phil

Philippe

Technical Manager for Anti-Collision Systems, with Ascorel® for 35 years.
What did you want to be when you grew up, when you were little?

When I was little, I wanted to work in mechanics on anything that was fitted to vehicles… cars, lorries…

 

How did you end up at ASCOREL®?

I’d done an internship at ERAIN through my uncle, who worked there. A few years later, the technical director of ERAIN set up the company Ascorel®. After finishing my studies, I applied to Ascorel® and was hired.

 

Did you ever think you’d end up working here?

Not at all. I never intended to stay with the same company for 35 years, but it’s been such a wonderful journey… One of the reasons I stayed at Ascorel® was that they listened to me; I was lucky enough to be offered the roles I’d applied for (or which had been suggested to me), enabling me to get to where I am today…

Why do you think you stayed for so long?

Because there are always new topics to explore, we never get bored. We have quite a lot of freedom in what we do. Ascorel® is an innovative company that makes you want to get involved and stay on board.

What did you do when you first started at Ascorel®?

When I first joined Ascorel®, I was a cable fitter; then, a few months after returning from military service, I was put in charge of the production department, a role I held until 2012. From 2012 to 2018, I worked in technical support for MC320 products for mobile cranes, anti-collision systems for tower cranes, and also in the mobile automation sector with manufacturers of ladders and aerial work platforms. From 2018 to 2023, I joined the sales department as the anti-collision sales representative for France. I was responsible for the business development of anti-collision systems across France and for coordinating the Manitowoc network worldwide.

Since January 2024, I have been back in the technical department as Technical Manager for anti-collision and radio control systems.

How would you describe a typical working day as a technical anti-collision manager?

My working days are quite busy. They involve a mix of various internal technical matters, dealing with client enquiries, organising my team’s travel arrangements…

You’re often on the move as part of your work. What’s your fondest memory of being out and about?

Every journey is a gateway to adventure… every journey has its own charm and its own story…

During my time as a technician, I saw whales swimming past the oil rigs in the Congo… I worked on the world’s largest barge in the Congo… I flew by helicopter to a rig in Nigeria… I went to Gabon to service a crane, but to my surprise, when I arrived it had been dismantled into spare parts… I was on a crane in Toulon where I saw the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle up close… When you’re working on cranes, every vantage point at the top offers a unique view every single time!

What’s your next big challenge?

My challenge began back in January with my new role and my return to the technical department. I have to deal with all technical enquiries from anti-collision customers.

What do you like about the anti-collision system?

I’m living a dream every day; I love what I do… Developing Ascorel®’s anti-collision business in France is a challenge I relish every day… The people I meet come from backgrounds that are sometimes completely different, but they’re all driven by the same passion: cranes or related fields such as anti-collision systems.

Cranes and anti-collision systems are diverse fields that are evolving very rapidly; you have to constantly keep an eye on the latest developments…

At Ascorel®, how would you describe the working atmosphere?

I believe that the success of Ascorel® is down to the quality of our staff and the support we give each other across departments. We all have different backgrounds and personalities, but we can count on our colleagues when the need arises.

Thank you, Philippe

Date: 02/2024

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