Can you introduce yourself and your role in the company?
Hello. Hello, 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) I am Marcelo Bravo, Quality Director for the international regions, currently in charge of the Quality teams in China and South Africa. I have been working at ME Elecmetal for almost 12 years.
What attracted you to ME Elecmetal?
I studied Metallurgical Engineering, and within the degree I was always drawn to the field of materials science. So starting to work at ME Elecmetal made a lot of sense to me. Also, I had very good references about the company from colleagues who worked here, many of them from the same University of Santiago, in Chile.
How would you describe the culture at ME Elecmetal?
And I was not wrong. After developing my career in Santiago and Rancagua, Chile, the company gave me the opportunity to work in Changzhou, China, where ME Elecmetal has a plant. Thus, I have been in contact with different continents within the company; and despite the cultural differences of each country, the presence of corporate values is evident in each of them. Mainly respect for the dignity of people, respect for others' opinions, concern that everyone works safely, and engagement with local schools and universities, marking the distinctive ME Elecmetal signature.
What benefits do you value most about working here?
I arrived in a post-COVID China, together with my wife and three young children. Although it is a very different culture in every sense, everyone has always been very kind to us and we have adapted well. So much so that my wife and children already speak Chinese. I am also working on it, but honestly, at work I speak English. But I am happy that as a family we have had this unique opportunity because we have all been able to meet people who think differently, and that has enriched our way of thinking and facing problems. For example, when I arrived I asked a Chinese colleague for some information, expecting to receive it in two or three days. But he sent it to me the same day, and it was not a small amount. His commitment surprised me, but it also made me reflect that I had to respond to him with the same efficiency. So, this experience has given me new tools both personally and professionally.
Personal anecdotes about teamwork, achievements, or company events.
Without a doubt, the work team at ME Elecmetal China is one of the achievements I am most proud of. We are a cohesive team, respectful of each other's roles, and there is evident trust that everyone fulfills their responsibilities, always with the well-being of employees and our internal and external clients in mind, so that development is sustainable. In the last 4 years, production has increased by nearly 80%, reaching full plant capacity last year, with a low level of internal rejection and meeting commitments to clients, which has not been easy but has been achieved thanks to the teamwork of our colleagues and our sales teams who have managed to supply volume to the plant during the highest growth phase. Here, the work of everyone, in each of their areas, is key. Today, ME Elecmetal's growth has taken me to South Africa, where we are working to build from local learning, but now with our company's seal. That is, our company is characterized by contributing rather than ignoring what already exists. In this way, we are characterized by being cohesive teams where there is trust to share ideas and create new things.
How does your team contribute to solving the challenges of the mining industry?
The work of each of us – as a team – is directly related to the quality of the products and services that ME Elecmetal offers, which is fundamental for the recognition and reputation we have with clients. We have the great responsibility to deliver what we promise to our clients on time; and our Quality team must support the rest of the teams to achieve this.
What excites you most about the future of ME Elecmetal?
I see a very exciting future full of growth opportunities: the expansion of the China plant, the integration of the South Africa team, the growth of the CPS team through possible new business lines. All of this seems interesting to me and opens new career development spaces. Ten years ago, I would never have imagined that I would be in China and South Africa; that I would also be working with teams in the United States; and looking back, I realize that all these experiences have made me see things differently; and I realize I am part of a company that grows thanks to teamwork to fulfill our commitments. Where will I be next year? I don’t know, there is much to learn. And I like that.
