I started my career at Bühler in 2015 as a boilermaker apprentice. My training taught me the intricacies of fabricating and reading drawings, and I became well-acquainted with the necessary skills. In 2019, I seized the opportunity to transition into the engineering department as a draftsman.
This new role presented a challenging environment with a steep learning curve. Despite the difficulties, I embraced every opportunity to grow. Although I didn't master everything, I gained invaluable knowledge and experience. The beginning was particularly tough because I lacked a strong background in engineering and didn't have a degree. My skills were limited to reading fabrication drawings, welding, and fabricating Bühler parts, making understanding engineering concepts a significant hurdle.
Communication was another challenge. Conveying my ideas accurately and ensuring they were understood by others sometimes led to misinterpretations. Nevertheless, these experiences have shaped my journey at Bühler, teaching me resilience and the importance of continuous learning.
Stories like mine illuminate the incredible potential that exists in young people. I am incredibly grateful to Bühler for believing in me and for fostering an environment in which we can grow and develop and make a positive difference.
I was fortunate to have a great team leader who always gave me the space to make mistakes and learn from them. There were moments when I felt incredibly frustrated with myself, unable to get anything right. Little did I know, this was all part of a journey towards something greater.
In August 2021, another department recognized my potential and saw that my engineering background and workshop experience could positively impact the Automation and Site Management department. My first project was the LFC in Wesselbron, Free State, South Africa. Although my role was minor, and I didn't get to do the "fun stuff," it laid a crucial foundation for my growth. The lessons I learned during that installation are invaluable to me, even today.
By March 2022, I was offered the role of Junior Installation Supervisor—a perfect fit for my experience and aspirations. This role allowed me to strive for something bigger and better than what I had previously known. My journey at Bühler has been one of continuous learning, growth, and the pursuit of greater opportunities, and I am grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve received along the way.
I believe that simply by doing, I am making an impact. There’s a saying, “Simple is more,” and I live by this. By putting on my boots and overalls each day, I make an impact. By commuting through African traffic to get to work at Bühler and then returning home to manage family responsibilities, I make an impact.
My family, community, friends, and colleagues witness the effort I put in, and they see the impact I’m making. Impact, in my view, depends on the audience.
Coming from a small, little-known town in South Africa, my story is a testament to perseverance. With only a high school certificate, I have risen to become a qualified boilermaker and then a supervisor. My journey can inspire and change lives, proving that even the simplest actions can create significant impact.
Over the past nine years at Bühler, my career has transformed from working on the workshop floor to the engineering office and finally to site installation. While this change might not seem so dramatic, it has been a journey filled with tears, sacrifices, failures, and growth.
Throughout these years, I’ve had to adapt, change my mind, and evolve with life. My understanding and skills in engineering have been continually developing. I've learned about factory layout design, aspiration planning, bills of materials, AutoCAD, and IT tools like MS Word, Excel, and SAP. I've also gained knowledge in wheat, maize, and feed milling, Bühler equipment, and Bühler standards. These skills have grown significantly and continue to expand.
My journey at Bühler is a testament to resilience and continuous learning. Every challenge has shaped me into a better professional, and I’m excited to keep growing and contributing to our success.
My journey at Bühler is a testament to resilience and continuous learning. Every challenge has shaped me into a better professional, and I’m excited to keep growing and contributing to our success.
Bühler is a vibrant, multicultural community where people from all over the world collaborate to achieve common goals. This diversity is a huge advantage, broadening your knowledge through a rich tapestry of individual experiences.
At Bühler, no one is a know-it-all. Your career here is a lifelong journey of learning and growth. Bühler constantly innovates, seeking better, faster, and more efficient ways to sustain and grow the business, driving advancements in the food processing industry.
Bühler offers abundant training opportunities, allowing employees to migrate from one department to another, fostering continuous growth in skills, technology, and ideas.
On a personal level, my time at Bühler has given me a deeper understanding of the world around me. I've learned how to manage money, plan effectively, be accountable, and communicate better. Working here has changed a generation in my family, setting the stage for the next generation to be better communicators and solution-driven individuals.
The biggest skills I’ve integrated into my life are soft skills like planning, goal-setting, communication, managing expectations, and embracing failure. I now understand why people say to manage your life like a mini business. Bühler has not just shaped my career, it has also profoundly impacted my personal development.
Join Bühler, and embark on a journey of endless learning and growth, surrounded by a community that values diversity and innovation.
In my spare time, I immerse myself in the joy of spending quality moments with family and friends. There's a unique satisfaction in being handy around the house, whether it's building new projects or fixing things that need attention. My dedication extends beyond home; I take pride in working with the youth in my community, guiding and supporting them to build brighter futures.
I find inspiration in listening to podcasts on various topics, including politics, sports, entrepreneurship, leadership, life coaching, and Christianity. These insights fuel my passion for continuous learning and personal growth.
My curiosity drives me to conduct extensive research on engineering, business, and the social issues contributing to youth unemployment. I constantly brainstorm innovative ideas to make a positive impact and drive meaningful change in my community.
Each day, I strive to balance my personal interests with a commitment to making the world a better place, one step at a time.
Working at Bühler has changed a generation in my family, setting the stage for the next generation to be better communicators and solution-driven individuals.
