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Living abroad for a while, getting to know a new culture and gaining some valuable international work experience? You can do it all at NORMA Group as part of a Bubble Assignment. The goal of these assignments is to strengthen cooperation among the sites and to help us all learn from each other. Overcoming national and cultural boundaries is a natural side-effect.
Vojtech Kana is a product engineer at the NORMA Group site in Hustopeče, Czech. As part of a Bubble Assignment, he spent two months working in Águeda, Portugal, where he supported central integration processes. In this interview, he talks about his experiences at the site and his goals for the future.
Vojtech, can you tell us something about your work as a product engineer?
I mainly deal with exhaust clamps as well as clamps and connectors for industry applications.
“My job is to develop and optimize technical solutions so that our products meet both the requirements of our customers and the high quality standards of NORMA Group.”
I work closely with the production and quality teams as well as with sales and product management. I think it’s the diversity of tasks that makes my job really exciting. One day I’m analyzing designs and materials, the next I’m solving challenges in production or working on innovations for future products.
Can you give us an example of an exciting project you’ve worked on recently?
One particularly interesting project was the development of our NORMACONNECT® DCS RAPID pipe connector with an NBR sealing sleeve. This allows smooth-edged drainage pipes to be connected quickly and easily. NRB, nitrile butadiene rubber, is an elastomer with high abrasion and tensile strength and remains elastic over a wide temperature range. The seal is specially designed for aggressive media, such as oil-contaminated wastewater in bridges, sewage treatment plants, laboratories or commercial kitchens. The addition of this product enables us to significantly expand the range of applications for the DCS RAPID product series.
NORMACONNECT® DCS RAPID with an NBR sealing sleeve
Another major project is the VAVE project at the Águeda site in Portugal. VAVE stands for Value Analysis & Value Engineering – a technique for optimizing technology, processes, and costs. Our objective is to remain competitive while maintaining our strict quality standards. The project is very extensive and brings together teams from several countries. It is quite impressive to see how we are making progress together.
You spent two months in Portugal last year as part of your Bubble Assignment and have been there a number of times since then. What were your impressions of working and living there?
I’ve been to Portugal about five times in the last two years. It’s a beautiful country with the ocean, mountains, lively cities and quiet rural areas. The people there are open, friendly and very relaxed.
“During my work, I was impressed by the hands-on and flexible approach of my Portuguese co-workers.”
They take on a variety of tasks and support each other across departments. It is an approach that really strengthens cooperation and leads to quick, practical solutions.
What was your goal during the Bubble Assignment?
Some of the products I am responsible for are made in Águeda. My main goal was therefore to establish an integration process for these local products in our global systems. I was able to significantly advance this process during my stay.
And what did you do in your free time?
I lived in Aveiro, which is often referred to as the Portuguese Venice – and quite rightly so. I’m not really a city person, but Aveiro is really charming with its canals and colorful boats.
Since I like sports, I attended a course in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It was a great way to stay active and meet new people. On the weekends, I was invited by colleagues to various events, including a music festival in the countryside where one of them played the trumpet. That was an unforgettable experience and a great opportunity to get to know the local culture.
Another colleague even invited my family and myself to his home several times. I really value the friendship that has developed from these connections.
Vojtech with his children in Aveiro.
What are your goals for the future?
I want to continue to drive product implementation so that NORMA Portugal can fully benefit from NORMA Group’s standardized systems. It will strengthen our internal cooperation and make the location even more visible to our customers.
