"I like that I am given responsibility. It motivates me that I'm allowed to handle plants and projects myself – this is the best way to learn new skills."

What is your history with MARTIN?

The first time I dealt with the thermal treatment of waste was when I wrote my bachelor's thesis, in which I researched ceramic glass coatings for heat exchangers. Following my degree, I completed a trainee program in Austria and was then looking for an employer in Munich. By way of a temporary employment, I joined MARTIN in November 2018. I have been permanently employed since August 2019.

What exactly do you do at MARTIN?

My area of responsibility covers large projects such as the Malmö treatment plant, where I was responsible for the control and instrumentation equipment and plant and mechanical engineering. As well as many smaller projects in the areas of the removal of components or the estimation of the service life and includes the drawing up of quotations as well as monitoring erection and start-up activities in all of Europe. The most exciting moment for me is the time after the completion of installation work just before start-up: this is the most critical point in time.

What do you like best about your work?

What I like best about my work is the combination of exciting office work, engineering and the appointments on site. Being on site is important since only through the experience gained locally can you achieve optimum results in the office.
I like that MARTIN as an employer recognizes and promotes making contact in person and gaining insight into the situation on site. Doing so is very important for supporting customers and plants ideally and for producing high-quality work results.
My work is also characterized by the fact that every customer and every plant have their own requirements. There are cultural differences with how you communicate, with engineering but also with respect to how plants and components are maintained and operated. This is very rewarding for me – every order broadens my range of experiences and I keep understanding the market more and more.

Why did you decide to study mechanical engineering?

I first wanted to study electrical engineering, but that was too uninspiring for me. I can't explain exactly what made me choose mechanical engineering. Before I was born, my parents made a bet. My mother always said: "If it's a daughter, she will become an engineer!"

Why should women work for MARTIN?

Speaking in general, more women should become engineers. In technical jobs, which are often dominated by men, women in the team bring valuable additional aspects to the table. 25 % of MARTIN's employees are women – that's not bad but could be better!
My experience is: if a woman wants to perform well and get ahead, MARTIN offers all opportunities. The superiors offer a lot of support and share their knowledge. You are given responsibility and can't hide behind the company's structures – if you are keen on that, MARTIN is perfect for you.

What motivates you at MARTIN?

The office. The nice colleagues. Drinking coffee on the roof deck. The working atmosphere. The projects are exciting and I like going to the office.
I like that I am given responsibility. It motivates me that I'm allowed to handle plants and projects myself – this is the best way to learn new skills.

"What I like at MARTIN is the open-door policy, being directly in touch with my colleagues. You feel so comfortable that you just don't want to leave any more."

What is your history with MARTIN?

After my studies and initial work experiences, I wanted to gauge my value on the market and applied for a job with MARTIN. From the very beginning, I have been working for the projects & sales division. I have been a department head for more than 15 years now and am responsible for our cooperation partners and licence holders. In this position, I am among other things in charge for the design and for quotations for the combustion system. I am also involved in establishing new partnerships.
In the beginning, I thought I'd stay for some 3 to 5 years... but I'm still here. That definitely speaks in the company's favour!

How do you contribute with your work?

The cooperation and licensing business is an important domain for MARTIN. The orders our partners place with us contribute towards our numerous international reference projects. We are indeed in a position to compete with large companies although we are comparatively small.

How long have you been with MARTIN?

On 1st April 2022, I actually had my 30th anniversary at the company. And what's more, I wouldn't even want it any other way. Of course, many things have changed during this time, in particular with respect to the IT systems. We have introduced efficient structures for our processes and in this way significantly advanced the division.

What is your perception about MARTIN's working atmosphere?

I like the open-door policy, being directly in touch with my colleagues. You feel so comfortable that you just don't want to leave any more. With some of my colleagues in my department I have been working for twenty years – we are an extremely well-functioning team!

How would you describe MARTIN as an employer?

In my opinion, what makes MARTIN really special is that not every trend, not every economic development is immediately followed blindly. The company is aware of its tradition but at the same time also modern – and always with a good sense of proportion.

"We are the first to actuate a plant's components automatically. That's very fascinating."

What is your history with MARTIN?

Immediately after my environmental engineering studies at the University of Stuttgart, I spotted MARTIN's job offer for a start-up engineer in the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. I applied and they employed me straightaway.

How long have you been with MARTIN?

I have been with the company since 2011. I was the first female start-up engineer and am currently also the only one. Since autumn 2021 I have been the head of the commissioning department with eleven staff members. I hope that more women would like to join my team.

What exactly do you do at MARTIN?

As start-up engineers, we are the first to actuate a plant's components automatically. Cold start-up is the first stage during which all systems are tested and preset – we then "press the buttons" and the plant's components start to move. First firing is the most exciting moment. It is always special.

What does a normal working day look like for you?

