HEAD OF EDS-ENGINEERING PRODUCTION GRIGORIY VASENKO:
"We feel ourselves like a unified team at EDS, where the result depends on the effectiveness of each individual."
ABOUT HIS CAREER
Grigoriy, when did you start working at EDS and in what position?
In 2011, right after university (majoring in Mining Electromechanics, electrical engineer for mining operations), I started working as a design engineer. The design department was small at that time, with only two engineers. I joined as a student without any experience.
I had an interview with Aleksandr Zapyshniy, and due to the high workload, I had to start immediately. Thankfully, my colleagues helped and shared their experience during the initial stages until I started to grasp everything on my own.
HOW DID YOU TRANSITION FROM THE DESIGN DEPARTMENT TO PRODUCTION?
I worked in the design department until 2014. It had grown significantly and new several
divisions were established. During that time, we were working on interesting projects, one of which was related to power supply in the oil refining industry in Kazakhstan. European certifications were required for that project, so the company sent us to undergo training in Malta for six months. However, the "Kazakhstan" project never materialized, but that's another story (smiles). Nonetheless, we gained valuable experience from that training, which still serves us today.
In general, in 2015, as we remember, there was a crisis in the country. The company was downsizing, and the design department was also affected. However, despite the challenging times, EDS decided to venture into developing their own production of switchgear equipment. It was somewhat daring but calculated. The niche was open, and I had the desire and ideas for it. They offered me the opportunity, and I agreed to take it on.
WERE YOU READY FOR SUCH CHANGES? WAS IT A STRONG-WILLED DECISION OR WAS IT STRESSFUL?
I believe it depends on one's ambition and self-motivation.
For example, throughout my school life, I played football, and I had a good coach.
Eventually, we started playing football at a semi-professional level. And I realized one simple thing: if you're being defeated, you don't have the right to give up. You fight, you strive to win despite everything because your self-esteem kicks in: "How is it possible that another player outplayed me?! Did I train so hard for nothing? Is he really that much better?!"
Similarly, at the moment when we began installing our own equipment, my ambition, enthusiasm, and passion were stronger than the fear of experiencing failure.
GRIGORIY, WHAT'S NEXT? WHAT'S YOUR NEXT AMBITION?
Certainly, I have ambitions. First and foremost, they are related to the quality of our products, safety, and usefulness for the clients. Let me give you an example. Henry Ford once said, "Quality means doing it right when no one is looking."
TELL US, WHAT ARE YOU PROUD OF IN TERMS OF YOUR MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE?
I am proud that I have been able to assemble a truly professional team and develop the department in such a way that we create job opportunities and people can grow within the team and showcase their best qualities.
I take pride when newcomers join us fresh out of university, young and inexperienced, just like I was once... But with a burning desire to work! Through projects, through workload, through many "I can't," they eventually create a product and see it in action. They have the opportunity to work and earn money. This is called creation, and it is truly exciting and wonderful.
ABOUT THE EDS-POWER TEAM
Grigoriy, tell us about your team
During the development of our production, the most important task was to assemble a great team. By a great team, I don't just mean good guys but true professionals. Because a lot depends on that.
We have excellent technical experts, such as Yura Panchyshyn, who is practically a "co- founder" of our production. He has been working at EDS even longer than I have. Mykola Fomenko who implemented elements of a lean production system, where every tool has a designated place after work. There are many other fantastic specialists in our team, and there wouldn't be enough lines to list them all. But I'm proud of each and every one of them.
WHAT EXPERTS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY?
There is always a need for designers. And there is a shortage of ready-made specialists because no matter who comes to us, EDS has its own parameters and requirements.
Currently, most employees in managerial positions, meaning those who have a certain work link, are our own people who have gone through stages from workers to masters and then to section supervisors. The growth happens internally, and there are reasons for that. When our employees grow, they become more involved in the process. They understand the internal requirements of the company. Those who have been working for several years know that the "it will do" approach doesn't work at EDS.
YOU NEED ENGINEERS, WHY IS IT DIFFICULT TO FIND THEM?
The product we are developing is specific to the energy market. If we can attract an expert who has worked in this field, we can benefit greatly from their feedback. He possesses foundational knowledge that can be integrated into what we have already developed or what we plan for the expansion of our production line.
We have been searching for a chief engineer for six months and mainly received inquiries from heads of large engineering departments, where the specifics are slightly different.
DOES MANAGEMENT PROVIDE FREEDOM OF ACTION? AND AS A MANAGER, DO YOU ALLOW SUBORDINATES TO SHOW INITIATIVE?
Yes, we have freedom of action and the company owner is always open to new ideas. However, we also bear responsibility for an efficient process and the outcomes.
