NOVEMBER 202219MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTSCXO INSIGHTSBy Bruno Sonego, Director of Automation and Controls, GEA GroupEMBRACING A NEW ERA OF AUTOMATION IN MANUFACTURINGCOULD YOU PLEASE WALK ME THROUGH YOUR JOURNEY AND YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY?I developed a passion for manufacturing back when pursuing my degree in Automation Engineering in Brazil. Thereon, I started working in a national food machinery manufacturing company that create massive freezer equipment processing up to 40 tons of meat per day. Having gained experience in this sector, I later joined hands with GEA Group as a process engineer and went on a growth trajectory to ultimately helm the role of Director of Automation and Controls. Currently, I am solely responsible for managing and developing a team of electrical designers and controls engineers and coordinating project execution in the design phase within a multi-disciplinary environment. I am taking over the engineering sector with food processing technologies across New Zealand, India, Brazil, Netherlands, and Canada. Our engineers are responsible for the project execution, including installation, commissioning and service in 98 countries.We are globally one of the biggest manufacturers of machines specifically focused on processing food liquids and powders. We are growing in the frozen food processing division. With an already huge install base. Our primary food processing streams include baking, cooking, frying, and packing with different machinery, where we are always leveraging years of experience and comprehensive know-how in processing versatile foods with efficient refrigeration and heating systems for sustainable food production.WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHED LIGHT ON THE WORK CULTURE AT GEA GROUP?Our culture is focused on developing and engineering various customized products for our clients. We are highly recognized for our extra mile effort in meeting customer demands above all. Everyone in our organization, from the CEO and all the way down to the shop floor workers, plays a big hand in efficiently managing the service portfolio. We adapt ourselves to work flexibly with small and large enterprises, eliminating the bureaucracy that exists in society. Sometimes I find it challenging to prepare new and experienced employees for thriving in the evolving business environment, as people are very much against change. One of the Reasons that made me join this company is the view of what engineers are meant to do and not only spin the wheel. The slogan of our company is:We are:Here for the better.In for the better.Built for the better.We are engineering for a better world.HOW HAS THE MANUFACTURING LANDSCAPE EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS, AND WHAT ARE THE LATEST MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES YOU LEVERAGE?Although the manufacturing industry is riding on the back of the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0, it is Bruno Sonego
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