Standard times
Maarten did not start as a Production Engineer, but as a Standard Times Specialist, where he was responsible for recording the standard times for the new cabin. "Every action the operators perform takes time and the standard times are recorded in our database", explains Maarten. "All standard times are defined using a labour study technique in which an action is dissected into different building blocks. Each of these building blocks has a defined period of time, depending on the nature and conditions under which they are executed."

The experience that Maarten gained in this role was useful in his job as Production Engineer: "As a Production Engineer, I use these standard times to draw up the refinements of the production line," Maarten continues. "These times are very important, because we need to know how many operators we need to achieve a certain output."

Variation and the feeling that comes with practice
Applying new refinements is only one of the many various aspects of the job. Maarten continues: "The day flies by thanks to the various things you get to do. Together with the Central Improvement Team, we look at further improvements to the line, so that each part of the line is arranged as efficiently as possible. If something goes wrong on the line, it must of course be resolved. Because the job is so diverse, you get a lot of freedom. At the same time, you are also expected to draw up your own plan and make your own decisions."

Maarten is pleased that he has been given the opportunity to start in this role. "At some point I indicated that I was ready for something else. That has always been listened to. Together with our colleagues, we build a fantastic product. It is great to see the results of your work in everyday life, and every time I spot one of our trucks on the highway it gives me a feeling of satisfaction."