Thanks to the extensive experience he has gained over the years, Richard is highly skilled in assembly and commissioning at project sites. At the office, he takes every opportunity to further deepen his knowledge. He learns a great deal about PLC and SCADA software, particularly through collaboration with his immediate colleagues.
“I began my career immediately after school as an electrician on inland waterway vessels. There, I was introduced to the emerging world of PLC controls, a discovery that immediately sparked my curiosity. In 2001, I made the move to a company that develops industrial bakery machinery. In my international role as a project engineer, I was responsible for the complete construction, connection and commissioning of dough processing installations for 15 years. Until 2017, when I joined Alewijnse’s industry team as a commissioner.”
“For regular customers, we manage the electrical diagrams, PLC programmes, and SCADA systems. For these customers, I prepare the commissioning myself. I collect the necessary electrical diagrams and adapt them to the customer’s requirements. Once the diagrams meet the customer’s requirements, I update the PLC programme and the corresponding SCADA pages. At the same time, I order the right materials from the updated drawing package, calculate the necessary cables and lengths, and ensure that our engineer on site knows exactly what is expected. This allows him to continue with his work without delay.
The biggest challenges lie in the wide variety of components you encounter in different industries. Each component often has the same basic function, but its unique operation always deserves a lot of attention. Fortunately, we have access to the internet and can look up a lot of information, which is a huge help these days.
With a corporate culture that is collaborative and open, we learn from each other every day.”