Career Stories

Can you briefly describe your background and the path that led you to your current position at Burgmann Packings?

Starting my professional journey as a mechanical engineer, I found myself immersed in project management roles within a consulting firm. Here, I worked alongside R&D centers of shipyards, machinery manufacturers, and logistics companies. However, as my proficiency in managing projects improved, I realized I was equally drawn to the technical aspects. This understanding led me to seek a career where I could balance both managerial and technical skills. That‘s when I discovered Burgmann Packings. Impressed by their innovative engineering team, I eagerly joined them and embraced the opportunities to grow my technical expertise.

What is your role at Burgmann Packings, and how does it contribute to the overall objectives and goals of the company?

In my dual role as R&D Manager and Production Engineer at Burgmann Packings‘ Turkish plant, I function as the technical pivot driving the company‘s objectives. Our goal is to develop and produce cutting-edge, low emission technologies to aid global customers in reducing their environmental footprint. This objective requires a committed engineering team focused on research, testing, implementation, and production. In my capacity, I work across all stages of development, striving to enhance product quality, meet industry-related requirements, and solve problems for our customers.

What‘s one significant way your role or responsibilities have evolved since you started at Burgmann Packings?

Initially joining Burgmann Packings as an R&D Engineer, my responsibilities expanded as I delved deeper into the industry, gaining insights about our products and customers‘ needs. Consequently, I took on additional roles as a Production Engineer. Currently, I manage and collaborate with a 15-member team, strategizing to achieve the company‘s production goals.

As a leader within the company, how do you foster creativity and innovation among your team members?

As a leader, my philosophy is to nurture a culture of openness and collaboration. I empower each team member to voice their ideas, as this involvement often results in creative and innovative solutions. Also, being technically involved, I ensure they have the necessary resources to bring their ideas to fruition, thus propelling our shared vision.

The sealing industry, like many others, is undergoing significant changes and advancements. What innovations or trends do you see as most impactful for Burgmann Packings in the near future?

The sealing industry, particularly Burgmann Packings, will be significantly impacted by two main developments. The first stems from the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) and the Paris Agreement. Since the agreement‘s ratification in 2021, there has been a surge in demand for emission control and FEC products. I anticipate that meeting this demand will become a primary focus in the sealing industry. Simultaneously, there‘s a trend towards greater automation to enhance production capacity. The second development concerns the proposed ban by The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on the production and use of PFASs, including PTFE - a substance heavily utilized in the sealing industry for its performance-enhancing and friction-reducing properties. Consequently, finding an alternative to PTFE will be a crucial challenge facing our industry and, by extension, Burgmann Packings.

What‘s your favourite part about working at Burgmann Packings, and why?

Burgmann Packings offers me a work environment that ideally blends my desire for both technical and managerial involvement. I treasure the opportunities to learn from our seasoned experts and apply their insights. Further enriching my experience is our multicultural and international structure, making every day at Burgmann Packings a unique learning adventure.