My name is Mark Otto. Originally, I trained as a photographer, and after two years in the profession, I faced a decision: go self-employed or try something completely new. I chose the latter and completed an apprenticeship as a toolmaker. Later, I pursued my master craftsman qualification in precision mechanics alongside my job.
I came across HEINZMANN through a job advertisement in the newspaper. Within a week, I had my interview, and then it all began—that was 17 years ago. The department I work in today, precision manufacturing, was still in the planning phase back then, and I helped build it from the ground up. Today, it’s my baby, and our team takes great care of it.
In our work, we regularly “split the micron”—that is, measuring in thousandths of a millimetre. What has always fascinated me about HEINZMANN is that we needed precision manufacturing that external suppliers couldn’t provide in the required quality or didn’t dare to attempt. No one else could deliver exactly what we needed, so we did it ourselves!
We primarily manufacture products for Common Rail and Megasol, with EPPN also playing a role. Our work revolves around fuel supply, whether gaseous or liquid. We produce injection nozzles, injector housings, control valves, throttle valves, and magnets—everything that is installed in an injector for precise control. The key factor here is precision—the smallest dimensional, form, and positional tolerances must be met.
My time at HEINZMANN has changed me. At first, I was quite shy, but today I know my strengths. As chairman of the works council, I’ve learned to speak in front of large groups and to support people individually. My main role is to provide my team with the equipment and training they need.
Of course, things aren’t always smooth sailing. Once, due to an operator error, one of our machines was out of action for an entire week. There was a strange noise, and then everything just stopped. We depended on those parts, and I was under a lot of stress. But I’ve learned that you handle these situations much better when you stay calm.
A special memory for me was the 90th birthday of our senior boss. We surprised him by forming a guard of honour—he was absolutely thrilled, and I still smile when I think about it.
My motto is “Nothing is impossible”—the more people tell me something won’t work, the more motivated I am to find a solution. My time at HEINZMANN has shown me how important it is to pass on knowledge and support employees in their development. That’s what makes HEINZMANN such a special employer for me.