Elisa Franzmann-Don
We move people – Elisa Franzmann-Don in interview
Together with her team, Elisa ensures that production runs smoothly.
For me, working at Umicore means working with a unique team and with valuable colleagues. It also gives me the opportunity to actively tackle issues and make change for the better, to work on new and exciting projects and to develop in a dynamic and international working environment.
| You work in the production department of Precious Metals Chemistry and are responsible for the Homogeneous Catalysts division. Can you give us some insight into the tasks you deal with every day in the team there? |
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"In our production, we manufacture catalysts that are used in chemical reactions by our customers. In order to manufacture these products to a high standard of safety and quality, my team takes on a variety of tasks that can only be mentioned here as examples: It is very important to maintain and keep the production facilities in the best possible condition. We make sure that the processes do not get bogged down and that the production processes are kept running without disruptions and unnecessary delays. We continuously monitor our equipment and production processes in real time to detect or even prevent unexpected malfunctions in advance. Likewise, daily analyses are carried out to identify problems at an early stage so that we take timely proactive measures. Working in chemical production requires close cooperation both within the team and with other departments." |
| New products, increased customer demands and high expectations in terms of sustainability have been a driver of your activities in recent years and will continue to be so in the future. How has the production environment changed over the years? |
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"Over the years, the production environment has changed a lot, especially with regard to new requirements such as complexity of processes and production, sustainability, environmental compatibility and precious metal recycling. Therefore, we are constantly optimising our internal processes with regard to EHS and quality management. In order to remain competitive, we must increasingly focus on technical innovations (state-of-the-art), as well as recycle more valuable materials and save precious energy. In addition, we must increasingly bring digitalisation into production and use more modern technologies to optimise our processes. An important and final point that is particularly close to MY heart are the topics of employee leadership and appreciation, employee protection and plant safety. We need to respect, support, motivate and value each other as a team in order to work successfully together." |
| In our portrait series we want to look back at the last 20 years as well as think about the future. What moment at Umicore do you remember most fondly and what are you looking forward to in the future? |
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"There are many moments in my 10 years at Umicore that I remember very fondly. When recruiting new employees, I often think back to the words of our then production manager at my own recruitment interview in 2013: 'Ms Franzmann, we will surely meet again.' and then I received the acceptance and my exciting journey at Umicore began. I also have many fond memories of travelling to our other Umicore locations. The interactions with local teams were always open and cordial and some have developed into long-lasting friendships. Of course, there have been challenges and difficult moments in my professional life, but this has certainly been a necessary and important part of my development process that has helped me personally and strengthened us as a team. I am grateful for the experiences I have had at Umicore so far, for the opportunities I have been given and I look forward to many more exciting and successful years!" |
