Every MAN marine engine is a one-off, manufactured to individual specifications. Handing the finished product over to the customer is always an exciting moment, because we in the testing department feel personally responsible for its quality. Simply meeting the customer’s expectations isn’t enough for us. We want to exceed them. And we give everything we’ve got to achieve the perfect outcome – even if that means clambering into the heart of an oily engine. The test bed is where we put the new engine through its paces to make sure it delivers the performance we expect. When the customer is delighted, we know we’ve done a good job – and that’s our reward.

People tell us time and time again that there’s no real alternative to a MAN engine. Only when we impose stringent quality standards on ourselves do we achieve outstanding results. We want people with the desire to reach their full potential.

More than 30 years ago I started at MAN as a young engineer in the field of developing innovative traffic systems. I had previously worked in research at a university and was burning to put my ideas into practice. With competence and persistence I was able to convince older and more experienced colleagues that my ideas were good. My stubbornness paid off: today I manage the central Research and Development department with a team of eighty. Just as we did then, we face the challenge of tackling issues that are relevant to the future, so that in ten years from now we will still be ahead of our competitors. The development of the hybrid bus, for example, started here in my department over 15 years ago. Now the bus is ready for the market.
If you have the will to do it, you can realise your ideas.

Everything we develop has a concrete practical goal.

My job as an engineer at MAN is out of the ordinary: we are developing the world's biggest diesel engines with an output of up to 87 megawatts. With dimensions like these, extensive development tests are simply not possible. The challenge lies in assuring the quality beforehand with exact calculations and simulations, prior to installation of the product. This is what our customers expect. We also have responsibilities towards nature and our fellow men, and to meet these we are continually improving our technologies.

I'm currently researching ways to optimise our engines so that the energy is used more efficiently. What it is that fascinates me about MAN? Seeing the results of my work in real operation. I recently experienced first hand the enthusiasm of our customers when a new type of engine I helped to develop was commissioned in South Korea. That was a great feeling! If you are enthusiastic about our technology, you can go a long way at MAN. Our products are like no other.

Forty-three years ago I started training as a machinist with MAN. Back then it was a tough job: we would file away for hours at the same workpiece, often without any tangible result. But I wanted to show what I could do, so I gave my very best. I improved very quickly and became a specialist; I gradually trained my eye to become almost as reliable as a spirit level. Later I was given the chance to pass on my skills by training others. My trainees were so good that we won a silver medal at the Skill Olympics.

The interest from the media was incredible – I even shook hands with Prince Andrew. Today I am responsible for training in quality management, teaching young people the lesson I learned many years ago: that you can only achieve your very best with a positive attitude and stamina.
If you are 100 percent committed to your training, you’ll build a solid foundation for your future career.