Dr. Terezija Kovačič met Hidria as a scholarship holder. In 2012, after successfully completing her undergraduate studies, she was employed at first as a project manager at Hidria Lamtec and later on she had an opportunity to become a development engineer, where she focuses mainly on the field of die casting. A few days ago, she completed her postgraduate studies and became a doctor of science in the field of metallurgy with the defense of her dissertation entitled Definition of thermodynamic conditions of solidification of Al99.7 on the electrical properties of the rotor.

Given that you worked with the company during your studies, was Hidria a logical choice for employment?

That's right. It was a logical continuation. In my first year of studying metallurgy, I became a Hidria scholarship holder and also did a full-time internship at the company. So I met co-workers, felt the climate in the company. The topic of my dissertation was also related to Hidria. After graduation, I wanted to get a job quickly, as I saw in Hidria an opportunity for further development. After completing your studies, you have some ideas, certain knowledge. In reality, you then find that you need to constantly learn, upgrade your knowledge, adapt to the environment.

What inspires you the most at work?

Climate and people mean a lot to me. That is one point. The other important thing is what you actually do, the extent to which you can contribute with your ideas to solutions, to move forward. These two seem very important to me. In my work, I can also find inspiration in technology itself, in the laws of physics, which we cannot ignore in development. It’s an inspiration if you do something better than, let’s say, two years ago. It also inspires me that you learn something at work, that you take a step forward and in the end you feel successful in a team that has achieved a goal together.

Do you feel that Hidria and you as part of its team can change the world for the better?

Definitely. We are developing components for the automotive industry. Together with our customers, we can contribute to more environmentally friendly solutions. Certainly such an example is the system for diesel cold starting with a pressure sensor, which is manufactured in Tolmin. Also, most of the products we develop in our business unit - rotors and stators - are later installed in cars that are hybrids, soft hybrids or even electric vehicles. Below the line, this is definitely better for the environment. In this way, Hidria can contribute to a better world and less pollution. 

Innovation is written in the DNA of Hidria. How do you feel about that at your work?

Hidria's system encourages us and also expects us to think innovatively. A certain number of new proposals must be submitted each year. In development, we also think every day about how to do something better, upgrade it, find a new idea. It is a constant process. I think it is good that as a team, as well as as an individual, you strive for continuous improvement, both in business and in private life.

In your opinion, does Hidria offer development opportunities to employees regardless of the differences?

I think so. I got a job at Hidria as a young woman, right after my studies. It is a bit atypical for a woman to work in development, in a technical profession. In Slovenia, this may not even be so unusual, but I have repeatedly heard from our customers the question of how, as a woman, I find myself in a purely technical profession. I feel very comfortable in the company. I don’t remember a single bad experience I would have because I am a woman. Even if I ever heard a remark, I probably overheard it.

What challenges are you currently facing?

We have ambitious projects ahead of us, which will be very important for our business unit, as well as for Hidria as a whole. The successful industrialization of these projects, which we are currently focusing on, will be a big and very important step for the company's operations. Industrialization is a very broad concept. The products we develop must be introduced into production, then upgraded and improved. We are also increasingly focusing on robotics and process automation. We have to make sure that all processes are running, that they are technically flawless, that we have a well-organized system in the background. Namely, customers have increasing demands for traceability and systematicity.

The challenges are unlikely to run out?

No, I don't think so!

Text: Helena Pregelj Tušar, Photo: Robert Zabukovec