Career at ZKL

I joined ZKL in the last year of my studies in Engineering Mechanics at Brno University of Technology. At that time, I started working as a part-time worker in computer programs and performed simpler stress analyses of bearings. After graduating, I started working as a project engineer in 2020. In addition to calculations, I also deal with project management and design activities. I am now involved in the development of tapered roller bearings for wind energy. The diversity of work and the opportunity to find out which areas I enjoy the most and which I would like to focus on in the future - this is working in ZKL.

Twenty years in ZKL have shown me that work definitely does not have to be just a conventional stereotype, but I can constantly grow professionally. Heat treatment metallurgist: this was the position I took on twenty years ago in ZKL. After a few years, the main metallurgist of the plant took me to the ZKL section focused on research and development.  Since then, I have been working on contracts from other Group companies and for external customers. This allows me to constantly deepen my knowledge and keep in touch with world events in the field. In 2015, thanks to the experience I gained, I passed the exams and became an authorized expert for general engineering, specializing in rolling bearings and accessories.

Diversity of work and a good work team are the main benefits of working in ZKL. I joined ZKL as a part-time worker in 2016. At that time, I studied Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Brno University of Technology.  After successfully graduating, I decided to continue as a junior designer under the guidance of experienced designers. I developed from a starting position and were entrusted with increasingly complex and important tasks. These include, for example, the construction of bearings for the railway industry, wind energy and other special bearings. I deal marginally with the construction of tools for sheet metal forming. Since 2020, in addition to purely design work, I have been involved in the creation and approval of new development projects.

The bearing industry is characterized by maximum precision in production. And that is why, after many years in the technical development of the engineering company, I moved to ZKL. Since 2001, as a part of the company, I have undergone a major modernization of the bearing design, from the design board to the most modern development software with the support of numerical simulations. Now I work with the entire design team on specialized projects in the railway segment and in wind energy. The pillar of the team are employees with many years of experience and the middle, already experienced, generation.
 

In ZKL, I work in the sales division where I am in charge of customers from Western Europe. I speak several foreign languages with my customers which helps me keep my language skills active. For example, I negotiate with the largest wind turbine producers in the world. The development of renewable energy production is a growing global trend and I am glad to be part of it. In addition, the nature of my work requires frequent trips to customers, participation in international conferences and trade fairs. I am an active person, so the alternation of working in the office with working in the field satisfies me. 

In ZKL, I can focus on my work focus and at the same time make full use of my mother tongue - Russian. When the offer came from ZKL, it was a clear choice for me. I am in charge of customers from Russia, Ukraine and the post-Soviet countries. When working as a Back Office Manager, I use my knowledge of the Russian market and mentality. In addition, with a colleague who comes from Ukraine, we form a well-functioning team.

In ZKL, I do what I like. After joining ZKL, I went through various work stations and today I am working on the newest and most modern machines in Hall No. 5, the so-called central grinding room for large bearings. The production of large bearings is about piece production, so my job is diverse: from the machine's own programming to its operation and maintenance. I especially enjoy producing the largest bearings that we supply to thermal and wind power plants.

In ZKL, I am satisfied because my team is doing a good job. I have engineering in my blood. It is our family tradition. I have been working in the field of quality management and product quality all my life. After my apprenticeship, I gained some work experience in Zbrojovka Brno, where I went through the whole process and gained valuable experience. I continue to develop them in ZKL where I have been working for 17 years. I am proud that we do our job in the team so well that our company receives only a minimum of complaints.

Production work is not an everyday stereotype. I worked in ZKL for 6 years as a technologist and then I started working as a foreman. I have the opportunity to develop and try new things, operations or machines. I enjoy that technology is constantly developing and innovating. There is still something to learn, and that moves me forward.

My work drive is especially encouraged by a good team and the possibility to agree with the management on shift planning. Combining work and personal life is simply not a problem here. In the last 30 years that I have been working in ZKL and the production technology has changed significantly but the grinding process has remained the same. And grinding is not always only about grinding - in ZKL we also use, for example, cross-grinding technology, which only some production companies have. I operate both older conventional machines and the latest technology. 

I have been working in ZKL for 16 years and I still feel very good here. One of the reasons I enjoy working so much is my great colleagues. At the same time, I appreciate that the management listens to its employees. I'm glad to say: my work is my hobby.