Hamid Madady Production Operator Coatafdeling

The good life that Hamid Madady now leads has not always been self-evident. He was born and raised in Iran but fled to the Netherlands in 1993. He built his life there and is now happy with his two children. “Working at VDL TBP Electronics has given me so much more than just work,” says Hamid.

How did you end up at VDL TBP Electronics?
“At the time I lived in Helmond and my work was also in Noord-Brabant. My work was going well, but in 2004 someone drew my attention to a vacancy at the then branch of tbp electronics in Den Bosch. They invited me for a job interview and then offered me a job. After a while, the message came from the branch in Dirksland that help was needed in the coating department. I was asked to help out there for about two weeks, but in the end it became much longer. It became three years of driving from Helmond to Dirksland and back, sometimes with an overnight stay in a hotel. The days were long, but it was so much fun there. The colleagues in Dirksland felt like family and more and more social contacts were created, this choice has not only brought me work but also friendships and trust. The Dutch culture also became more and more my own. This led to the step of giving up my house in Helmond and moving to Dirksland. In retrospect, I was never able to settle down in Helmond, it is a world of difference with the mentality on Goeree-Overflakkee.”

What exactly does the position of Production Operator Coat Department entail?
“As a Production Operator Coat Department, you program and operate the coating machines. So you are both a programmer and an operator. Coating is the application of one or more layers of lacquer to the printed circuit board. Electronics are everywhere, even in the most challenging environments. Without sufficient protection of the electronics, components can be exposed to things like moisture, mist, heat, etc. This affects the performance of the electronics and can lead to electrical short circuits and failure of the device. By means of coating, the sensitive components are protected against external influences. I always compare a layer of coating with protective sunscreen for the skin.”

What makes your work so enjoyable after all these years?
“There are still challenges in my work. I always try to see how the machines or the process can be improved in terms of time and quality. My colleague Elizabeth and I form a close team and together we manage the coating department. We still learn from each other and have built up a strong bond of trust. Years ago I was surprised that so many women work here. I was not used to that from my past, a real culture shock! Elizabeth also worked at tbp at that time. At the time it was unthinkable to me that such a beautiful friendship would develop between us.”

What does your future look like at VDL TBP Electronics?
“I see the future as bright. My life experience has made me strong. That gives me confidence in the future. It is a great development that we were taken over by VDL Groep a few years ago. Of course it also brings some tension, but that does not worry me. Things and situations always end up on their feet.”

You have a technical profession, but do you also have technical hobbies?
“No, strangely enough I don’t do anything with technology in my spare time. My wild hair has disappeared a bit by now, I am now in a phase of my life where there is more peace. Walking in nature, that is something I really enjoy. Another hobby is reading philosophical and psychological books, both in Dutch and Persian. In my younger years there was often restlessness inside. But by reading books and by putting things into perspective, a better balance has been created and I feel much better.”