May we introduce: Our Project Manager Engineering

... Nolwenn Troadec is a project manager at H2O GmbH. She makes sure that our customers get the wastewater solution they need. And as a Frenchwoman, she is also a mediator between French customers and German colleagues. Whichever challenges  exist, she tells us in the interview.

Nolwenn, I'm currently writing an article about our client Rabas Protec - they spoke very highly of you and the professional handling. Was that a particularly easy project?

Every project has its peculiarities, which is why the project handling at H2O is so interesting. At Rabas Protec, an existing machine was to be replaced and the time for the changeover was very tight. Therefore, good and professional planning was necessary. But thanks to the great cooperation with engineering, sales, service and the customer, we quickly found a suitable solution.

Thanks to our Modular System, we have 3.5 million variants that can be combined to create an individual wastewater solution. How do you choose the right one for our customers? 

In most cases, a wastewater sample is taken at the customer's site beforehand so that our application centre can carry out a comprehensive analysis. This is important because it gives us the necessary information for the right system design: which cleaner, defoamer we should use, but also which options are recommended. Was there foam? Then a city water refill should be provided. Does the distillate become slightly acidic? Then the Destcontrol technology will eliminate the problem.

For new production lines where there is no wastewater yet, we use our experience in similar fields to find the right solution.

In your projects, you mainly serve French customers, which is your mother tongue. What are the most striking cultural differences between French and Germans? 

As project managers of foreign projects in a German company, we stand between the cultures. We build the bridge to get the best of both sides. Where Germans work in a very structured way, French people are more flexible. This can be a challenge, but also an opportunity. A stable relationship of trust is always a basic prerequisite for good cooperation between Germans and French.

What challenges does this pose in your daily work?

As a project manager, communication is very important, as we have to deal with different departments and contact persons. In addition, our clients place a lot of importance on H2O taking their problems seriously and listening to them. When we are sure that we have understood the customer's expectations correctly, they are implemented internally. We look for the best solution together with all the departments concerned.
Since communication is so important, it is an advantage to know several languages. I was so proud when a French customer once told me that I could speak French well for a German woman.