Toni Bayer is training for his dream job at Gerresheimer
Düsseldorf/Tettau, April 16, 2018. The seven master glassmakers from Kleintettau who founded a glass manufactory in Alex-anderhütte in 1785 would probably be extremely proud if they knew that it would grow into what is now Gerresheimer Tettau GmbH – a cutting-edge, highly specialized glassworks for illustrious cosmetic products employing some 500 people. Bottles for many well-known perfumes as well as jars for creams and bottles for nail varnish are all manufactured here. The glassmakers of today are well-versed industry experts who are devoted to their work. And they often in-fect members of their own family with their passion. Toni Baier is a prime example: Even at the tender age of four, he would stand starry-eyed alongside his grandfather, who operated machinery on the production line.
“Anywhere but the glassworks!”
Before he was even four years old, Toni would stand starry-eyed alongside his grandfather Wolfgang, who operated machinery on the production line. And the little boy knew he wanted to do exactly the same when he grew up. Toni is now 16 and in his first year training to become a process engineer for glass technology. “That’s what I wanted to do and now I’m here,” he says proudly.
By learning the ropes as a process engineer for glass technology, Toni is following in the footsteps of his great-grandfathers and his grandfathers Alois Löffler and Albin Raab. Back in the day, they made glass on the glassworks’ semiautomatic machine as well as working with the first fully automatic piece of equipment – the IS machine – as machine operators and batch makers.
Only his father tried to talk him out of his dream career: “Anywhere but the glassworks!” He first trained as an industrial glassmaker (now known as a process engineer) before moving to the Coburg rescue coordination center.
You could say that glass technology is in Toni Baier’s genes. Toni Baier’s family ties to Gerresheimer stretch far and wide: his great-grandmother Christel Löffler worked as a sorter at the cold end. She has now retired, as have his great-grandfathers and his grandfathers Wolfgang and Klaus. Fredi is Head of Quality Assurance, while his wife Manuela works in Quality Control. Klaus used to be in charge of frosting, a process for finishing glass. Grandmother Karola is a shift manager at the cold end. His uncle Daniel Raab is Chairman of the Company Works Council and an industrial foreman. His aunt Linda Raab is one of the few women in Germany to have pursued a career in mechatronics. His great-uncle Heiko Löffler works as a tool tester.
When Toni has completed his training, he would like to spend a few years working in the Conversion and Setup department to gain experience. “Conversion” here means making the necessary adjustments to the production line for handling a new product and involves up to ten employees. Health and safety is the top priority here – flame-retardant workwear, gloves, protective goggles, safety shoes, and ear protectors are all standard issue at Gerresheimer. “Setup” means adjusting all the parameters to ensure stable glass production. The range covers everything from miniature 15-gram bottles to huge beer tankards weighing in at 1,360 grams. The ideal combination of settings has to be found for each new item.
Toni loves the unique variety of products made at Gerresheimer Tettau and is looking forward to his future duties. One day, he would like to be able to point to his machine operator’s badge and say with great pride: “I helped those off the production line in our glassworks.”
More information is available online: Training at Gerresheimer
About Gerresheimer
Gerresheimer is a leading global partner to the pharma and healthcare industry. With specialty glass and plastic products, the Company contributes to health and well-being. Gerresheimer operates worldwide and its approximately 10,000 employees manufacture products in local markets, close to its customers. With plants in Europe, North America, South America and Asia, Gerresheimer generates revenues of around EUR 1.4 bn. The comprehensive product portfolio includes pharmaceutical packaging and products for the safe, simple administration of medicines: Insulin pens, inhalers, prefillable syringes, injection vials, ampoules, bottles, and containers for liquid and solid medicines with closure and safety systems as well as packaging for the cosmetics industry.
