STEINEL Stories - We introduce ourselves.

Working in the mechanical engineering department at STEINEL Solutions offers me a very versatile and diversified area. My activities range from the development and construction of serial parts to the one-off production of operating resources. The requirements for these activities are very diverse and always present a new challenge. Due to the close cooperation with the various departments, I take different needs into account in my work, usually with one thing in common: timely results. Thanks to our versatile workshop, I am able to deliver these accordingly. One of my favourite projects was a product for which I received a prototype as a basis, which I was then able to further develop in collaboration with the customer. This allowed me to scrutinise the production, choice of materials and thus the component costs, and to suggest possible new solutions. I managed to reduce the component costs, improve the stability of the basic construction and replace the surface treatment of the parts with a durable powder coating.

I particularly appreciate the opportunity to develop firmware at STEINEL Solutions – but just as important for me is the direct exchange with our customers. In conversation, I learn first-hand what requirements a product has to meet. Open dialogue on an equal footing and the joint search for solutions make my work exciting and varied. Since I am responsible for both the hardware and firmware side, I am responsible for error analysis in both areas in the development process. For example, when I work on a sensor, I can test the hardware immediately after development and identify any malfunctions. Instead of recording results in a report and passing them on to a colleague, I make adjustments myself. The entire "Plan-Do-Check-Act" cycle is in my hands, which not only saves time but also improves the quality of the development. This combination of technical challenge, direct implementation and close collaboration with customers makes my working day particularly exciting.

As the point of contact for customer-specific sensor technology for lighting and sanitaryware manufacturers and building automation, my team and I are jointly responsible for the course of the project and support a wide range of customers, from innovative start-ups to global market leaders. Sensor technology is no longer just sensor technology, but an intelligent and networked system consisting of many components that must harmonise with each other without interference. IoT has been with us for years in a wide range of applications. I am convinced that there is an innovative use case for each of my customers, because almost every product can and will be transferred into the IoT world in the future. We have to think about what we will equip the next generation of sensors with today in order to keep pace with the times. The range of possibilities and technologies is constantly expanding and changing at shorter intervals. This means that my work remains extremely exciting and multi-faceted!

Thanks to BOM Connector, we are able to provide our customers and prospective buyers with offers for component assembly much more quickly and efficiently. At the same time, obsolescence and alternative management have taken on a whole new dimension. What used to be possible only through manual work is now done by the newly introduced software in a highly automated and professional manner. This gives us the opportunity to focus on the A-parts and develop market advantages for us and our customers' products. Digitalisation increases our performance and our added value for existing and new customers. At the same time, it underscores our top position in the industry.

I have been working as a design engineer at STEINEL Solutions for 12 years now. In the OEM environment in which we operate, I am involved in projects from the feasibility study through to series production and, among other things, I design housing parts for sensors or create operating equipment. My job in this diverse environment is very varied and challenging, as new developments such as robotics and other automation technologies are becoming more and more prevalent. Thanks to my many years of experience and the know-how I have acquired, I was given the opportunity to take on the role of Head of Design at the beginning of the year. I am delighted that, thanks to the SwissMEM vocational training course, I am now able to train apprentices, pass on my knowledge and develop the next generation.

The printed circuit board is the centrepiece of the world of electronic hardware. For it to be manufactured, a functioning PCB design is needed, which is laid out using the most modern tools. Housing space conditions, EMC interference, layer structure, routing, production suitability and other topics are the challenges that have to be overcome. The demands of our customised OEM products and projects challenge me time and again and make my job very varied. It is my job to conscientiously implement all rules and standards and to create a functioning PCB design so that the circuit board is suitable for production and thus leads the product to success.

In STEINEL, I have found a great employer that has enabled me to take the next step in my career after completing my further training. It felt right during the application process and it quickly became clear to me: this is where I want to work. In the technical office, I support projects from the start-up phase to product maintenance. It is exciting and varied to be there and to see how an idea and a parts list become a finished product; just like our customers. This process only works thanks to the good cooperation and commitment of all departments and participants.

