Smart Fluid Systems

Sandra Ernst

Dear Sandra, how long have you been working at COHLINE?

"It will be 39 years in August 2022."

What are the main activities of your current job in purchasing?

"In purchasing, processing orders is my main activity. In addition to that, I take care of commercial training as an instructor."

What connects you to the company?

"I have always enjoyed my work in purchasing as well as my function as a commercial trainer. In addition to the work, however, it is also my colleagues with whom I have a very good relationship. Another aspect is the flexibility I experienced after returning from parental leave. COHLINE made it easy for me to return to work. I was able to cut my hours and thus, as a mother, had the opportunity to reconcile family and job."

Frank Born

Dear Frank, due to the pandemic, you have moved to the home office for the most part. How did you perceive this change?

"I worked in a home office for the first time in January 2021 and I consider it as a very good solution, especially during the pandemic. Of course, home office is not possible for every type of job. However, home office is a charming solution for me, since I also work in front of my computer most of the time in the company. Nevertheless, days at the company are important for me, as clarifications on site are absolutely necessary."

Why would you choose Cohline as an employer again?

"I have really enjoyed working in production planning over all these years. COHLINE offers exciting tasks and challenges, which is of course also due to the customers and the industry. Technical change and progress are constantly in demand, which means my work at COHLINE never gets boring."

 

Angelique Gräfe

Dear Angelique, you work in the ‘Research and Development Laboratory’ department.

What made you decide to go into the Research & Development Laboratory or pursue a technical apprenticeship?

“I am a pragmatic person and have a great affinity for science and technology. I find it particularly exciting not only to plan testing processes in theory, but also to actively support or implement them. This interplay of thought and action makes the job particularly attractive to me.”

What are your tasks?

“My tasks include carrying out and analysing tests during series production and initial sample testing, as well as coordinating tests within projects. I am the contact person and interface between customers and Cohline or the laboratories we commission. I also plan the scope of testing and the resulting costs in response to enquiries.”

What do you particularly like about your work?

“I particularly appreciate the diversity of my tasks - every day brings new challenges and variety. I particularly like the collegial atmosphere in the team. We support each other, which makes for a pleasant working atmosphere. We also maintain a good team spirit outside of work - getting together in our free time contributes to a strong team spirit. We also have a good sense of humour, which makes working together even more fun.”

What advice would you give applicants?

“Don't be put off by the wide range of topics – quite the opposite: bring an open mind and curiosity. It's worth taking on new tasks and thinking outside the box. There is good support when you start, so that you are introduced to the topics step by step. This creates security and a good feeling for your daily work.”

Pascal Borchardt

Dear Pascal, how long have you been on board at COHLINE?

"I have been on board as sales manager since 01 April 2021."

What do you enjoy most about your job at COHLINE and what do you think is special about the company?

"What I truly like are the general conditions of my job. We are currently in extremely volatile times and changes are inevitably necessary. At COHLINE, I have loads of room to drive changes forward together with the management and the other specialist departments. Of course, changes are also accompanied by resistance, that is quite normal. Nevertheless, the organization is increasingly developing into a culture that is grateful for novel ideas. Our employees have the motivation to make a difference. In my two sales departments, for example, this is reflected in a high level of incentive to want to win new orders. We motivate each other, try to pull together, especially when we've come up empty."

Maik Hofheinz

Dear Maik, what excatly has kept you at the same company and in the same department for 24 years?

"I felt at home at COHLINE from day one, and I still do today. I always got along well with my colleagues and I enjoyed my job all these years."

What is your daily work routine like in the production department and what makes it work for you?

"My working day starts at P21 at 06:00 a.m.. First, I find out whether new order cards have been received so that I am able to process them as quickly as possible. Otherwise, my workday consists of various assembly tasks. I stamp and assemble sleeves, install pressing tools, set the correct pressing dimension and then press the parts. In terms of practice, my job is very similar every day, but the different lines make the work varied and fun."

 

Dr. Markus Türk – Innovation manager

What is innovation management? What does it mean for you?

“True to the motto ‘standing still is a step backwards’, innovation management is geared towards future-proofing the company. In this respect, it is about generating new ideas, evaluating them, developing them and implementing them in the company. This not only applies to new products, it can also be aimed at realigning or opening up new business areas.

In order to pick up on new trends and make new contacts, I regularly attend trade fairs and networking conferences.”

Innovation manager - an exciting & challenging job. How do you become one? In other words, what prior knowledge do you bring to the table?

“As we work in a technological environment, a technical background is important. I studied mechanical engineering at the TU Darmstadt. I then did my doctorate in the field of forming technology. I also gained over 10 years of experience in various positions at another automotive supplier.”

Where do you see the interfaces between innovation management, research and development?

“Due to the fact that I am a ‘one-man department’, I am dependent on collaboration with Research and Development, Design & Product Development. Our core team, consisting of the aforementioned departments, meets regularly to evaluate new ideas and initiate new innovation projects. In addition, the sales department is involved to ensure that customer requirements are not ignored.”

Where do you see opportunities for Cohline in the future?

“Decades of experience in the automotive sector and the manufacturing processes used can also be transferred to new technologies and other business areas in the future. These include hydrogen-based drive systems, where we benefit from our experience in the field of fuel lines.

In addition, battery-electric vehicles will also require cables, for which we already have an innovation project underway.

Our structured processes and the high demands of the automotive industry can open doors for sectors outside the automotive industry.”

What do you enjoy most about your job?

“I like the fact that my job is very varied and that I work a lot with interdisciplinary teams. Because I'm travelling so much, I'm constantly getting to know new people and trends, which I find particularly exciting.”