Meet Jean-Louis, Laboratory technician

" My work covers all aspects of formulation upstream of industrialisation, including laboratory testing and the processes to be implemented to ensure that our tablets are manufactured correctly."

STAFF INTERVIEW

JEAN-Louis, Laboratory technician!

WHAT’S YOUR MAIN TASK?

« My work covers all aspects of formulation upstream of industrialisation, including laboratory testing and the processes to be implemented to ensure that our tablets are manufactured correctly. This stage enables us to validate the product's future industrialisation. I work also on new tablet coating processes and new designs. »

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH EUROTAB? IN WHICH POSITIONS?

« I joined Eurotab in 2002 as a forklift driver, and a year and a half later I became a line operator on our detergent production lines.

In 2010, I moved to the laboratory as a laboratory technician in the R&D department.

I am also the contact person for our TEC (Tabletting Expertise Center), where new formulas are tested and analysed. »

WHAT IS YOUR TYPICAL DAY LIKE?

« I'm mainly in the field. I do a lot of experimentation and analysis in parallel with the projects to help move them forward. I don't attend project monitoring meetings directly, but I do work behind the scenes to improve the formulas and ensure that they meet the expectations of the company and its customers. That suits me fine.

On a daily basis, I work on the issues that need to be resolved, to improve a formula or develop an innovation. For example, I'll carry out tests by changing the composition or other variables and then see how the product reacts.

This may have to do with how well the tablet dissolves, its robustness, compaction or simply the behaviour of the powders. I keep starting over until I find the right combination!

I'm also called upon to carry out efficacy tests in our own laboratory or to process samples to be sent to customers or for external testing. »

WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU NEED FOR THIS POSITION?

« You need to be thorough, methodical, patient and willing to accept failure, because the ideal solution is rarely found after one go - you have to persevere!

You need to be a good listener and have good people skills, because we deal with a lot of people, both internally and externally, and the key is to fully understand their needs in order to provide the best possible solution. »

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT EUROTAB?

« I enjoy the values of mutual support, the opportunities for career advancement, the friendly atmosphere and the close colleague-management relationship. »