We train young talents to become professionals in the fields of electronics and construction. In the last ten years alone, we have accompanied over 20 apprentices on their way into their professional lives. As an SME, I believe we are a model training company in our industry and in the canton of Schwyz, because in addition to their specialisation, they also gain exciting insights into production and product development and can participate in cool projects that are used throughout the company!

I feel very comfortable at STEINEL Solutions and appreciate the varied work that I am able to do as part of a team. As a team leader, it is my passion to take on challenges and work together to find solutions for the various tasks that we encounter in our daily lives. It is rewarding to know that we work together at STEINEL and continuously develop ourselves. Team spirit is particularly important to me. It's simply more fun to tackle new tasks together and develop creative ideas. Every challenge we overcome strengthens our sense of togetherness and motivates us to give our best.

STEINEL was my first port of call in Switzerland after moving here from Germany. Not only have I met a lot of great people here, I've also been able to develop personally and professionally. As a team leader in production, my responsibilities are wide-ranging and require constant attention and vigilance, both in dealing with people and with machines. I always make sure that our team and our facilities are in top form to achieve our goals and deliver first-class products to our customers. It's an exciting challenge that I approach with passion and commitment.

We are committed to achieving the highest quality every day and we try to achieve this in the best possible way. Quality is no coincidence, which is why we meet the quality standard DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and the international environmental management standard ISO 14001:2015. Whether it's customer service, quality assurance or quality management, we in the quality department are continuously optimising all areas. Our LEAN professionals are always developing new, creative approaches to reducing waste of all kinds – be it time, material or travel. This optimises internal processes in terms of process and product costs – so our customers benefit too.

In my role as a project manager at STEINEL Solutions, I have the privilege of managing numerous challenging projects. As a project manager, I act as a link between the customer and the internal project team. My tasks are very diverse and range from technical clarifications, to managing and documenting internal and external meetings, to actively participating in overcoming challenges, to conducting risk analyses, and to scheduling, coordinating and controlling all work packages. Since we work in the OEM sector and, as a one-stop shop, not only offer electronics development and manufacturing, but also the development, design and production of all plastic parts/operating materials, as well as the definition and execution of complex final assemblies, variety and a wide range of exciting products are always guaranteed. My primary goal is to carry out and successfully complete projects efficiently, cost-effectively and to the highest quality standards. The customer's satisfaction is always our main focus and forms the basis of our own success.

Production and electronics – two new areas that could not be found in my CV despite many years of experience as a buyer. STEINEL Solutions gave me the opportunity to thoroughly familiarise myself with all topics relevant to my day-to-day work. I always find it exciting to get to know new fields of work and industries, which is why I really enjoyed the induction phase. In addition to technical expertise, social skills are also an important factor – after all, a good team is more successful and the work is even more fun!

In my role as head of the internal sales department, I have to deal with a wide range of tasks every day. As the point of contact for internal and external partners, I cover our customers' needs in the areas of orders, confirmations and planning. My daily tasks also include internal scheduling with the dispatcher to ensure on-time delivery to the customer. I am also responsible for ensuring that the appropriate shipping documents are prepared for the goods to be shipped. Clarifying matters with freight companies is also part of my job. My work is very varied and I like the high degree of independence in my fast-paced daily routine. Customer satisfaction is my top priority and positive customer feedback motivates me to give my best every day.

With STEINEL Solutions as my employer, I very successfully completed my training as an electrician EFZ as the second-best in the canton. During the four years of my training, I was able to participate in many exciting and varied projects, helping to shape them or carrying them out myself. Immediately after completing my apprenticeship, I had the opportunity to change jobs within the company. From then on, I received continuous support in the production department, enabling me to acquire a great deal of new knowledge extremely quickly. This knowledge and my commitment have helped me to be promoted within the department. STEINEL is supporting me in my current further training to become a certified process technician HF. Today, as deputy head of the THT production department, I can say that I value STEINEL very much as an employer.

Thanks to the support of STEINEL Solutions and the "Prädikat UND" certificate, I have always been able to continue my professional career as a mother of two. I have been working at STEINEL for 18 years and have always had the opportunity for professional development. Thanks to an adapted working time arrangement, I was able to reduce my working hours to 50% and organise my shifts flexibly. This allowed me to be there for my children during the day while working evenings from 6 p.m. – exactly when my husband came home from his job. Initially, I worked in the assembly department, later moving to SMD production. There, I had the opportunity to learn new tasks such as verification and continuously develop my skills.

