Rinaldo Zenklusen - E & I Manager, Braine l'Alleud, Belgium
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1. What is your current role at Lonza?
I am responsible for the electric, automation and metrology parts of the Lonza Braine plant. Lonza Braine is a small plant with only 300 employees in the Peptide business. I currently work on the new 15kV electric power connection and on the relighting of the plant. We resolve automation and metrology problems on a daily basis.
2. What were the reasons to go abroad?
After finishing my engineering studies in 1994, I was interested in going to other countries to work in order to see and learn about different cultures. But then life went in a different direction. I worked from 1994 to 2009 in the aluminum industries in Sierre (VS) as automation and project engineer. In 2009 I had the opportunity to change to Lonza Visp with the option to go abroad. I worked one year in Visp and have been in Braine, Belgium since July 2010.
3. How is the relationship with the colleagues abroad?
The people in Belgium are very open and friendly; they remind me of my old colleagues in the French part of Switzerland. Building personal relationships is an important aspect in the daily business.
4. Would you recommend to a colleague to go abroad?
Yes, of course. You can learn a lot about these countries and not only the business aspects.
You have the possibility to learn about the people, the life in general and the local specialties. Belgium is famous for Beer, Waffles and French fries. Belgium has coasts, historical cities and technical specialties like the boat lifts between the different water ways.
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Roger Ritz - Plant Chemist, Nansha, China
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1. What is your educational background and what are you currently doing?
After an apprenticeship as Chemical Technician at Lonza Visp, Switzerland I went to university to study Chemistry. Then I came back to Lonza to work as a plant Chemist. Now I’m working in Nansha. My target is to start up the new SSP and API plant including the entire organization. This task includes product transfers as well as support of the local operations teams.
2. What were the reasons to go abroad?
I always dreamt of an assignment abroad but I didn’t really strive towards such a job. The request from my former business unit leader to go abroad came at the right time. This is my first international assignment.
3. What are the major differences working abroad compared to your home country?
The way of organization is different in China compared to Switzerland. Both ways have advantages. Success is more celebrated in China and that creates an atmosphere of recognition. At the beginning, people were somehow reserved. There was some scepticism, which is understandable. But after a transition period I (and the other Swiss colleagues) were accepted and are now fully supported by our Chinese colleagues. This makes it very enjoyable to work with these motivated people.
4. Would you recommend to a colleague to go abroad?
Of course! My girlfriend and I often say that it would have been a pity to miss this experience. After the first headaches to move eastwards instead of westwards, I am now more than happy – and would even repeat it – to have chosen the way eastwards. It is a great experience and very interesting to see what this region is undergoing at the moment. Lonza offers a lot of opportunities for people who like to take up the challenges and chances.
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