Sometimes, a small idea discussed during a staff appraisal can lead to big opportunities. This was the case for our chemical technician, who has been studying process engineering alongside his job since the end of 2020. His wish was to gain more practical experience and broaden his horizons – not only in Montabaur, but also internationally.
After all, a good engineer needs a broad spectrum of practical experience. At Ursa-Chemie, there are many opportunities to experience processes first-hand, but at some point, your own horizons are no longer enough. The desire for larger plants, new technologies, insights into international engineering teams and an expanded network grew.
From idea to opportunity
The topic first came up during employee appraisals at the end of 2024. After initial consideration, it initially looked as though it would remain just an idea – until managing directors Andreas Möller and Dr Michael Müller seized the opportunity and approached Dr Felix Grimm, Chief Operating Officer of the Zschimmer & Schwarz Group. And suddenly everything happened very quickly: an internship at the Zschimmer & Schwarz Group, but not at the headquarters in Lahnstein, but at a subsidiary in the USA. Zschimmer & Schwarz is a global supplier of chemical additives and specialities, bringing together 27 companies in 16 countries on five continents worldwide. The group also holds a 50% stake in Ursa-Chemie GmbH.
What was initially planned as a maintenance and repair assignment developed, in consultation with our US colleagues, into an intensive internship with the engineering team at Zschimmer & Schwarz, Inc. at their sites in Milledgeville and Ivey in the state of Georgia.
Between batch reactors and high-temperature processes
Die ersten Wochen führten nach Milledgeville. Hier werden diverse Batch-Reaktoren mit unterschiedlichemFassungsvermögen betrieben – eine vergleichbare Dimension zur Ursa-Chemie in Montabaur.
In the third week, we visited the newer site in Ivey. The production lines there operate according to the so-called ‘Ivey Plant Process’. This technology allows three products to be manufactured simultaneously in one plant.
Here, our employee was not only able to delve deeply into the technical processes, but also learn about modern data preparation tools such as Power BI, Power Automate and Smartsheet. Working in the engineering team – whether on planning, lunch & learn sessions with suppliers or discussing filtration processes – provided valuable inspiration for the work in Montabaur.
Surprise at the end
Shortly before the end of the internship, there was another very special highlight: our two managing directors also travelled to the USA – as genuine surprise guests. The joy was immense, and the time spent together on site was a strong sign of appreciation. They then embarked on the return journey together.
This gesture not only underscored the tremendous support provided by management, but also demonstrated how openly and cooperatively Z&S US approached the entire project. An all-around successful experience!
Experiences that last
In addition to the professional input, it was above all the personal contacts that made this internship so special. Whether at business dinners with executives, in discussions with shift supervisors or while exploring the region together – valuable conversations and connections were made everywhere.
The result: four weeks full of new impressions, professional inspiration and intercultural experiences. Particularly important for the work at Ursa-Chemie: an even deeper understanding of technical processes and a new perspective on communication in international teams.
The employee looks back on his internship with enthusiasm: ‘All I can say is that I learned an incredible amount during this time – and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I hope that other colleagues at Ursa or Z&S will also be able to take advantage of this opportunity in the future.’
We are delighted to be able to offer our employees such extraordinary experiences. After all, personal development, professional growth and international networking go hand in hand.
