From drawing boards to computer models - three generations of employees from the Engineering Department at Aurubis Bulgaria tell their stories

"Aurubis Bulgaria is a pioneer in the integration of best practices, improvements and modernization of production. Machines are renewed, technologies are improved. Behind every success and thought for improvement are people. And everyone who has worked here over the past 67 years is a part of the company's history and success.

On 4th of March, 15 retired employees and former colleagues from the Engineering Department returned to the plant for a day. They have worked in different periods of the company's development - from MDK Georgi Damyanov through Union Minier, Umicore Med, Cumerio to today's Aurubis Bulgaria.

The strong connection between the generations at Aurubis is also found in the symbolism that the guests were greeted with smiles and martenitsas by fourth graders from Todor Vlaikov Primary School in Pirdop.
 
The Engineering Department team invited the guests to rejoin their workplaces in the former Construction Department. Conversations moved from memories of drawing boards and manual calculations to today's computer models and automated systems.

"The visitors were impressed - not only by the organization, but also by the opportunity to return to the places where they have spent a significant part of their lives," said Ivan Stanoev, Manager of the Design Department at Aurubis Bulgaria.

The Tour of the production facilities that followed was also like a trip back in time. The former colleagues were told and shown which devices were manually adjusted and had the opportunity to see brand new machines and have a professional conversation on the topic of automation. They visited the Anode section of the Metallurgical Production, the Slag Flotation Plant and one of the company's photovoltaic parks.  "The machines are changing, but the people who built them are remaining. Without them, none of this would exist," said Stoyan Alipiev, former head of the department.

Among the guests was Lyubka Dimova, who for many years kept the honorary and memory book of MDC. "I remember inscribing these books with the names of people, events and important moments. Today, although I did not see them, the feeling was the same - I met people who are part of this history, and I went back in time," she said.

Before leaving Aurubis, the guests already made a statement that they would love to visit the company again next year.