Lars Meldgaard Nielsen

Shot Blasting, Priming Foreman

I have been working for DanSteel since 1990, when it was called Det Danske Stalvalsevark. When I finished high school I planned to enter university and study to become a doctor, but I decided to have a year off from my studies.

Two weeks later, my father had enough of me lying on the sofa watching television, so he arranged a job for me at the plant. I knew that I had found my calling from my very first day here.

Do I regret that I did not become a doctor? Not for a second! I have a fulfilling job that presents many exciting challenges during the workday, in a plant full of very skilled co-workers. I have an extensive family that I hope loves me as much as I love them: a wonderful wife and two beautiful children. My family has worked in the factory since it was built. My grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, sister, uncles, aunts and cousins.

It is great to have people that share their experience with you and help you develop in your profession.

Our plant has experienced hard times on occasion, for example at the beginning of 21st century the plant declared its bankruptcy.

We overcame these difficulties however and the plant began to operate again as a part of NLMK Group. There is not a particular part of my job, which I consider my favorite, because each different aspect of the job is interesting in itself. For example, interaction with my co-workers or being completely focused on finishing an order for a customer on time, everything is important. The atmosphere in the factory is very good and we have good relationships with one another. We often meet up together outside and at parties. No-one is left out which is very important because we can all learn from each other and help one another when required.