Employee Spotlight: Greg Courdille, Commissioning Manager at AddUp SAS

Meet Greg Courdille, Commissioning Manager at AddUp, SAS. Greg has been with AddUp for 2 years now and started as a field engineer but has since moved into the Commissioning role in Saint-Céré.

What's your background?

I have a university degree in mechanical and production engineering, followed by a mechanical engineering and design engineering degree. During this time, I went to Canada to complete a master's project on the design of a decision support tool to assist companies in investing in additive manufacturing based on their needs. Subsequently, I was hired at Fives as a process engineer working on LASER welding machines, and I have now been with Addup for 2 years. Initially, I worked as a field engineer, and now I oversee machine commissioning in Saint-Céré.

What is your job title? Can you summarize what you do at AddUp?

I am commissioning manager.

My role is to coordinate all activities related to the startup of additive manufacturing machines (Formup350, Modulo, and sometimes prototype machines) to ensure the successful completion of equipment within the constraints of deadlines, quality, and costs. To do this, I propose and implement procedures within the department and organize meetings to enhance machine monitoring. I ensure that all the necessary materials and equipment for machine startup are in line with the technical advancements of the equipment. Lastly, I ensure that the manufactured machines meet customer requirements up to their final acceptance.

What inspired you to get into the additive industry?

I have always been passionate about new technologies, but the real turning point was my encounter with my instructor during my DUT (Technical University Diploma) program. He proposed that we, outside of the regular curriculum, manufacture and program our own plastic 3D printer. So, every evening after my internship, I went to the university to machine my parts and program my little Arduino board to build the machine. At the time, this technology was not yet widely accessible to the general public, and I assisted my friends in creating their parts when, for instance, the fridge handle broke or the phone holder needed repair.

Since then, I have always tried to incorporate this technology to the fullest extent into my studies, whether for creating functional prototypes or when I decided to pursue my master's project related to this technology.

What do you enjoy most about AddUp?

What I appreciate most about Addup is clearly the technology we develop. I really feel like I'm participating in the development of tomorrow's industry by enabling many companies to be able to produce their parts with the societal challenges we currently experience (reduction of costs and environmental impact, as well as improvement of performance.) Indeed, this technology allows us to create tailor-made parts with exceptional precision to respond precisely to the specific needs of our customers, aligned with their increasingly demanding specifications.

If you could give a piece of advice to someone looking to get into this industry, what would it be?

For me, it is essential to be passionate about additive manufacturing technology. Indeed, the market is challenging for most companies that need to explore it a bit before embarking on the adventure. Therefore, one must be prepared to face various challenges and put in a significant amount of effort to assist companies in adopting this new technology.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I believe I'm someone who appreciates stability in my daily life. I enjoy having my little routines and well-established habits, as they provide me with a sense of comfort and security. This is why I particularly appreciate the life I've found in the Lot department in the countryside with my partner, far away from the stress of big cities.

However, from time to time, I feel an irresistible urge to break out of my comfort zone. It's in these moments that the call of adventure becomes irresistible.

When this adventurous impulse takes hold of me, I don't hesitate to travel to the other side of the world to engage in professional projects. It's an experience that allows me to step out of my routine, discover new places, meet different people, and push my limits. These adventurous moments provide me with the opportunity to recharge, learn new things, and return with unforgettable memories.

In summary, I am like a ship securely anchored in a peaceful harbor, where the calm and regular waves symbolize my passion for stability and daily routines. However, from time to time, I hoist the anchor to sail towards other horizons.

When you aren’t at AddUp, what do you like to do?

At present, my other challenge is to have my house built, which is another long-term project that can be quite stressful at times. This is why I don't hesitate, whenever possible, to recharge and seek support from my family and friends. Additionally, another activity I enjoy is playing pétanque, which I participate in as a club member. It provides me with excellent moments of camaraderie around this sport.

What are your career goals?

My career goal is to be able to develop robust and increasingly complex startup protocols for the LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) and DED (Directed Energy Deposition) machines that we produce. This is to ensure that our products are best positioned to meet the future needs of the industry.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your position? What are your biggest successes?

The greatest challenges involve adapting our processes to the evolution of our product, as well as, as I mentioned, to the needs of our clients. They, in fact, demand increasingly rigorous qualification protocols, and we must be able to demonstrate, for each machine, that our process is well-controlled and that it perfectly aligns with these requirements.

What is AddUp’s company culture like?

AddUp's company culture is based on values of creativity, innovation, technical excellence, and responsibility towards its customers. The company promotes a collaborative work environment, with a focus on solving complex problems and optimizing additive manufacturing processes. AddUp places a high emphasis on the quality of its products and customer satisfaction, striving to meet the specific needs of each client.