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In our NORMAPeople series, employees around the world talk about their day-to-day work, how they came to the company and what they appreciate most about their jobs.
How do you go about combining a passion for both football and technology? Bruno Jacksteit, Product Engineer at the site in Maintal, Germany, has figured it out – he is volunteering at this year’s European Football Championships. In this interview, he talks about his exciting tasks at the company, his most memorable experiences and his role at Euro 2024.
Bruno, what do you do at NORMA Group?
As a Product Engineer, I am responsible for the NORMA Quick S (NQS) connectors and NORMAPLAST components. While our NQS connectors are primarily used in the automotive industry, our NORMAPLAST components are increasingly being used in the Industry Applications business.
One of my main tasks is to define, document and continuously update the standards within the various product groups. These standards include a range of different documents including design guidelines, sales KPIs and training presentations. Training my colleagues is another important part of my job.
We also commission and supervise product-specific evaluation and validation tests. They are carried out in our laboratories, including at our headquarters in Maintal.
“These tests are essential when it comes to ensuring the quality and reliability of our products.”
What does your workday look like?
My day always starts with reviewing and processing e-mails. These are often specific, global technical product inquiries or support requests from colleagues or customers. Once I have completed this task, I focus on resolving outstanding technical queries.
During the course of the day, I work on current development projects and draw up proposals for cost savings in the respective product groups. These activities require close collaboration with a number of different teams and the continuous review and optimization of our processes and products.
You have been with NORMA Group for over 23 years now. What was your most memorable experience during this time?
When I started at NORMA Group, I joined a mountain bike group made up of colleagues from the company. It was really tough at first but after some intensive training, I managed to complete a total of five Alpine crossings, including two finishes in the legendary MTB Transalp Bike Challenge in 2003 and 2004. In terms of sport, this were undoubtedly the most challenging time of my life. But it was through sport that I got to know a lot of people in the company and was able to integrate quickly.
Sport is a really big part of my life in any case – I’m particularly fond of football. That’s why I’m really excited to be involved as a volunteer at Euro 2024. I am part of a team there that is working together to make the European Championships in Germany an international highlight.
“Because I am also in regular contact with colleagues from all over the world in my day-to-day work, I am really looking forward to meeting fans from all over Europe at the event.”
What made working as a volunteer so interesting for you?
I played football in a club as a child and it is a passion that has stayed with me since then. I am a member of the Eintracht Frankfurt club and I regularly attend home matches with my daughter.
So when I heard on the radio about nine months ago that roughly 1,600 volunteers were needed for the stadium in Frankfurt, the Deutsche Bank Park, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be a part of it. The opportunity to contribute to a major international event like the European Championships was very appealing. I am also very familiar with the stadium and I live close to it. The opportunity to bring together my enthusiasm for soccer with such an important event meant that the decision was an easy one.
How did the application process work?
Once I had registered on the UEFA platform and introduced myself in a video in German and English, there were a number of e-learning courses that I had to complete. At the end of last year, I received a confirmation, which I was very excited about – after all, around 16,000 volunteers had applied at the Frankfurt site.
In April of this year, a kick-off meeting was held in the Süwag Arena in Frankfurt. In addition to a colorful supporting program, we had the opportunity to get to know the other volunteers and the areas that we were assigned to. The meeting was the perfect way for us to kick off our shared commitment.
What are your responsibilities going to be?
I will be working in ticketing. My job will be to scan the electronic tickets from the roughly 47,000 visitors outside the stadium with a card reader which activates the tickets. Security is the number one priority.
There was a preliminary training session at the beginning of June – what was that about?
The objective of the training was to clearly define our tasks and areas of responsibility. We also learned about the different types of tickets and were trained to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit tickets.
We also got to see the interior of the stadium as we toured the facility. That was a real highlight!
Der Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt
It was particularly exciting to learn about the organizational aspects of a huge event like the Euro 2024. This included internal safety-relevant information, simulations for spectator flows and measures that are taken to minimize waiting times.
It was also nice to get to know the volunteers in my team. The group is very international and consists of people from different age groups and cultural backgrounds. I am looking forward to working with them and experiencing some unforgettable moments together.
What games will you be working at?
I’ll be at all five matches that are taking place at the Frankfurt stadium – four group games and the round of 16. Of course I am really excited about the first round match for the German team and the match between Denmark and England. That game will no doubt have an atmosphere that is hard to beat, and I’m looking forward to the excitement and emotion that these matches are going to generate.
Bruno, the first game is now over and Slovakia won 1:0 against Belgium. What exactly did you do at the game?
After we were assigned to our ten-person team at the Volunteer Center, which will be the same composition for all matches in Frankfurt, our leader informed us about our work area at the control desk.
When the stadium gates opened at 3 p.m., our task was to activate the electronic tickets. The contactless activation of the ticket is successful when a green screen appears with the number of tickets. The visitor can then pass through our area. Many visitors were surprised at how advanced and fast this type of access authorization was.
Was it everything you imagined it would be?
My task yesterday exceeded my expectations. In addition to the physical challenges I had prepared myself for, I was surprised by the relaxed and positive atmosphere in my team and our leader. We worked really well together as a team and there was a lot of positive feedback from the fans and leaders.
“I was also impressed by the cheerful, enthusiastic and peaceful atmosphere of the fans, as well as the creativity of some of the outfits.”
It’s remarkable how much effort the fans put in to support their team and represent their country.
Would you apply again if the opportunity came up?
It was clear to me from the very beginning that actively participating in this event would offer me a unique opportunity and experience that I would like to keep as a positive memory.
