Hidria was the only copmpany that gave a woman a chance

Interview with Maja Frelih, tool shop manager at Hidria Lamtec in Jesenice

Maja Frelih remembers very well why she chose Hidria 18 years ago. Before that, she had already worked in the automotive industry, with materials that were quite hazardous to health. She tried to find a new job with various employers, but most of them were not in favour of employing a woman with a degree in mechanical engineering. She never had the feeling at Hidria, she says, that as a woman she should prove herself more, even though the tool shop is not an environment in which a woman would be expected. She says she works with a perfect team that has been by her side since the beginning. According to her, running a tool shop is a perfect fit for her.

Maja, did you know that women invented extremely useful solutions in cars, such as wipers or turn signals?

No, I didn't know. Probably also because the women’s inventions are much less talked about than those men invented. In the past, it probably wasn't even that important that women came up with these solutions.

How did your business path lead you to the industry?

I am a mechanical technician by education. I've always been more interested in technical things, much more than the things we usually associate with women. In the technical field, I am also much better.

When I joined Hidria's team, I initially worked in control, where female colleagues are not unusual. I continued working in technology. Later, an opportunity opened up to manage a tool shop. I said to myself: "Why not?" I had no experience in this field at that time. But I think that anyone can learn anything if they have the will to do so. I have been in this position for five years now and I really like the job.

Did you know from a young age that you would choose the profession you are doing today?

Yes. Of course, I didn't know that I would work in a tool shop, but I always knew that I would choose a technical field. Already in my childhood, I did a lot of technical things with my parents and brother. Our whole family is much more oriented towards the world of technology. Everyone worked in this field, parents, grandparents. It was probably expected that I would choose this path myself.

Before joining Hidria, you were looking for employment in other companies. But you got the feeling that the employers weren't the most favourable for hiring women, right?

True! Years ago, when I was looking for a job, a woman with a mechanical engineering degree was not the first choice for many jobs. At that time, Hidria was the only one which gave me a chance. In comparison to other companies, Hidria was already much more open to the employment of women in those days. It's the same today. In Hidria, many women are employed in jobs that are not the most typically 'female'.

You chose Hidria also because it offered you a healthier working environment. Previously, you worked with substances that were not the most health-friendly.

Yes, they were harmful. I knew that I would not be able to spend my entire working life in my former job. I looked for another job because there were a lot of dangerous substances in my previous work environment.

You mentioned that you feel very comfortable in the position of tool shop manager. What gives you the greatest satisfaction?

I like the work I do. I also like coming to work because there is a good team in the tool shop. We work very well together.

How is your work going? According to your schedule, it seems quite dynamic?

Indeed! At the moment, I'm having a hard time coordinating all the meetings and the coordination of the tool shop. An additional challenge is the introduction of many innovations that will digitize the processes in the tool shop. I myself am the key user in all these processes. So far everything is going well, but time management is not always the easiest.

Hidria in Jesenice is undergoing major changes. From the industrial sector, it is increasingly moving towards the automotive segment, into the production of more and more precise products. How are you experiencing these changes?

The changes we are facing today are quite demanding. The automotive industry is known for the fact that the range of products we produce changes very quickly. In addition, we have a fairly small tool shop in Jesenice, compared to other Hidria locations. Tools today are twice as big and heavy as they used to be, so their maintenance is becoming more and more demanding. Currently, it is quite a challenge to keep up with production.

If you look at these changes with the eyes of an outside observer, you are probably happy with the progress?

Of course, if I were to look only from the outside, I would say that it is perfect that Hidria is developing so quickly. When we look from the inside, we naturally also see challenges and think about what we could change to make our work easier and even more efficient.

If we return to the opening topic of our conversation: Do you think that women look at things differently? Do you think that in the 21st century it still makes sense to talk about typically female and typically male occupations?

Women see things differently. We have a completely different approach to things, different proposals, we look at things from different angles, we solve problems in a different way. But that's not a bad thing. Because we look at things differently than men, we can come up with a wider range of different solutions together than if, for example, only men or only women were looking for these solutions. I think we women and men complement each other well.

As a team leader in a world that mainly revolves around technical challenges, how do you find time to build relationships with colleagues, strengthen mutual trust, and motivate?

I think it all happens quite spontaneously. We are together on good days and in difficult times. There is a balance between us. We are very honest with each other.

I always suggest to colleagues that they tell me if they have any problem. Every problem, in my opinion, can be solved, regardless of whether it is related to work or private life.

How do you find balance? What counterbalances your day-to-day work in the industry?

Today, it is no longer difficult for me to find this balance. In the past it was much harder. If you carry work responsibilities home, this does not have a good effect on your private life. Now I know how to disconnect. Even if I get a call in the afternoon or on the weekends about work, I can bounce back with my thoughts very quickly. But this required some training. Switching between work and private life is quite difficult, but now I have learned it. It helps if a person has a peaceful life at home.

Author: Helena Pregelj / Photos: Robert Zabukovec