Passing the torch
After 48 years at Jenike & Johanson (J&J), I stepped away from full-time employment in 2018. I am still working part-time doing expert witness work and training some of our younger engineers, while the rest of my days are filled with volunteer work in my community.
One of the highlights of my career has been getting to know and interact with a tremendous group of committed individuals around the world who want to do the right thing and are passionate about this field. It all started with my good fortune to be offered a summer internship at J&J between undergrad and grad school and to have Dr. Andrew Jenike as my mentor. Working closely with him for over a decade I learned a lot about the science of bulk solids and how to apply it, but just as importantly I learned how to treat employees, run a company, service clients, and to never stop learning.
It’s gratifying to me to see J&J still going strong in now our 54th year. We have a tremendous group of younger engineers who are expanding our ability to solve the world’s toughest bulk solids challenges, and they are being capably led my successor, Herman Purutyan. Our seven offices around the world are staffed with bright, experienced engineers, technicians and administrative staff who are thoroughly professional and dedicated to putting our clients first.
Outside of J&J I have been fortunate to know and work with many people both in academia as well as industry who have built this field to where it is today. Their contributions have been -- and they continue to be – substantial, as is their passion for this field.
Given the unsolved problems that need attention, the promise of new technologies such as DEM, and the enthusiasm and technical abilities of those who are following in the footsteps of giants in this field, I have great confidence that the future is indeed bright.
For someone just starting out in this field today, my advice is simple: strap on your seatbelt and enjoy the ride! The importance of bulk solids technology is as great as ever.
East China University of Science and Technolog - Associate Professor
4 年Impressive company, honorable elder. Enjoy your retirement!
Congratulations John! Enjoy your retirement!
Global Principal Processing, BHP | Chartered Engineer CPEng - FIEAust | Design experience in Iron Ore, Alumina, Nickel/Cobalt
4 年John, it has honestly been a pleasure working with your team here in Australia. Carrie, Corin, David Craig and Herman have clearly had great coaching. Thanks for taking the time you did (whilst in Australia) to visit one of our sites. Sincerely, all the best.
Dr.-Ing.
4 年For a long time John has been a highly appreciated inspirator to me - as Andrew Jenike had been for my mentor J?rg Schwedes. I totally agree that the field of solids handling is full of surprises and challenges and will keep the next generation of engineers busy. In addition to using new tools, it is utmost important to always correlate phenomena to the basics of powder mechanics and thus to create understanding. Therefore, besides solving problems, it is very important to keep teaching solids flow behavior. This becomes even more important and difficult with so many young engineers, new companies and divers cultures enter the arena of global solids handling, i.e. solids flow but also complete solids handling plants and supply chains. In this respect, John always has been a bright torchbearer for promoting the art of solids handling technology on many international venues and it has been a pleasure discussing topics of mutual interest. Thanks for inspiring me over almost 4 decades!
Chartered Engineer
4 年John, it was a real pleasure to have made your acquaintance in 2008-9. I wish you all the best in your semi-retirement and if you are ever in Ireland, make sure to look me up.