What Our Employees Are Saying: Production and Production Support

We interviewed a cross-section of those who work for us to find out more about life with Yanmar Compact Equipment EMEA.

Christelle Berrard

Transport & Customs Manager

What is your background with Yanmar?

I joined Yanmar in November 2016 as Transport and Customs Manager for French sites. This position represented a major challenge for me because, although the world of transport was not unknown to me, I was still waiting to discover the world of customs. Yanmar trusted me and gave me the opportunity to take the training necessary to fully manage the onsite customs-related activity. Today I continue to fulfil the twin missions of my role.

What are your main job roles today?

My main function is the management of transport. I am in charge of selecting transport providers who will be able to provide quality service at the best price, factoring in delivery times, load security and so on. I manage all incoming and outgoing movement, whether by land, sea or air. I also develop and monitor cost and performance indicators and manage any delivery disputes.

My second function is customs management. I have to ensure good practice in terms of import and export declarations. I have an internal duty of advice, information and alerts in matters of customs regulations, but I am responsible for international formalities as well. I also represent the company vis-à-vis customs authorities and public bodies. I have to be impeccable when it comes to customs and keeping up to date with the various regulations. That’s why I have regular meetings and training provided by customs authorities and various chambers of commerce.

What do you like most about your job?

I like my job a lot because it involves constant evolution – I need to be thorough and inquisitive to stay up to date with international regulations. My job also gives me great autonomy and ensures I stay in touch with all that’s happening globally. No two days are ever alike, which is something I really appreciate.

What do you like in Yanmar?

The multitude of intra- and extra-community exchanges offered by Yanmar as well as the nature of the products produced make careers here extremely attractive. Few companies allow as much diversity in what they do.

What makes you proud to work for Yanmar?

I am proud to work for Yanmar because, first of all, it is a company very rooted in local life, where it is good to work. The company is very concerned about the well-being of its employees. Numerous events are organised to improve group cohesion. But Yanmar is also recognized worldwide for the quality of its products. It is a dynamic, forward-looking company that opens its door to young people, but to older people as well.

Hervé Henry

Methods Technician

What is your background with Yanmar?

I joined the company in 1993 as a welder and bending operative. Two years after my arrival, I was given responsibility for the Manufacturing Workshop. In 2013, I was appointed Head of the Assembly Workshop and today, thanks to all these experiences, I hold the position of Methods Technician.

What are your main job roles today?

I programme machine tools and work on the overall improvement of the Manufacturing Workshop. For this, I rely on methods and tools for continuous improvement, such as Kaizen. I work a lot in the field and on the machines but especially with employees, to define and implement work instructions together, among other tasks.

What do you like most about your job?

My projects are very varied, and I am in contact with other departments every day. I also work a lot with my Japanese colleagues. We all learn from each other, as a team, and the benefits are clear to see. I see our factory evolving every day.

What do you like about Yanmar?

Yanmar is a company which allows those who work for it to progress in their career; I’m a great example.
In parallel with what we do, Yanmar also allows us to indulge in beautiful experiences outside work, by supporting us on sports projects or community activities. Among other things, I twice had the chance to go to play a football tournament in Osaka, Japan.

What makes you proud to work for Yanmar?

I was only the 54th employee to be hired here, and am one of the longest-serving to date. I am very proud of the development of my factory, which I have seen grow from year to year. Today, Yanmar in France employs almost 500 people: it’s one of the biggest companies in the region.

Martin Ziegelbauer

Health & Safety Officer

What is your background with Yanmar?

I started my apprenticeship in 1980 and undertook further personal development in several areas of production. After qualification as supervisor, I was in charge of disposition of tools and afterwards I worked in procurement for several years. In 2009, I finished training as an occupational health and safety specialist and have been working as the appointed Health and Safety Officer ever since.

What are your main job roles today?

I support all employees in Crailsheim and Rothenburg in the areas of work safety, safeguarding health and environmental protection. Prevention of accidents and injuries is one of my foremost concerns.

What do you like most about your job?

I help lead the development of a safety culture in the company and I the challenge to convince all employees of their responsibility for a clean and safe workplace.

What makes you proud to work for Yanmar?

I identify myself with the company and I am proud to be a part of it. The realisation of long-term planning and a comprehensive strategy is part of the culture here. Even if I hadn’t been with the company for 40 years and counting, I would have been happy to join it at any time.

Words of Collaborators