Working student Adnan Büyüksahin streamlines complex production processes at thyssenkrupp Bilstein

Adnan Büyüksahin has had a keen interest in technology from a young age. He would spend hours researching how everyday objects worked. Adnan’s thirst for knowledge is so insatiable that he’s now outgrown his desire to understand how simple mechanisms work. As a working student in thyssenkrupp’s Operational Excellence department at its site in Bilstein, the mechanical engineering student (specialising in production engineering) at the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences is streamlining complex production processes at the shock absorber specialists. We interviewed the 24-year-old, and he told us about how his job fascinates him and how much thyssenkrupp’s slogan “engineering. tomorrow. together.” resonates with him personally.

Adnan, you have been supporting the Operational Excellence department at thyssenkrupp Bilstein as a working student since April 2023. How did you hear about thyssenkrupp?

I was positively surprised when I started my placement as a working student at thyssenkrupp. I came across an ad on LinkedIn by chance, and the requirements of the ad perfectly matched my knowledge and the experience I had gained from my studies and my practical work. I was extremely excited by the possibility of being able to contribute my knowledge to a leading company in the automotive sector like thyssenkrupp.

Why did you choose thyssenkrupp back then?

I decided to join thyssenkrupp not just because of the chance to put my expertise as a mechanical engineering student into practice, but also because I wanted to work in a challenging and dynamic environment. Perfection is at the heart of everything we do at thyssenkrupp Bilstein - a leading company in chassis technology. From high-performance vehicles to everyday cars, we strive for the highest quality and precision in every detail of our damper systems. Every component is manufactured with the utmost care to meet our customers’ demands. This passion and commitment to continuous improvement is what motivates me to give it my all every day.

thyssenkrupp’s clear values and vision also appealed to me, especially the slogan “engineering. tomorrow. together.” The corporate culture at thyssenkrupp still impresses me today. I really appreciate how open thyssenkrupp is to new ideas, how it promotes diversity and inclusion, and how it is committed to the pursuit of excellence in all areas. I also find the opportunities for professional development and the variety of projects I can participate in very exciting.

You just mentioned that you were positively surprised from the outset. What was it exactly that surprised you – and what weren’t you expecting beforehand?

My very first day at work was full of positive surprises. I received a warm welcome and my new colleagues greeted me with open arms. This friendly welcome demonstrated to me right from the off that I was part of a team that thrives on cooperation and mutual support. This atmosphere made my start at thyssenkrupp a very pleasant and motivating experience.

What tasks do you do as a working student? Do you have the opportunity to work on your own projects?

I’m already taking on a high level of responsibility. I’m actively involved in a variety of projects and tasks that allow me to develop my knowledge and skills and make a real contribution to the company. I have the chance to work independently on a variety of projects and topics, too. Some of my tasks include conducting training courses and workshops to introduce lean production principles and carrying out value stream analyses to identify streamlining potential in production for employees. I also provide support with the implementation of digital tools for streamlining processes and data processing.

Can you tell us about a special project or challenge you were involved in during your time as a working student?

I was involved in one particular project aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of production processes in a specific area. I was responsible for introducing and implementing different lean production methods and techniques to streamline production processes and reduce waste. A specific challenge came in the form of training colleagues about the new methods and getting them involved in the change process. So, I conducted training sessions and workshops to raise awareness of the importance of lean production and motivate employees to play an active role in its implementation.

I was also responsible for carrying out analyses on the production processes and identifying potential for streamlining. I worked with my team to develop and implement specific corrective actions based on these results. It was an exciting challenge where I gained valuable experience, and which helped me in my personal and professional development.

What’s so special about working at thyssenkrupp? How would you describe the work culture and team?

For me, working at thyssenkrupp combines challenging tasks, an inspiring working environment and a committed team. The work culture at thyssenkrupp is one of mutual respect, a strong sense of community, open communication, and where there is a clear focus on innovation and excellence.

You mentioned at the start that the thyssenkrupp slogan “engineering. tomorrow. together.” resonated with you. What does the slogan mean to you now that you’ve been at thyssenkrupp for over a year?

For me, the word “together” in our slogan is a symbol for the power of collaboration and shared commitment to creating a better future. It symbolises the idea that by sharing knowledge, ideas and resources, we can overcome greater challenges together than if we were to act alone.

I even have my own “together” story! It was a special project I was involved in that involved solving a complex challenge in production. Initially, the project seemed really overwhelming and the problem too difficult to solve. That said, when we worked together with the team and other departments, we were able to share different perspectives and draw on our expertise to develop creative solutions. We worked together extremely well, exchanged ideas and worked together on the implementation. Thanks to our joint commitment and determination, we were able to overcome all obstacles and successfully complete the project.

This experience has shown me how important it is to work together and support each other to achieve big goals. Collaboration has the power to help us overcome challenges and bring about positive change in the world.