Get to know Peter and his experience

At the age of 17, when I started my apprenticeship, I naturally had no direct idea of where my path would lead me. In any case, the apprenticeship as a cutting machine operator at Maschinenfabrik ALFING Kessler GmbH laid the foundation, the three years of apprenticeship were a great time. From the very beginning of the apprenticeship year, there was a good atmosphere, which resulted in very good friendships and the training time flew by as a result.

Through the construction of prototypes as a workshop programmer, a degree in mechanical engineering/production technology and initial engineering experience as a production planner, the path ultimately led to the sale of large crankshafts. I like the tasks in sales very much, although it has to be mentioned here that sales here is not the classic sales as many people imagine it to be. It is a very technical sale, we are involved in all processes and coordinate the projects between the individual departments at MAFA and the customer. So, looking back, I didn't do much wrong and would take the same or a similar path again.

 

From 2013 to 2017, you were with the machine factory ALFING Kessler Shanghai Co., Ltd. Looking back, what can you say about your time there and would you take the step to China again?

During my studies, I had the opportunity to do a six-month internship abroad in Mexico at the automotive supplier BOCAR. After that, I firmly resolved to work abroad again for a longer period of time in the future. My target was of course: North, Central or South America. Finally, in March 2012, Mr. Grimm approached me and asked whether I could imagine being the first ALFING employee to move to the Shanghai office.

I very quickly liked the idea and, after a short period of reflection, accepted the challenge. Looking back, I don't regret the decision at all and would go to Shanghai again. Shanghai is now a kind of second home for me and my wife and we are already looking forward to our vacation when we can visit our friends in Shanghai again for a long time.

China in general is a very impressive country. We also used our free time to explore the “Middle Kingdom”. This wanderlust has also led us to Guilin twice, where the joint venture Alfing Fuda Large Crankshaft Co., Ltd. is now based.

 

Every year in September, young people start their apprenticeship at MAFA. What advice would you like to give them for their start?

I wish the new trainees just as great an apprenticeship as I had, good luck in their future decisions about their career and the courage to take on new challenges.