26 years of production management at SCHNEEBERGER: Constant innovation paired with consistency and foresight.
Andreas Gautschi worked as a qualified mechanical engineer at MAAG-Verzahnung in Zurich before taking over as production manager at SCHNEEBERGER. He made a decisive contribution to development over 26 years and is now taking his well-deserved retirement.
Andreas Gautschi longtime production manager of J SCHNEEBERGER Maschinen AG
1. How has the company changed over the last 30 years, and which developments have impressed you personally the most ?
Looking back over the last 26 years, we have continuously developed the machine types and optimized them in all areas: Direct drives, powerful motor spindles and new electronics. All five of our machine types have gone through three generations in that time.
- Aries: NC - ENP - NGP
- Norma: NC - CFG - NGC
- Sirius: PPI - HPM - NGS
- Gemini: MRG - DMR - NGM
- Corvus: SMG - GDS – NGB
Our machines have also been continuously developed in the area of unmanned production. Over time, the first gantry loaders were replaced by purchased articulated robots. The entire automation system became increasingly compact and reduced the space required by the user.
2. What were the biggest challenges during your time in management and how did you overcome them?
If assembly is to work effectively, all materials must be available at the start of assembly. This was often a challenge due to changes in the equipment lists until shortly before the start of assembly. Thanks to our high in-house production depth, we were usually able to cushion this dynamic working method.
The switch from pure series production to the consumption-controlled production of individual parts has increased the effort required to control the availability of parts in logistics.
3. Which successes and milestones during your career at the company are you proud of?
Continuous new investments in the area of parts production have laid a solid foundation for the company's success. With the acquisition of the MCM Clock Tank 1300 machining center with 58 pallet spaces and a tool magazine with 400 spaces, the increasing demand for machined castings has been met to this day.
4. What advice would you give to young managers starting their careers today?
- Setting a good example and taking responsibility
- Fighting for your own ideas and convictions
- Modesty: more "being than appearing"
- Addressing employees' problems and listening to them
- Keeping an eye on performance (work per unit of time)
5. What are your plans and goals for retirement, and are there things you want to do now that you didn't have time for during your career?
- Doing more sport
- Home renovation
- Restoring old motorcycles
- Enjoying peace and nature in Lapland
We would like to thank you Andreas for everything you have done for J. Schneeberger Maschinen AG over the last 26 years! All the best for the future and a happy retirement. Enjoy the small and big moments and find fulfillment in everything you do.