Measure maxinautes: ANDY

Briefly introduce yourself.

Andy "I'm Andy Frickelo, 44 years old, almost 45. I live in Kuurne and have 3 children. A son aged 24, a daughter aged 22 and the youngest aged 14. I am a service technician and have already gained experience at several companies."

How long have you been working at Maxicon?

Andy: "Four years ago, I made the switch to Maxicon after years of permanent employment. To this day, I haven't regretted it for a second."

How did you end up at Maxicon?

Andy: "At one point, I resigned from my previous job due to circumstances. I was without a job so then I immediately registered with vdab. At the first five employers who called me, I made an appointment including, therefore, Maxicon. Then things gained momentum and I was able to start working quickly."

How do you experience the project at Ninix?

Andy: " Ninix is a technology company in Bruges where they produce machines, but I'm in the development phase of mechanical engineering. It's a company that mainly works on prototypes. No standard machines, but really customised work mainly aimed at the medical sector both at home and abroad. I have been there since April and have the honour of collaborating on a machine that is being converted for Brazil.

When I started at Maxicon, I immediately preferred long-term projects. I am a person who likes to settle down and hence the choice. We always end up in a different company and, as an external, you don't always get the bestwork. That is a lesser side to outsourcing although I cannot complain about the projects I have already done, partly because I am open to sleeping out for my job. In 2019, for example, I spent seven months on assignment in Antwerp. I also worked in Luxembourg, Eupen and Rouen. Then, unfortunately, there was corona which made this impossible. For me personally, there are no disadvantages to the outsourcing sector. Four years ago, I made that choice and jumped into the unknown. I have not regretted it for a second."

Describe a typical working day.

Andy: "I am currently working on a machine that was designed in the Netherlands that is being converted for the company in Brazil. There are only two machines of this type. I am responsible from A to Z for the conversion as I am the only mechanic between the programmers and electricians. So all parts of the machine have passed through my hands. I get the drawings and all necessary parts are also usually delivered correctly. If any modifications are still needed, I can turn, mill or grind, everything is at hand. That is also the nice thing about this project, I get a lot of responsibility and freedom. Every day has something different in store, mighty skwon work."

What would you do if you could trade a day with the boss?

Andy: "(sighs) Honestly, I wouldn't know. I wouldn't immediately change anything about how Maxicon operates today. I have been working here for four years now and there is always a friendly atmosphere. You can always turn to Rebecca and Deborah, but also to Emmanuel, Sophie, Emily and the rest of the office team. If you have any questions, you immediately get a decent answer. Yes is yes and no is no. The atmosphere is also great among colleagues and the parties are unforgettable. The last party in honour of the fifth anniversary was loose about itin the positive sense (laughs). For me it's good the way it is, you won't hear me complain."

For you, so far, what has been the highlight of your career?

Andy: "The highlight was surely the^5th birthday party, our first party after the corona period. It was really the max, all the trimmings. The employees who have been with us for five years have received mighty gifts so I hope the same will be true for me soon (laughs).

On the work front, I have two highlights. First, my period at Viscon. For this project, I often got to sleep out like the period in Antwerp where we were with six colleagues. Both during and after work, I have very good memories of this. Also, the project at Cretes for which I was in Verviers and Rouen. This was one of the most beautiful works I had the pleasure of working on. We started from an empty hangar in which we installed a complete machine park. I hope many more projects like this will follow because this really suits me 100%. I am someone who needs variety. You shouldn't put me on a conveyor belt for eight hours at a time, that would drive me crazy. I need challenges and I also need to see progress in my work. To Deborah, I want to tip my hat. Since she has been there, I have always got nice projects that I am very happy with. I have told her that several times as well."

Are you still satisfied? What do you like most about your job?

Andy: "Mainly the variety you have. You start from zero and see the construction of a machine from a to z. After a few months, you have assembled a complete machine and that is satisfying. I wouldn't want to go back to my previous life where I worked in permanent employment for 13 years. I learned a lot there, but I don't see myself returning to a fixed workplace every day. I need too much challenge for that, I know myself. I also have my limitations and I am honest with the customer, because sooner or later you fall through anyway. I now know very well what I can and cannot do. I am no longer in the phase of my life where I want to learn a lot. I prefer to continue in the things I am good at."

Would you recommend friends to come and work here?

Andy: "Over the years, I have already been able to put three people on. Here you get many benefits that you don't have in a factory such as hospitalisation insurance. The car is also a big cost that you save if you opt for a private car like in my case. If you are looking for challenge and ready for something new, outsourcing is booming business today. As a technician, you need not be afraid to jump in. Should it not be your thing you can always take a step back. Why not try and take the plunge. I myself did the same and haven't regretted it for a second. If I had known four years ago what my job looks like today, I might have taken the step 10 years earlier. You come into contact with several companies and get to know many people. I even still have close contact with colleagues from past projects. In my opinion, you also stay on the spot after working in the same environment for a long time. They once told me that you have to change employers every five years if you want to keep growing. At Maxicon, you have the advantage of having that variety within the same company. I would definitely recommend it."

Do you have any tips/advice for colleagues or starting engineers?

Andy: "Listening, young people sometimes have a bit of a hard time with that. Agreed, they have certainly gained knowledge from school, but that doesn't mean you know everything better. Also, dare to ask for help instead of doing your own thing and running into the wall. With your ears and eyes you can steal a lot on the shop floor."

Does Andy's story appeal to you?

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