From sports studies to high-tech CNC operator: Daan’s story at Contour

“Actually, I got here through a friend of a friend,” Daan begins. “My girlfriend’s aunt worked here and suggested I come in for a talk. I had completed a sports and exercise program, but did not see my future in it right away. Honestly, I did not know what to expect when I first walked in for a tour. From the outside you can’t see how big and modern it is in here. The first impression was quite overwhelming, but I immediately thought: this is a great company, I can see a future here!”

Variety and responsibility as a CNC operator

After about a year, Daan moved to the CNC punch laser machine. Besides laser cutting, this machine can also punch, tap threads and press all kinds of shapes into the material. “That combination of punching and laser cutting appealed to me right away,” he says. “The work of a CNC operator is incredibly broad. You are not only busy with the machine itself, but with everything around it: planning, processing orders, supplying material and, at the time, also unloading the cut products. What I like so much is that you see all the products pass through your hands. No two days are the same, you are always working on different parts for our high-tech customers.”

Contour’s punch laser machines and laser cutting machines are loaded fully automatically from an automated warehouse. Not only the cutting technique is automated, but also the logistics of supplying and removing material. “You are responsible for quite a large machine park, which is something I appreciate. They let you work independently fairly quickly here. That trust feels good.”

A clean workplace and a close team

The image of a dusty, dark metal factory? According to Daan, that does not match the reality at Contour at all. “It is actually a very clean environment here. Of course you sometimes get dirty hands from the oil, but that is about it. The hall is practically always spotless.”

Daan is also enthusiastic about his direct colleagues: “At the moment we are three combination operators and two laser operators. It is a close team; we know what to expect from each other. We work in two shifts and hand over the work to each other neatly, so the machines keep running at their best. The team could be a bit bigger, because we sometimes run short of hands!” New colleagues are certainly welcome at Contour for this vacancy.

Daan, CNC punch laser operator

Always learning and growing

Sitting still is not an option for Daan. “I am very eager to learn. When I see what is possible, or when there are things I don’t know yet, I enjoy figuring them out, often with the help of colleagues. That way you keep growing and learning.”

That eagerness to learn comes in handy. Contour is implementing a new laser machine and Daan is involved in the project group. “It is great that I get to be part of it. From the shop floor you have a different perspective on how a machine works and what problems you run into. I can share those insights right away.”

Daan also has the ambition to learn programming. “I have said so and people listen. I think it would be great to not only operate the machine but also write the programs for it. Then you understand the whole process from A to Z and can really make the machine run at its best. My goal is to be partly or fully involved in programming in a few years.”

From newcomer to go-to person

Looking back on his start: “A few years ago I did not expect to grow so fast and to be training new colleagues myself soon. But that is how it goes here. If you show commitment and are eager to learn, you get opportunities here.”