When I chose to train as an electrician, STEINEL Solutions enabled me to take my first steps in the world of work a few years ago. Several years and further training later, STEINEL Solutions is still my companion and valued employer. In my opinion, the recipe for this good partnership is: appreciation, respect, flexibility and constant further development on both sides. These are all qualities that we pass on to our customers, partners and potential customers every day, because it is precisely in times of COVID19 and material shortages that it becomes clear who lives by their values and responds to change, interacts, works well together and, as a result, develops and produces innovative, functional products.

At the young age of 18, I came to STEINEL Solutions for love, where my boyfriend also worked. I was hired to record the error rate in SMD production. At the same time, I helped out wherever help was needed. After my maternity leave – which lasted 17 years, after all – I was rehired by the company. It felt like coming home to me, because I still recognised many familiar faces. Today, I work three shifts on SMD placement machines. It is very impressive for me to observe the progress of products, machines and components – they are getting smaller and smaller and I am at the forefront.

I enjoy the family atmosphere, the uncomplicated way we work together and the short decision-making paths at STEINEL Solutions, which is why I enjoy coming to work. In the HR department, we support our employees from the moment they join the company until they leave, while also supporting and advising their superiors. The size of the company, with around 120 employees, means that the entire HR activity is very varied and exciting. We have the opportunity to redesign, restructure and continuously professionalise HR. Furthermore, I like the openness of STEINEL Solutions for innovative ideas, changes and innovations, explicitly also with regard to personnel recruitment and development. In addition, the work-life balance is very important and every effort is made to respond to the wishes of employees in the best possible way, which contributes to a pleasant working atmosphere.

When employees have to work from home from one day to the next, it presents both challenges and opportunities. Above all, however, it is IT that is needed! New software, modern collaboration tools and an increase in bandwidth so that we could continue to serve our customers as usual. At the same time, the security aspect could not be ignored. Now we realise that "online" enables efficient and flexible collaboration, which I see as a significant opportunity for the future.

Since I started work in 2006, STEINEL's machine pool in the production and mechanical engineering sector has grown enormously and is technically up to date. A lot of things have been automated and optimised so that the team can take care of know-how-intensive work steps. It makes me proud to be part of STEINEL and thus part of the company's development. My job is very exciting and challenging, but also very flexible thanks to my work as a programmer of pilot series. Since I pursue my passion for music alongside my work, STEINEL gives me the time I need; leaving two hours early or staying later in an emergency is perfectly normal for STEINEL and my team, and I am supported in my musical endeavours as needed. The fact that I also live and work in Einsiedeln makes STEINEL a top employer for me.

As a junior dispatcher, my main task is to supply the production department with orders on a daily basis. Given my background, I was sure to face challenges in my new role. I was dealing with a new job in a new industry with a new ERP system. However, since the induction was tailored to me and approached with care, I was not overwhelmed. My range of products has been slowly but continuously expanded and I am now responsible for various customers and own products. I respond to the current increase in material bottlenecks as early as possible and work with purchasing and sales to develop a strategy. Thanks to the targeted and familiar working atmosphere, such "problems" quickly turn into a joint solution.

My main responsibilities at STEINEL Solutions involve optimising the daily order and shift planning in our department to ensure that the ordered products of the best quality are delivered to our customers at the right time. Furthermore, I create and monitor individual production data for our highly automated SMD production systems. My responsibilities also include the maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of all systems in the SMD department. Complex, networked systems and the latest technologies in SMD production pose challenges that I enjoy overcoming every day. The location is another plus for STEINEL: living and working in Einsiedeln is a privilege for me.

We have our finger on the pulse, and that makes us successful. Our OEM engineering with expertise in lighting, sensor and communication technologies is a must-have for staying successful in the market with new business models and products! Our one-stop shop in combination with shared values makes us an attractive partner. For us, agility and collaboration with our customers are the be-all and end-all. My experience shows that when the interpersonal chemistry is right, there is a shared set of values and the range of services is convincing, successful solutions and functioning products are the result! We focus on individuals and interaction, transparent collaboration with customers and rapid response to changes! This applies to product development as well as to product manufacturing, from the electronics to the finished device.