There are no normal working days as such. At the beginning of my career, I have been on site on the customers' premises throughout all of Europe for longer periods of time and performed various start-ups. Ever since I gave birth to my first daughter in 2015, I am no longer at plants for months but for weeks only and perform combustion system inspections, optimizations, trouble shootings and other exciting service deployments. As start-up engineers, we know the plants in a lot of detail.
My family also accompanied me for three weeks during a deployment in Malmö. Every now and then, I need to escape my office. I want to experience the plants locally.

How does MARTIN help you to find the right balance between your daily work routine, your family and your job?

My superiors are always considerate of me and my family. We always find a solution. And this is exactly what I would now like to pass on to my team so that everyone can find the best possible balance for everything. After all, happy staff members are staff members that perform well.

What characterizes MARTIN as an employer?

In many fields, the company has changed for the better in the past years. MARTIN is a good, solid and reliable employer. I rate the flexible working hours and the guidelines on working remotely as they put me in a position to be there for my family.

"For people that look for a challenge and who want to grow, MARTIN and KMT are definitely the right companies. If you are proactive, you are given the chance to advance."

What is your history with KMT?

I studied mechanical engineering in Hamburg and wanted to work in plant engineering. To begin with, in 2011, I worked for MARTIN as a temporarily employed project engineer in the project management department. I was immediately given my own area of responsibility and was then allowed to look after more and more lots and took charge of all phases from the invitation to tender to handling and the final documentation being directly responsible.
In 2014, I joined MARTIN's service/modernization department and was then permanently employed. At this department, I became a project manager and handled projects and, in this function, got to know many departments and specialist divisions.
When Küttner and MARTIN merged in 2018, a joint venture was founded: KMT GmbH. I was given the chance to participate in setting up a company specializing in the combustion of sewage sludge. I considered this to be a unique opportunity and I was fascinated by shaping things myself, defining processes and becoming part of this new company with ambitious goals. Our first project involved being in charge of everything from submitting our quotation to implementing and starting up our scope of supply and we succeeded in doing so – this shaped and motivated me personally.

How did this history influence your personal and professional development in practice?

When I started working for MARTIN, it was super interesting for me to be involved from planning up to when the project was completed. I learnt a lot particularly when the commissioning department supported the plant on site in Denmark and was given direct and comprehensive feedback for my future projects. What is more, I acquired additional skills such as technical knowledge, commercial experience or assuming responsibility for projects during status meetings or towards the customer when I changed departments internally and later from MARTIN to KMT. I therefore definitely had the chance to grow on a professional and personal level and to advance.
For people that look for a challenge and who want to grow, MARTIN and KMT are definitely the right companies. If you are proactive, you are given the chance to advance.

What is the collaboration like with other departments/the parent company MARTIN?

Because of my previous jobs, I have the benefit of having a large network and knowing many colleagues from previous activities. It is therefore easy for me to work with people from varying disciplines and to integrate everybody. Direct communication benefits the projects. The more the staff members from the various specialist departments are involved, the better it is for our work results.

What do you like personally as an employee of KMT GmbH?

What I like about KMT is that trust was put in me and I have been given a wide and varied range of activities and responsibility very quickly. And no project is like the other and holds new challenges. There are no dull moments. Also, we are a young and dynamic team that combines many disciplines. I feel very comfortable.

What motivates you at KMT?

I'm motivated by the prospect to achieve big goals. Every little task during the project phase that lasts for years contributes towards implementing a large project and a plant. This spurs me to go on.

"At KMT, we contribute to reducing sludge landfilling and environmental risks by combusting sewage sludge. In this way, we promote green energy."

What is your history with KMT?

I was born in India. I have been in Germany since 2017. I started working in Bonn and commuted. I discovered KMT via a job offer and after an initial online meeting I was invited for a personal job interview. I was very happy when I was employed shortly afterwards.

What was the initial job training like?

The welcome was very friendly and a colleague trained me. Since I already worked as a plant engineer for my previous employer, I only had to learn about the new equipment (spreading feeders, fans and so on). We are a varied team of experienced engineers and young professionals and from the get-go each and every member has always been prepared to answer any questions.

Why did you decide to study mechanical engineering?

I had the privilege to grow up in a family where my father managed a steelwork company and I always wanted to establish the biggest competitor to my father's business (laughs).

How would you describe your field of activities? What do you do at KMT?

My tasks range from enquiries to starting up equipment. Across disciplines, we work together with all departments which works very well because of the good, direct communication. I'm frequently on business trips and inspections. Preparing data sheets and specifications and clarifying technical details with manufacturers during the engineering and design stage are also among my duties. I check documents, drawings and QA papers for equipment and enjoy commenting on any errors in the suppliers' material (laughs).

How do you contribute with your work?

At KMT GmbH, we contribute to reducing sludge landfilling and environmental risks by combusting sewage sludge. In this way, we promote green energy. That's the future. We work for this goal. This spurs me to go on.
And my boss welcomes my experience and ideas at any time. He trusts my work a lot and I am given a good deal of responsibility. With my work I contribute to the high quality of our plants.