As for myself, in the past year and a half, I have been striving to make my employees as independent as possible, so that they come to me not with a problem but with potential solutions. I set them up for this mindset. I believe that I have been successful in doing so. We feel like a unified team at EDS, where the results depend on the effectiveness of each individual.
WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE A NEW EMPLOYEE, SUCH AS A STUDENT, WHO IS CHOOSING A COMPANY TO START THEIR CAREER?
Do not be afraid to showcase your abilities and acquire valuable knowledge. Even in a simple mechanical job, such as an assembler, there are many parameters and intricacies that need to be understood. While some things come with experience, you cannot do without specialized literature. By possessing knowledge, you become more versatile, capable, and mobile in your career.
ABOUT THE JOURNEY FROM IDEA TO IMPLEMENTATION OF X-LINE
IT IS KNOWN THAT THE PROJECT OF THE X-LINE DISTRIBUTION DEVICE IS ESSENTIALLY YOUR BRAINCHILD. TELL US HOW IT ALL STARTED
It's not entirely mine- it's a joint product of our team. The manufacturing process started simply, with the production of basic cabinets. At that time, a demo version of the input distribution device (developed by Boris Ryabokon) had already been created.
After being appointed as the head of production at EDS, my first task was to launch the mass production of the product. We needed to redesign the prototype, bring it to the level of a finished product, and put it into production. My project was named X-Line.
There were many refinements along the way. This is natural because during operation, many aspects emerge that couldn't be anticipated in the initial design. By receiving feedback from the market and the installations where X-Line is being used, we discovered equipment issues and challenges that were impossible to foresee during the development process.
CAN WE CONSIDER THIS PROCESS OF REFINEMENT CONTINUOUS?
Absolutely, the refinement process is ongoing. Not all the functions we have currently conceived and developed are necessarily required by our clients, and that is normal too. We adapt to the market's needs. X-Line can still be further improved and digitized - all the possibilities are there.
CAN IT BE CONSIDERED THAT AS A TEMPLATE SOLUTION, IT HAS "ENTERED" THE MARKET?
I believe so. We have introduced a simple, compact, and reliable product that serves as a template solution.
IS THE X-LINE RANGE REPRESENTED IN DIFFERENT SEGMENTS?
Yes, depending on the input parameters, it can range from 160 A to 630 A.
Depending on the completion, it also comes in different configurations, including a basic version (with reliable but simple brands) or a more advanced version (with low-voltage equipment).
We have maximally represented the X-Line range for the "Kazakhstan" project, which includes 4 cabinets with the X-Line concept, featuring a distribution cabinet with a capacity of up to 630A.
YOU DIDN’T LAUNCH THE ENTIRE RANGE IN UKRAINE. WHY? THERE WASN’T DEMAND ON A MARKET?
In Ukraine, we did not attempt to launch the entire X-Line range for sale on a serial basis. Market needs are constantly changing, and we adapt accordingly.
For example, the first X-Line unit we deployed was for 160 A. However, in the past two years, we have not produced any of those units because the demand has shifted towards cabinets with capacities of 250-400 A. Adapting an existing model that has proven its efficiency to meet the market's needs is not difficult for us.
HOW DID YOU IMPLEMENT IT INTO ATB SHOPFITTING?
The decision to introduce the X-Line equipment in ATB building stores was driven by the need to optimize the space occupied by the input switchgear equipment. After analyzing the situation and identifying the problem, we proposed to ATB a solution: replacing 4-5 units of other equipment with a single X-Line cabinet.
I was responsible for the technical aspects of the project and worked closely with the company owner, Oleksandr Zapyshnyi. Representatives from ATB visited us for test inspections and provided their feedback. It was a comprehensive process where we took into account all their requirements and incorporated them into the final design.
WHY DID THIS SOLUTION PROVE SUCCESSFUL?
Firstly, it is more convenient than before, as it significantly saves space in the technical premises of ATB. X-Line has become smaller, allowing for the production of smaller switchboards. The optimal size now allows for installation in hard-to-reach places (smiles). Secondly, we have always been good at meeting deadlines. There were moments of heavy workload when I thought we wouldn't make it...
However, we found opportunities, reorganized ourselves. The maximum number of X-Line units shipped in a month was 35, and all of them were successfully launched and are operational.
ABOUT MANUFACTURING
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY UNDER YOUR COMMAND?
Today, we have 120 employees working in our production facility.
In terms of growth, we are launching a new workshop and acquiring sheet bending machines, CNC laser cutting machines, an overhead crane, and constructing new buildings. Our designers are currently working actively, and we are hiring more technologists. The production is expanding, and as a result, new positions and professions that didn't exist before are being added.
Three years ago, we launched a full-fledged welding department, which now has a workforce of 50 employees.