A New Year, the Same Family: Commitment in Production

We start the year by highlighting the people who make our day-to-day possible. With new goals and the same enthusiasm as always, we spoke with Jorge Juan, one of the pillars of the production team, to learn about his journey, his view on teamwork, and what it means to be part of this family.

What makes you most proud of your work in production since you joined the company?

What fulfills me the most is the family-like atmosphere. Here, you're not just a number; there is closeness, and people matter. It's not like a large company where the boss barely knows who you are, I'm also proud of having grown within the company. I started as a cutter, then as a diablero, and now I'm the Production Manager. Today, my role is to teach people how everything works, to be a bit of a teacher. When someone with my colleagues so they feel they're not alone, and with new hires I try to give them all the support possible from say one.

After the fire the factory suffered, what positive moment would you highlight from this past year?

It was a very hard blow, even though I didn’t work directly in that warehouse. Still, it hurt because it was part of the family.

There’s one image that stayed with me: unloading a Dref just one month after the fire. For me, it was like seeing a rebirth from the ashes. That moment showed that the bosses weren’t going to give up and that the company was going to move forward, no matter what.

What human value do you gain from working side by side with your colleagues on the plant floor, compared to working alone or from home?

The affection and the way I’m treated. For someone to feel comfortable at work, they need to feel well treated. I try to make people feel at ease because when someone is comfortable, they work better. Scolding is counterproductive. It’s also important to have a sense of humor to get through difficult days and to have that constant feeling that you’re not alone. I prefer company. The small moments, comments, and laughs make everything more bearable.

What hidden effort in production work would you like customers to know about?

I’d like them to know the level of detail and control behind each product. We work with many types of cloth and materials, and from each one we have to get exactly what the customer wants. Materials like jute, for example, are more difficult to prepare and require experience. You need to know how to handle each material, adjust the machinery, constantly check quality, and maintain cleanliness and order. Everything has a purpose: making sure the customer receives a flawless product. Each piece passes through many hands and requires a lot of attention, even if that’s not always visible from the outside.

If you had to describe the essence of production work in a single sentence, what would it be?

It’s a job that’s psychologically demanding, but very rewarding, because you know you’re helping others and that your effort has meaning.

You’ve been with the company for many years. What memory or anecdote do you have of Felo, who marked the beginning of this factory?

I joined the “borrera” in 1989 and stayed until 1993. Then I went to another company for a while, but I came back because I liked the atmosphere here more. Since 2010, I’ve been back with the company until today. What I remember most about Felo was how he dealt with problems. For example, when we had difficulties with the wadding in the diablos, he looked for improvements, tried different options, and eventually found a machine that improved both work quality and operators’ working conditions. He was a caring, approachable person who always tried to help.

What would you like to ask for your team and the factory for the coming year?

I’d like to keep working with the same colleagues, because we’re a good team. I’d also like to slightly expand the workforce and maintain the same pace of work we have now.

Changing the subject: outside of work, what hobbies do you have and how do you balance them with your working life?

I like photography, radio, and, when I can, going to festivals on weekends. Since becoming a manager, I’m much more involved in work and it’s harder for me to find time for my hobbies. Still, they help me disconnect, even though I never fully do. Having a position like this comes with more responsibility, but when I do find time for my hobbies, I really value it.