What do you like best about your work? What characterizes your work?

Teamwork is what makes KMT so special. My work is characterized by teamwork and the trust put in us.
Our boss always says: "Don't be afraid to make mistakes, it's the only way you will gain experience." We learn a lot and, in this way, we can grow and advance.

"I love my job: As a passionate engineer, I'm challenged time and again."

What is your history with MARTIN?

I've been here for quite a while. I have been with the company since the 1990s.
I already learnt about MARTIN's technology in a textbook during my mechanical engineering studies. I applied for the job when they advertised a vacancy in the design department. I have always been fascinated by the all the different components of a plant. I think it is very exciting to adapt the respective structural parts to the various conditions.
For several years, I have been responsible for designing and engineering the hydraulic systems for waste-to-energy plants within the design department. The hydraulic system is sort of the engine of our plants – nothing moves without it. I'm also engaged a lot with pneumatic and lubrication systems.

What do you like best about your work?

I'm fascinated by technology – down to the very last little detail. I am very happy that I can indulge in my passion for a living. In my job, you have to be flexible: my work is anything but monotonous. I relish the challenge that I always have to find individual solutions.

What is your contribution to the company's future?

In a team with my colleagues, my work contributes to selectively disposing of waste and reducing it in a meaningful manner.

How would you describe MARTIN as an employer?

For me, working for MARTIN means to have a safe job. In the many years that I've been with the company, I was never scared about my job. It also means variety for me. I feel challenged and supported.
In fact, I am happy every time when I return to the office on Mondays. To be honest, I can't imagine working for another company.

"No two projects are the same. Working for MARTIN means variety and reliability."

How did you join MARTIN?

In 1992, after I had finished my precision engineering studies, I applied for jobs in all of Germany.
MARTIN employed me as an engineer in the project management department. In this department, I supported the project team, mainly dealing with CAD, but also with other aspects of order handling. Bit by bit, my scope of duties extended. In 1994, I started studying mechanical engineering while continuing to work. It was challenging but my colleagues really provided fantastic support for me.
I was then involved in introducing SAP for order controlling purposes. MARTIN was one of the first medium-sized companies to introduce SAP. It was a very interesting time: important basics for future developments were established.
Now, I'm responsible in my department for handling spare and wearing parts deliveries for our new plants. In this context, I also support the projects and acquisition department in drawing up the calculation for quotations.

What do you like best about MARTIN?

After I gave birth to my first child in 2001, I took a one-year career break. It was clear to me, however, that I wanted to get back to my job again. Back then, that was not very common – especially for women working in a technical job. Coming back was not problematic at all: together with my boss, we organized a working hour scheme. I could therefore look after my family very well and at the same time was not out of touch with what's going on in my job. And after our second child was born, coming back was simply made possible for me.
What I particularly like about my job is that it is very varied. No two orders are the same. It's about pushing for the best possible solution in the interaction between MARTIN, the customers and the suppliers.

How would you describe the company's culture?

A lot of things have changed at MARTIN during the last couple of years. Since it is a medium-sized company, the lines of communication are short. We maintain a personal style. Ideas are always welcome

What characterizes MARTIN as an employer?

My job with MARTIN is safe. Even in economically difficult times, I always felt that I'm employed by a very reliable employer. The company is really authentic – and has been for four generations already. Many basic values, such as being down to earth, apply to this day.

"MARTIN does not restrict you. You can think in all kinds of directions."

What is your history with MARTIN?

I started working for MARTIN as a student trainee in 2008. I stayed with the company after I finished studying engineering management – and in the beginning worked in the contract management department. There, I worked as a project engineer and among other things looked after the procurement of systems and after the schedules to coordinate the entire project.
Since I really enjoy working for MARTIN but was looking for a new challenge, I took up the job of being responsible for the contract and insurance management department in 2016. I'm now responsible for negotiating international contracts for delivery and for work and services and am in charge of contractual risk and insurance management. In short: I make sure that the contracts contain the right elements.
To further improve my skills, I'm currently completing an MBA programme (international commercial & contract management) while continuing to work. And my boss fully supports me during this time.

What do you like best about MARTIN?

What I like first and foremost is that the company does not restrict you. You can think in all kinds of directions. Good ideas are promoted very quickly. My personal experience is that MARTIN is a very flexible company with short lines of communication.

What is your contribution to the company's future?

With my work I establish trust, reliability and safety for our business partners. This results in faithful, long-standing relationships. And this in turn also benefits our market position.

What characterizes MARTIN as an employer for you?

MARTIN is challenging, flexible, creative. Maybe you could say it like this: The company has a start-up mentality and structures that have evolved for years. At the same time, the company knows exactly which policy it wants to pursue in the future. I like that.