A program with perspective
Interview with two ODP graduates
Alessandro Simeoni and Antonio Rinaldi are the first two graduates of the Operation Development Programme at Geberit. In four years, they learned more about production processes, teamwork and cultural differences at various plants.
What motivated you to sign up for the ODP programme?
Alessandro Simeoni: I was immediately interested because it perfectly complements my mechanical engineering master’s degree.
Antonio Rinaldi: It was the same for me. I was intrigued by the idea of getting to know different works and cultures.
Where did you work?
Alessandro Simeoni: I worked as a GPS engineer in Villadose (Italy) and in Pfullendorf and Haldensleben in Germany. I worked on projects to improve productivity and automate and optimise injection moulding and blow moulding processes.
Antonio Rinaldi: I worked as a GPS engineer* for two years in Ekenäs, Finland, and in Carregado, Portugal. My focus was on process optimisation in ceramic production.
*GPS stands for Geberit Production Systems. A GPS engineer manages projects that continuously improve the production process.
What have you learned?
Alessandro Simeoni: A lot from different locations, for example flexibility. I learned about project management and the Geberit production system, and I know how to get a team to work together towards a common goal. I also learned a new language and the culture behind it.
Antonio Rinaldi: Soft skills above all: I can communicate better, deal with conflicts and am more resilient overall. I learned to lead different teams and work with them.
What had the biggest impact on you?
Alessandro Simeoni: Every location has its own special features and history. What connects them are shared values. I have learned to develop a long-term perspective.
Antonio Rinaldi: The work and the cultural differences. In Finland, I experienced flat hierarchies and a strong commitment to achieving good results. In Portugal, I was inspired by an imaginative team with the goal of continuous growth and remaining competitive.
Who would you recommend the ODP to?
Alessandro Simeoni: To highly motivated engineers who want to further develop their technical competences and especially who are not afraid of questioning things and learn from others.
Antonio Rinaldi: I recommend it to young professionals who want to pursue a complex and challenging career path.
Alessandro Simeoni has been Head of Technology at the Lichtenstein (Germany) plant since July 2024.
Antonio Rinaldi now works as a GPS manager at the ceramics factory in Gaeta (IT).
Operation Development Programme
The Operation Development Programme (ODP for short) at Geberit lasts a total of four years. It offers talented young professionals with an engineering or technical background an opportunity to gain a foothold in the professional world, take on management tasks and advance their careers.