New website column at Powerspex: At the Buttons. Each month, a Powerspex employee takes a seat behind the specially built switchboard. With each push of a button, a question appears on the screen for him to answer honestly. Pressed the buttons, interview posted? Then the interviewee's name is immortalized on the switch box. When all the workers have been, the box is full. But that will take some time...
Werner Heβ has the scoop: he is the first to press the buttons on the Powerspex switch box.
Name: Werner Heβ
Age: 43
Residence: Apeldoorn
Marital status: engaged to Krista, father of Lena (almost 3) and Tobias (2 months)
Function: senior software engineer
Since when have you been working at Powerspex and how did you end up there?
"Since 2002. I started there as a graduate student for HTS electrical engineering and worked on a book study on safety systems. There was also the practical assignment of building a safety system for combustion plants using the knowledge I had gained.
I was almost done with the assignment when Jan Wilmink appeared at my desk. Had you already applied for a job somewhere? he asked. No, I hadn't. But I wanted to come and work at Powerspex. Here I have the kind of work I still really like."
Would you recommend working at Powerspex to others?
"Yes because the atmosphere is good. If you like fun work in a not always organized environment, this is a good place to be. By that I mean that the work is not always very protocol-based, or via fixed lines. Instead, we are challenged to show our own initiative, think along and take action."
What has been the biggest challenge you have encountered in your work so far?
"Running full projects abroad at a young age. Over a span of 3 years, I worked on two projects in Singapore, converting five large boilers. During the follow-up project, I was given even more responsibilities and it was completed well. As a result, more such projects came and I ended up in Belgium, England and Portugal.
I learned from that that I prefer to work on projects that are unique, not copied from previous projects. That's what I really enjoy working on.
By the way, I worked on another great challenge: the Ferris wheel in Dubai. It was a great and special project, but technically difficult. I have been to Dubai three times and found it very interesting to work on a very important question: how do you make something like that safe?"
Who is your favorite colleague? And your favorite customer?
"As for colleagues: all colleagues in the software department. I enjoy working with them.
As for customer: Edgar Kobus. I first worked with him in Singapore and then several times with him as a client to my satisfaction. His projects are never boring."
If you hadn't been a software engineer, what profession would you have wanted to be in?
"As a kid, I said auto mechanic. Ambulance operator also seems like an interesting profession because of having to make a lot of choices under time pressure."
What is it like to work at the Veenendaal location as well?
"I think I should know the people in both locations, which is why I try my best to work regularly in Veenendaal as well. I was used to Hengelo, but in Veenendaal it is also fine, with pleasant people."
Do you take your work home with you? Be honest: what is controlled by a PLC in your home?
"If I don't want plcs anywhere, it's in the house, haha. But I do take my work home with me indeed. I can always be reached. For colleagues anyway, but also for customers."
We work with the switchboard in this column as a symbol of work at Powerspex, but how often do you actually work with it?
"In the beginning a lot, nowadays less, but on all projects I do find myself with my nose in one of those control cabinets again."
Is this box even TÜV geprüft?
"I don't think so. It depends on what it has to be inspected for, but I could say something about its quality....
I recently repeated the course so I am TÜV certified, along with other colleagues. Not necessarily an easy course, but interesting."
What do you do in your spare time?
"These days mostly with my kids, but my wife and I have motorcycling as a hobby. I have a 1946 Nimbus - which is in 'perpetual maintenance' - and a 1976 BMW.
I also do ballroom dancing at Bokdams in Hengelo; amateur seniors open class. The competitions are all over the country."
How do you manage to combine fatherhood with work?
"With arts and crafts, haha. We both work four days - Krista is a lawyer - and we are happy that the daycare is open until 6:30 p.m. Krista brings, I pick up. It's working so far, but I'm curious to see how the schedule changes when they go to school.
I think paternity leave is a very important issue, as is keeping time off for children. I could work 24 hours a day if I wanted to, but I think it's important to be there for them when they need me. Some moments with my children are sacred, although sometimes they have to wait when a colleague or client calls.
And well, clients and colleagues have really seen a child pass by during Teams-meeting, especially in corona time and on my dad days."
What do you wish for Powerspex in the future?
"May it continue to be a fun, friendly and healthy company."
Glad you wanted to be the first to take a seat behind this switchboard. You may now think of one question for the person whose turn it is next.
"'What inspires you to work at Powerspex?'
Personally, I love working on projects for satisfied customers, but what is it like for others?"