23. août 2023

Highly motivated by a diversified work environment

An interview with our colleague Dara, Head of Application Engineering & Mechanical Engineering at TGW China.

Name / Job / TGW location:
Dara Zang / Head of Application Engineering&Mechanical Engineering / TGW CN

My last online order:
...was placed on "Singles' Day" in China.

At TGW since:
Nearly a decade now

My most important piece of job equipment:
My laptop.

My job personality in a few words:
Open-minded, friendly, responsible.

Tea or coffee?
Definitely tea

Stairs or lift?
Lift

When it comes to teamwork, it is not only about the team's success as a whole but also about the personal development of its individual members. Our Chinese colleague embodies this philosophy. Together with her motivated team, she develops creative solutions so that companies such as Skechers are set up for flexible, efficient and future-fit operation. Her motto for work-related and non-work-related contexts is "No matter how hard a situation may seem, never lose hope".

DARA, HOW DID YOU JOIN THE TGW GROUP?

I started work at TGW immediately after I finished my university studies almost ten years ago. I started my journey at TGW in the presales team and was fascinated by the high level of interaction between the different departments. I finished my Masters' degree while working at TGW. To be able to apply the knowledge I acquired on a regular basis feels amazing. At the start of my journey as an Applications Engineer, I also took part in an internal training project in Austria, which allowed me to immerse myself in the technical environment. I was off to a good start.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB

In general, we design powerful distribution centres. Our designs are used as the basis for efficient handling of customer orders, both online and in stores. We are trying to automate many processes and connect the different processes in a smart way. For me, this means responsibility and development in a great team. We are very creative and do our best to serve our customers in a cost-efficient way.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES, AND ULTIMATELY FOR TGW?

We communicate a lot and on equal terms in order to represent all the relevant details in the fastest and most easily understandable manner as possible. Our customers on site expect as much and it also boosts TGW's visibility and the appreciation for our skills. This is why we have been a trusted partner for planning and realising logistics centres as well as for supporting existing systems in operation.

WHAT DOES YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LOOK LIKE IN RELATION TO TGW?

I find TGW to be an impressive company since I know from personal experience how many opportunities we get, both on a technical and personal level, provided that we have the motivation to seize them. When I started as a freshman at TGW China, the unit was quite new and small. I grew together with TGW and was able to gain a lot of useful experiences and apply them in numerous situations. For me personally, learning by reading books is another crucial measure. Time and time again I have seen employees close to me seize career opportunities and personal development opportunities in various areas of expertise. So, fortunately, it seems I am not an isolated case.

WHAT DO YOU APPRECIATE MOST ABOUT YOUR INTERNATIONAL COLLEAGUES?

I appreciate the way we work together. In my opinion this relates to our culture and values at TGW. I really appreciate how well we work together in a global environment and also the way we work in general. The many personalities at TGW's locations enrich our thoughts and actions and thus our success story through their cultural backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. I love that.

OUTSIDE YOUR WORK LIFE, HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR PERSONAL INTERESTS?

I am eager to try new things, which is something that links my professional and my personal life. This also means that I like to gain a new perspective on things and for that reason I also like to travel. What is completely normal in one area may seem totally strange in another. However, both locations develop. This is fascinating to me and I am curious to find the reasons behind it.

As early as during my training in Europe, I used my free time to travel and get a change of scenery. That gives me the courage to face different challenges and embrace the changes in my personal as well as professional life without fear.