When you work in high tech industries, like we at Aalberts advanced mechatronics do, you have to keep evolving. That means being willing to try new things, being brave enough to make mistakes, and enjoying taking on a challenge. One of our employees that embodies all of these qualities is Steve Prins, Production Planner at Mogema.
real-world experience
Steve got started at Mogema by doing a project here during his master’s in industrial engineering and management at the University of Twente. He had learned a lot of theory, but for his project he wanted a more hands-on experience. “I didn’t want to just sit behind a desk,” he says. “I wanted to work in a real operational environment and get out on the production floor.”
Steve has gotten that real-world experience and then some, because before he even finished his project he was invited to join Mogema full time as a Production Planner. That’s partly due to good timing (the previous production planner was leaving) and partly because Mogema needed help getting their new “value stream” approach to production up and running. “I was in the right place at the right time in more ways than one,” he says.
“standing still is going backwards”
The value stream Steve is part of is Large Frames Aluminum, which focuses on building frames for the machines used to print microchips. When he started his new role back in May 2024 things were hectic, but since then things have calmed down, giving the new value stream team time to settle in. “At first we were pushing, pushing, pushing,” he says. “Now we have time to properly assess our processes. As we say in Dutch, ‘standing still is going backwards.’ We need to keep developing and improving.”
That does come with some growing pains, of course. “A big challenge we face is the fact that we’re focused on our own products, but we share resources with other value streams,” Steve explains. “This causes conflicts sometimes, but it’s also fun because I get to learn about the other value streams. That’s a great thing about working here. You can learn from everyone and everyone can learn from you.”
a really good company to start your career
That openness is one of Steve’s favorite things about Mogema. “You can speak to everyone,” he says. “It’s quite informal and I really like that. Of course, when we need to work, we work seriously, but we have a laugh every day. I can tell someone they’ve done something incorrectly, but then we share a joke and it’s over. It’s a really healthy relationship to have with colleagues, in my opinion.”
This is also helping Steve quickly grow into his role. “Mogema isn’t a place where if you make one mistake, you’re out,” he says. “If you had good reasons for why you did something and it turns out you made a mistake, that’s OK. You can’t change what’s already happened, so just try to correct it (correctly) and learn from it. I think in this sense it’s a really good company to start your career.”
an opportunity for growth
Steve isn’t one to fixate on the future too much, but there is one development he’s excited about. “A big reason I joined Mogema is the fact that we’re building the new factory in Dronten and taking a big step into the next generation of industry,” he says. “To be part of such a big transition – and all the challenges that come with it – is a growth opportunity few get this early in their careers. There will be a steep learning curve, but based on what I’ve experienced here so far, it will be very fun to be a part of it.”
