In the quiet town of Gumpoldskirchen, Austria, a young French student is making waves in the world of industrial engineering. In the summer of 2024, Benjamin Perez, a student from Toulouse, completed a 13-week internship at KLINGER Dichtungstechnik, the leading company in the field of gasket technology. But this isn’t just any internship – Benjamin is part of a unique exchange program between KLINGER Dichtungstechnik and Groupe Efire, a long-standing sales partner in France. This program not only strengthens the partnership between the two companies but also provides a wealth of practical experience for students like Benjamin.
Contacts mentioned in the article:
Kurt Bussecker, Sales Director at KLINGER Dichtungstechnik
Benjamin is no stranger to the hands-on learning approach. As part of his industrial engineering studies at the National Engineering School of Chemical and Technological Arts (ENSIACET) in Toulouse, France, he alternates one month of full-time work at Groupe Efire with one month of classroom study. This method, known in France as “alternance”, is designed to ensure that students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. But when it came time to choose between a semester abroad at a university or a 13-week internship at a manufacturing company, Benjamin opted for the latter. His decision was driven by a desire to immerse himself in the real challenges of the industry.
Diving into production processes
At KLINGER Dichtungstechnik, Benjamin’s main task was to analyze the efficiency of the old and new printing and cutting machines. His findings? The new system is much faster. Hence, handling is easier for the employees and the cutting and printing capacities have been significantly increased.
“It’s all about improving the work process to benefit everyone in the long run.”
From France to Austria – Benjamin, an exchange student at KLINGER Dichtungstechnik is gaining invaluable experience to take back to Groupe Efire.
His work at KLINGER Dichtungstechnik is more than just crunching numbers. Benjamin has found that the hands-on experience on the shop floor to be invaluable. “Engineers should not stay in the office; they should see firsthand what is done in the field and get to know ‘the real life’, the production life,” he says. This philosophy drives his day-to-day work, where he works closely with both the production team and the Sales Director Kurt Bussecker to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire process.
Expanding skills across borders
Benjamin’s time at KLINGER Dichtungstechnik isn’t just beneficial to the host company; it also provides him with insights that he can take back to Groupe Efire. While working in France, he is involved in industrial projects such as the reorganization of the warehouse to streamline logistics. The experience he gains in Austria has also sparked ideas that he could implement in future projects at Groupe Efire. The exchange program is thus a two-way street of knowledge and innovation.
The partnership between KLINGER Dichtungstechnik and Groupe Efire is a shining example of how international cooperation can foster not only business relationships, but also the growth of young talent. For students like Benjamin Perez, it provides a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between education and the manufacturing world, preparing them for a future where they can truly make a difference.
