From apprentice to expert

Patrick Grünbeck and Geberit are a dream team. Even 16 years after starting his apprenticeship as a plastics technician, he has remained faithful to the production plant in Pottenbrunn (AT). There are good reasons for this.

“This can’t be it,” thinks Patrick Grünbeck after completing his studies. His first degree is in Materials Technology from HU Vienna (AT). This thought continues to accompany him – and takes him from one degree programme to the next.

Over ten years later, the plastics technician can be found on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Geberit plant in Pottenbrunn (AT). He launches new processes and technologies in production in order to minimise errors and quality defects.

A stroke of luck with recycling

He is recently part of a pilot project on recycled packaging films. “There is still only limited experience of this internationally. We carry out tests in Pottenbrunn with the aim of introducing bags made of partially recycled material in all Geberit plants.”

I like the way Geberit treats people.

The project is a perfect match for his ongoing doctorate – which will likely be the end of his studies. “Actually, I didn’t intend to connect my doctorate with Geberit.” However, his dissertation deals with the recycling of polyethylene and polypropylene – plastics that are also used for films.

He still works for Geberit 16 years after starting his apprenticeship there. “The company has opened many doors for me. I like the way it treats people. I also like the dynamics in the team, where the experience of older heads and the ideas of younger people come together to create good solutions.”