The best insights into a company invariably come from those who know it well and have personal experience of it. We have around 20,000 employees worldwide, and we have asked some of them to describe what it's like to work at Festo. You can read more about the careers and activities of people who could soon be your colleagues on the following pages.
"I joined Festo 2 years ago on their degree apprenticeship program, through Festo I have been given opportunities to gain invaluable industry experiences, through working with experts across various sectors has helped me to obtain insightful engineering skills and knowledge. This is also backed up by studying for a HNC, HND and finally a degree. This allows me to put what I learn through university into practice, I find this consolidates my learning even further.
A typical day for me can involve visiting customer sites to discuss engineering applications. STEM events where we introduce pneumatics and automation to young people, and personal project work.
My biggest highlight while being at Festo was attending product training in Belgium and the Netherlands. There I got to meet colleagues face to face and attend product training ran by product managers.
Festo has helped me develop my confidence, communication and other personal skills that have helped me inside and out of work. From day one every member of the team has been encouraging and more than happy to help when I need support."
"Although I have only been working for Festo since April 2020, I have been in the industry since 1999; I knew from the start I had made the right decision to join the Festo family. It is clear to see how dedicated, friendly and conscience all the employees are. I have enjoyed my time here and have worked on several projects.
Everyone works towards the customer's needs and makes sure that they want to come back for more - while always ensuring that everyone enjoys their time here. The wide variety of products that we have available make it possible to provide the complete solution to our customers; I believe this is very rare within automation and sets Festo above the competition. Coupled with the family feel, innovative technology and wide range of customers Festo supports, every day is different, challenging and enjoyable."
I began my journey at Festo in 2019 as an apprentice in electrical engineering. Since then, I have worked in a variety of departments, ultimately securing my final placement in our Core Engineering Services as a Project Engineer. I am now approaching the end of my second year as a member of this team, I feel I have developed as a person and a colleague every day of my career.
Throughout my time at Festo, I have been involved in a wide range of projects, including handling systems and electrical automation, pneumatic applications, control cabinets, and software solutions. The diverse array of projects we deliver at Festo is one of the main reasons I enjoy my work.
As a Project Engineer, my role requires a variety of skills, including 3D/2D design and drawings, project management and PLC programming. I developed these skills during my apprenticeship and have continually refined them through daily application in my work. Festo has offered me countless opportunities to develop and learn new skills through training and real-world engineering experiences.
A highlight of mine during my time at Festo has been the people. From the start my colleagues from GB and from around the globe have been willing to offer support and share experiences which creates a fantastic working environment.
I joined Festo nearly 2 years ago as part of their degree apprenticeship program straight after I had finished school at 18. Through this great program I have been able to work towards gaining a HNC, a HND and my degree, while also gaining invaluable experience in the industry.
I know that starting my first ever job could have been a really scary experience, however Festo has welcomed me into their family by supporting and encouraging me, which has really helped to build my confidence. My colleagues are always happy to aid my development and share their knowledge with me, this paired with all of the training and development plans Festo has organised for me has meant that I have been given the best possible start.
Everyday at Festo is exciting, there is always a new project to get involved in and with each new challenge comes a new opportunity to push yourself.
I started working at Festo in June 1996 as a Service Engineer, then in 2000 I became part of the Technical Support Team and for the past 16 years an Application Support Engineer. My primary focus has always been supporting Festo’s range of advanced products, these include Servo Pneumatics, Electric Drives, Handling and Positioning Systems, Field Bus and controls technology.
As part of the Application Support Team, I help to win new business and expand existing, as well as assist with the growth in strategic sales and enable the faster introduction of new products. With technology continuously changing there is a need to ensure that my product knowledge is at the forefront of my mind, this allows me to provide customers with bespoke training courses, commission their systems and offer support at the highest level.
In my 27 years at Festo I am proud to have won Employee of the year, Special Achievement for Support and most recently the Entrepreneur of the year award.