In STEINEL Solutions, I have found an employer that suits me and allows me to work in a variety of roles in a diverse range of tasks as a thinker, communicator, coordinator and controller. This SME in the EMS industry has presented me with exciting challenges, whether it's building up marketing, implementing digitisation projects or optimising workflows and processes. Moving towards a successful future together with the STEINEL team – for me as a generalist, this is a dream come true, because I see myself as a creative and analytical source of ideas, I enjoy connecting people, encouraging and challenging them as an active designer, and I prefer to have the "big picture". Not least because the soft facts are also right for me, I really enjoy coming to work!

As a trained food technologist, STEINEL Solutions gave me the chance to prove myself as a team leader in a new industry. This transition into a new professional field was an exciting challenge for me. But it was precisely this that I enjoyed. I was warmly welcomed by a new team of helpful colleagues. This has allowed me to develop both professionally and personally. New tasks arise all the time, which make day-to-day business interesting from my perspective. We master these varied and interesting tasks as a team every day. All in all, I can say that things are never boring at STEINEL.

As a mother of two children, I really appreciate being able to take on many exciting and challenging tasks at STEINEL Solutions on a part-time, job-sharing basis. I started at STEINEL Solutions in 2013 on a full-time basis and only later reduced it. As a result, my role has constantly changed and evolved over the past few years, which I think is great! I feel part of the team and really enjoy coming to work.

I started at STEINEL Solutions at the beginning of 2023 as a career changer. In my role in the logistics department, I am responsible for outgoing goods and provide support in incoming goods when needed. I really like the mix of physical and office work. In close contact with the internal sales team, I make sure that the goods leave our premises at the right time and are delivered to the customer as planned. It is important to me that the goods reach the customer on time and securely packed. Because if the customers are satisfied, so am I. I am happy to have found an employer in STEINEL Solutions that gives me a chance as a career changer to reorient myself professionally. I feel very comfortable here.

STEINEL Solutions has now been my employer for 25 years. During this time, I have been able to contribute to many departments and do interesting work. Those who show interest are encouraged and supported in their own development. In my opinion, the company never stands still, but continues to develop in order to keep pace with the market and the latest technologies. But the company doesn't just keep an eye on the market; it also looks after the well-being of its employees. For example, I was able to work the evening shift when my children were small and later increase my hours to 80% and switch to the day shift. I see STEINEL Solutions as a very valuable employer for the entire Einsiedeln region and I am proud to be part of this family.

Working as a project manager at STEINEL Solutions is an exciting challenge. Because we work with many customers and suppliers around the world, we have many interesting contacts and come into contact with a wide variety of cultures. It is also instructive to get to know the various software tools used by customers to map their processes. Depending on the customer, these tools are either pure information platforms for us as a partner or tools that we use to directly map our deliverables. Since we are located in Europe, we are between Asia and the USA in terms of time, so we contact Asia in the morning and the USA in the afternoon. This allows us to focus on each one individually. We look forward to meeting our customers in person again after the coronavirus pandemic and to getting to know them further.

Digitalisation in the incoming goods department and modern industry means traceability of components back to the manufacturer – and that is exactly what we at STEINEL Solutions ensure with the MODI Trace system! Scanning manufacturer-specific labels and codes enables the shortest cycle times and leads to the highest reading accuracy. The risk of incorrect assembly due to visual inspections and manual entries in the incoming goods department is eliminated. All the information read is assigned to an individualised, unique label that can be further processed by the production facilities, enabling traceability to the installed components.

Whether it's regulatory guidelines or product requirements that are constantly changing, the progress of technology has meant that my work has changed over the years and the complexity of development work is constantly increasing. At the beginning of my career, I developed more hardware; today, the know-how is increasingly in the software or even in the interaction between hardware and software. These changes also increase the demands on the entire development team and on working methods. That's why we at STEINEL Solutions work in interdisciplinary teams that are spread across several group locations, depending on the project. Communication channels are shorter these days and development is becoming more and more agile.

