s better to place fewer boxes on a die-cut form. That has little to do with design reasons, but rather with the fact that it would otherwise be too much for the stacking robot.

I also got a detailed look at technical aspects such as the die-cut form and the knives. Things I didn’t think much about before, but that have a direct impact on how smoothly an order runs.”

Did this Switch change your view of your own job?

“Yes, and quite a bit (laughs). When you truly understand the impact of production, you can support your explanations much more strongly and speak to customers with greater confidence. What I learned that day isn’t something you’ll find in a manual. You only really understand how something works when you’ve seen it up close.”

Would you recommend such a Switch to your colleagues?

“Without a doubt! For colleagues with more experience within VPK, a day like this is incredibly valuable because you get to understand processes up close. For people who haven’t been here that long, the Switch is limited to observing, but even that can be valuable.”