25 years Jim Wirth at Ferrum Process Systems Inc.
10. Aug 2023
We are pleased to announce that Jim Wirth has been with Ferrum Process Systems Inc. for 25 years. For this reason, we asked Jim to give us a review of his work at Ferrum.
Jim was hired as a service technician in February 1998, when he was still working for Sulzer U.S in Houston, Texas. Starting around 2006 Jim became the only person working at the Ferrum office in Houston and took over all the spare parts & customer service activities, in addition to his service technician duties. in August 2017 - Ferrum Inc. relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jim is originally from this area and has family and good friends there. Jim currently works as a Head of Customer Service for Ferrum Process Systems Inc. (PRUS)
25 years of Ferrum, a milestone you celebrated recently. What does this anniversary mean to you?
To me it means that while I am nearing the end of my working time, I have been able to have the continuity and stability of having a good employer that appreciated my value to keep me around this long.
Can you still remember how it all began?
I had previously been working on all types of centrifuges for many years for other employers, both in the workshop and field service. I was working for Bird Machine Co. (now owned by Andritz) as a workshop foreman at their Houston Service Center. One day, I received a call from an employment recruiter that was hired by Ferrum/Sulzer to find a technician to work out of Sulzer’s Houston office. I had some interviews as part of the screening process and the final interview was with Danny Bosshard, head of customer service from Ferrum, Switzerland. He selected me over the other candidates.
What did Ferrum look like when you joined and what has changed? What developments have you witnessed?
I have seen the facility expansion and modernization over the years.
Our product line has expanded and the current generation of machines we manufacture now. I was the “new” guy when I started. Most of the people that were there when I started have since retired, or moved on to other opportunities. Now, I’m the old guy.
From the abundance of customer encounters and exciting experiences, what do you remember most during these years?
I have made a lot of very good friends at many client’s sites. The connections on a personal level with these people are a very important part of the job to me. It makes the work more enjoyable for sure. It also helps that they know me as a person and that I really do care about doing my best job for them.
I have been able to travel all over the U.S. , Canada, Mexico, parts of Europe thanks to this job. I probably would never have been able to do that without Ferrum.
What are the greatest strengths of Ferrum from your point of view?
Quality, machines that are designed well, good people.
What is your greatest wish that you personally have for your future and for Ferrum?
- For my future, I wish to have the health to enjoy my retirement years with my wonderful wife. To travel, enjoy the activities we love, to meet new people and be with old friends.
- For Ferrum, I hope they have another 100 years of success and prosperity.
- For my colleagues, I wish them all the best. Good health ,happiness, success in all their endeavors.
