Since October Andreas Wirz (32), electronics technician TS, has been working at CREALET as a technical assistant. He was previously working as a team leader within electronics production.
The interview.
Mr Wirz, since 01 October 2015 you have been an integral part the CREALET team, and are working in it as a technical assistant. What are your first impressions after nearly a month in Eschenbach?
I’m excited about my new challenge, to be working with customers and suppliers on specific projects within control engineering. It’s interesting to see the different drive technologies in specific applications. The constructive collaboration within the new team has also convinced me that we will achieve creative solutions.
Before coming to CREALET, you were working within the production of control systems, drive technology and complex components; tell us what led you to this and what your work encompassed.
I have been interested in electronics since I was a child. I completed an electronics technician apprenticeship at the company Brunner Elektronik. After the training, I was able to solidify my knowledge in the testing department. My diligent and reliable way of working was rewarded with the opportunity of learning a new area of responsibility as an Assembly Manager. With a cooperative management style and the trust of my co-workers, my responsibilities grew to include the area of the SMD department and Safety Supervisor.
In the textile industry there is a mega trend towards technical textiles, with new characteristics, new functions and new application areas. What specific challenges do you see for textile producers in the next five years?
The demand for technical textiles will continue to grow in the future. Technical textiles offer various solutions, which are being used within medical technology and the industrial and building industries. The challenge for textile producers is to position themselves at the forefront of technology with great innovative strength.
As a manufacturer of critical components for increasing the quality and efficiency of textile production, and in light of the recently revealed job cuts at Rieter in Winterthur, what kind of development prospects do you see for a Swiss SME in the weaving machine manufacturing sector?
The machinery industry is of course suffering under the persisting euro crisis. Future prospects had to be adapted. Yet, a number of SMEs in Switzerland are surprisingly resilient. These kinds of crises offer companies the opportunity of rethinking their position in the market, and force them to create new, innovative solutions. Cooperation with Swiss partners is essential for the quick realisation of high-quality products. Flexible and innovative companies who are able to gain a foothold with niche products will be rewarded.
The ITMA 2015 in Milan is taking place soon. You will be attending the world’s largest fair of the textile industry for the first time with your father Walter Wirz. What are your anticipations and expectations?
I am looking forward to investigating the different weaving machine manufacturers and their products. And of course, I look forward to meeting CREALET’s customer network. I also hope that both our existing and potential customers recognise our innovative designs, so that we may continue to provide solutions within the various weaving technologies.