Introduction
Sometimes an opportunity comes along that perfectly demonstrates how engineering and personal development reinforce one another. For me, it started with an internal request from AWL asking whether MechDes engineers could temporarily support their team in Mexico. Not to take over the work, but to share knowledge, introduce structure, and help the local teams continue to grow in their roles.
I have now been working at MechDes for almost twelve years, and the opportunity came at an interesting point in my career. Over the years, I have developed into an all-round Mechanical Engineer with a strong foundation in welding fixture design, complemented by broad experience in special-purpose machinery. It is precisely this combination of solid technical expertise and project experience that enables me not only to understand projects from a technical perspective, but also to see how decisions made in one phase influence the next.
Going to Mexico required some careful planning. I live on a farm with horses, so everything at home had to be well organized, as they require daily care and attention. Thanks to the support of those around me, we were able to arrange everything properly. That gave me the opportunity to fully embrace this experience. Not as a short business trip, but as a two-month assignment dedicated entirely to supporting the team in Mexico.
Building one way of working together
My assignment in Mexico is part of a broader initiative. Within the AWL Group, there is a strong focus on strengthening collaboration between locations around the world. The objective is clear: to operate more as one global organization, where knowledge and expertise complement and reinforce one another. For customers, this means working more efficiently and delivering a higher level of quality.
In practice, this means the focus is not only on capacity or staffing, but above all on the way teams work together. How do you ensure that teams, regardless of location, operate at a comparable level? How do you share knowledge in a way that remains valuable for the future? And how do you help local teams gradually become more independent in delivering their own projects?
Within that context, I clearly recognize the added value of MechDes. With many years of experience in mechanical and structural engineering, as well as concept development, we have built a strong foundation that also adds value internationally. That engineering mindset is exactly what I bring to AWL Mexico, where the team is developing rapidly.
A team on the move
The team in Mexico is growing rapidly. What started as a relatively small group of engineers is evolving into a broader organization with the ambition to independently execute complete projects in the future. That requires not only more people, but above all a clear structure and a shared way of working, where we think as one team and strengthen each other.
Several new engineers have recently joined the team, and they are gradually being introduced to projects and processes. That's where I can contribute directly. I coach them, ask questions, work alongside them, and help establish the right foundation. Not by doing the work for them, but by building knowledge, confidence, and ownership together.
One thing that stands out to me is how valuable physical presence is. Questions that might remain unanswered when working remotely arise naturally here. Engineers stop by, start conversations, and use those moments to exchange knowledge. It creates a completely different dynamic, where learning and development happen much more directly. As a result, my presence here helps accelerate the process and makes knowledge sharing significantly more efficient.
From engineering to process
A successful project starts with asking the right questions from the very beginning. What exactly does the customer want? Which assumptions form the foundation of the design? And how do you translate those into a clear and achievable approach? By addressing these questions early, you create clarity and structure for the rest of the project.
Communication also plays a major role. Clear agreements, well-defined expectations, and responding promptly to questions or challenges all contribute directly to the quality of the final result. These are fundamental principles within mechanical engineering at MechDes, but in a growing team they must be actively developed and embedded.
One thing that stands out in Mexico is the care and attention with which people work. Engineers take their time, make the most of the resources available, and look for solutions within those constraints. At the same time, I also see opportunities to improve by addressing issues sooner when something doesn't go as expected. Focusing on that creates room to work more efficiently without compromising quality.
My role is mainly to help create that balance. I bring a direct and down-to-earth style of communication, something the Dutch are well known for, while always taking the local context into account. This creates a collaboration in which differences are not obstacles, but opportunities to learn from one another.
Growing together
One of the moments when that collaboration becomes most visible to me is during the daily commute to work. I carpool with a local colleague who knows the area well and introduces me to life beyond the workplace.
What started as a practical solution, since my colleague doesn't have a driver's license, quickly became a fixed part of my day. During those drives, we talk about projects, but also about daily life, culture, and how things work here. It's an informal way to get to know each other better and gain a deeper understanding of what's happening within the team.
Those drives have also shown me a different side of the region. Not just the industrial areas where much of the work takes place, but also the countryside beyond them. Small villages, open landscapes, and places you wouldn't experience if you only traveled between the office and the apartment. It has given me a new appreciation for rural Mexico, and in many ways I recognize similarities with life back home.
I am currently based in Querétaro, a city known for its strong industrial development. There is a great deal of activity here, particularly in the automotive industry, creating an environment where engineering and manufacturing are constantly evolving.
At the same time, the city has a distinct character of its own. There are lively squares, local restaurants, and a culture where spending time together and enjoying the outdoors are an important part of everyday life. I regularly join my colleagues for activities, ranging from shared meals to sports and short trips around the region.
For example, we visited a pyramid in the area and spent a weekend exploring Mexico City. One item that had always been on my bucket list was attending a genuine Mexican rodeo. It was fantastic that someone from the team knew everything about it and could show us the experience firsthand. It's been great to discover both the similarities and the differences compared to life back home.
A true part of the team
Within the team in Mexico, I am fully involved in day-to-day activities. I'm visible, approachable, and engaged in everything that's happening. That applies not only to the work itself, but also to the informal moments. Whether it's during lunch, on the work floor, or while playing a game of table tennis, those are often the moments where conversations happen and real connections are built. Not because they have to, but because that's what naturally happens when you're genuinely part of a team.
One thing I particularly enjoy is that a new female engineer has recently joined the team, and I have the opportunity to help onboard and mentor her. It adds another positive dynamic to the team. What I appreciate most is that it helps us grow together professionally. We all speak the same technical language, while each of us brings our own background and perspective to the work.
The power of connection
What I see here in Mexico perfectly reflects how I experience MechDes. Craftsmanship, commitment, and a willingness to share knowledge form the foundation. Not as separate qualities, but as a way of working together. By being present, collaborating closely, and actively investing in development, you create something that is bigger than a single project or a single location. It strengthens the local team while also reinforcing collaboration across the entire AWL Group.
Ultimately, that's what it's all about for me: engineering becomes stronger when knowledge is shared. Not only across departments or national borders, but above all from one person to another. I'll take those insights back with me to MechDes and into our collaboration within AWL. But first, I'm looking forward to returning home and pursuing my sporting ambitions with my horses in dressage, because this adventure has given me renewed energy.
