KLINGER Blog

Who are you and how did you come to work at KLINGER ?

"I will briefly tell something about myself. I am married, have one son of twenty and live in Dordrecht. I have now been working as a Steam Audit Engineer at KLINGER for just over thirteen years. A former colleague, from an employer where I worked as a production manager for thirty years, approached me on behalf of KLINGER for the position of workshop service engineer. During the first interview I immediately felt at ease and it clicked right away. As a result, I spent the first two years working both in the workshop and with the customer as a (Service) Engineer.

After tinkering for about two years, a great challenge became available to me as a Service & Steam Audit Engineer. I was quite curious what this job entailed with industry combined with steam and condensate inspections. So with many years of experience with customers and their installations, I took up this challenge with both hands."

The duties of a Service & Steam Engineer.

"As a Steam Audit Engineer, you will perform steam and condensate inspections on the steam plant at customer sites throughout the country. This could be the largest steel or chemical industry in the Netherlands, or it could be a candy factory with a very small plant.

A steam and condensate inspection consists of recording dewatering points and investigating proper model of the steam plant. After performing the inspection, you prepare a report with the findings and any additional advice. This report is discussed afterwards at the customer's site."

A typical workday of a Service & Steam Engineer at KLINGER

"By and large, a typical work day does exist, yet every day can be different. Sometimes you go to a customer with a small steam plant in the morning and the inspection only takes half a day, while other times you are working for weeks at a large customer with a complex plant.

Sometimes you are outside in wind and weather, in temperatures from -5 to 30 degrees, and sometimes you work inside a factory. At the start of a new or repeat inspection at the customer's site, we always start with a consultation with the customer. This covers installation technical issues or other areas of improvement that require advice. After this, work permits are submitted and signed and we can enter the installation to check the steam traps and appendages to see if they are functioning optimally. After the inspection there is always a short consultation with the customer to indicate any points of improvement.

For example, another working day consists of preparing reports with possible areas for improvement. These are then prepared with an explanation, consisting of advice or energy savings and at a later time you discuss them with the customer."

The work culture of KLINGER

"The work culture at KLINGER is still very Rotterdam, we know how to get down to business. As I said, my work does not take place at KLINGER but on location, and contact with colleagues via telephone or e-mail is always pleasant. And when you come back to the office at KLINGER , you are welcomed with open arms! Then there is always room for just a chat or to spar about a technical question over a cup of coffee. The atmosphere with and between colleagues is very good and can be described as familiar. Even if you cannot solve a difficult problem with a customer, there is always a colleague willing to help you. This is how we then come to a good solution together."

What typifies the company and the employer?

"I really like KLINGER as a company to work for. The director is always very committed to all employees. There is always attention for you as a person but also for your work environment and your family at home. KLINGER regularly organizes a company party or BBQ at the company premises or somewhere else at a nice location for all employees. If you have any questions or wishes, KLINGER certainly thinks with you.

After 13 years working at KLINGER , I still go to the customer every day whistling for the opportunity to perform another steam and condensate inspection."