As a committed employee in quality management and customer service, I enjoy working independently to find solutions. The customers' wishes and maintaining the high quality of our products are my top priorities. When it comes to complaints, the satisfaction of customers and proper communication with the departments concerned are particularly important to me, so that I can contribute to improving products and ensuring smooth processes. STEINEL offers me a comprehensive range of opportunities for professional and personal development. Ongoing training and innovative part-time models provide me, as an employee, with a highly qualified and flexible working environment. I am delighted to be able to contribute to and share in STEINEL's success through my work and commitment.

Constantly being confronted with new challenges makes my working day exciting and automatically expands my own expertise. As a hardware and software developer in the OEM business, this is precisely what I do by dealing with new technologies and topics. The proximity of development to production means that as a developer, I am automatically also part of the industrialisation of the product. I see this proximity as the best possible situation, since technical changes can be incorporated directly into product development.

STEINEL stands for sensor technology. And STEINEL Solutions also stands for sensor technology. As a sensor pioneer, we work with a wide range of sensor technologies every day. After all, the future will be increasingly shaped by sensor technology and networking. It is not only the sensor itself that determines good and reliable values, but also the harmony of signal detection, processing and handling. We concentrate the interaction between hardware and firmware in the hands of the developer, who understands the system as a whole and can therefore tailor the product exactly to the customer's needs.

We don't just buy parts at random. We buy the required item at the best possible time and, of course, at the best price! Since we work in customer teams, we identify strongly with the customers we are assigned to and their products. Our goal is to satisfy them with on-time delivery, quality and products at a good price. My work is very varied and international, because in addition to suppliers from China, we work closely with local suppliers and distributors from Switzerland. The specific sourcing services I provide for the STEINEL Group round off my working day.

At our Einsiedeln site, we have many years of experience with new product introduction. Our expertise in the areas of prototype construction in electronics, mechanics and plastics, test and equipment design, as well as IP protection and EMC preliminary testing, enables us to seamlessly transfer our customers' products into series production and to make this as efficient, flexible and of high quality as possible. Also, because we offer all of this in Einsiedeln, we can respond flexibly and quickly to product changes and fluctuations in demand. Our NPI team is famous for flexibility and time to market. For me, this means coordinating with all the important internal interfaces and overcoming new hurdles every day!

In our role as internal sales representatives, we do much more than just the same administrative tasks day in and day out. We respond to the needs of our external and internal customers and contacts on a daily basis. Our hub function covers communication with our customers in the areas of enquiries, orders, confirmations and planning. We are also responsible for ensuring that the relevant shipping documents are ready for goods to be shipped and that they arrive on time. We interact with people from different cultures and speak different languages, which makes our work very diverse and exciting.

I came to STEINEL Solutions out of "necessity" and through a tip from one of my best friends. Fortunately, I would like to say. Because the pleasant and open attitude during the job interview already gave me a very good feeling that I would work with great people here. This has also proven to be true. If you want to find good solutions for customers, our own products and for each individual person who contributes here, then that's a must for me. I am very happy to be able to work here in this good environment and with a great team. This is not a matter of course and I appreciate it very much. I never get bored in my work with the wide range of test equipment, test adapters and products. Since I can never know everything, I also rely on the help and knowledge of internal and external colleagues. I have grown very fond of the entire team. So far, we have been able to solve every problem together and help each other to achieve great and small things. We help each other here and only in this way can everyone move forward. Being a TEAM is a great thing, because: Together Each Achieves More

In my role as a digital transformation specialist, I have the opportunity not only to optimise business processes, but also to digitise them in a targeted manner. Together with STEINEL, I define "big pictures" and implement them in clearly structured sub-projects. Each of these digitisation and optimisation projects not only drives the continuous improvement of the company, but also promotes my personal development. I particularly appreciate the interdisciplinary cooperation in project teams, which makes it possible to look at processes from new perspectives and better understand their significance for the company. This holistic approach is not only enriching, but also creates the basis for sustainable success – for STEINEL as well as for me.