Frank Rüdiger

More than good grades

Everybody has their passion, and for Frank Rüdiger it’s power supply systems for all types of chemical plants and especially fertilizer plants. 16 in total have now already been designed and built by thyssenkrupp Plant Technology in Egypt alone. Frank Rüdiger is an engineer and has worked most of his life for thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions in Dortmund. He joined the company in 1991 – shortly after German reunification – straight from Chemnitz university where he graduated with a degree in electrical and automation engineering.

What originally attracted Frank Rüdiger was the variety of the work, involving different requirements and cultures around the world. And his enthusiasm has never waned, because there are always new projects presenting him and his team with new challenges: whether it’s high, medium or low voltage systems, drive units, explosion protection, lighting or communication installations, the sheer variety of tasks is dizzying. After holding various positions in the company, Rüdiger is now Head of Electrical Engineering Global, in charge of an 80-strong team working at the Dortmund, Bad Soden and Beckum sites in various project areas such as chemicals, mining and cement. He also has global responsibility for electrical engineering across all business units in the Plant Technology segment, spread over 10 sites around the world.

Frank Rüdiger has now worked as an electrical engineer for almost thirty years and has a wealth of practical experience, gained in countless projects at many different jobsites. He doesn’t like unrealistic goals and is a man of action, preferring practical, workable solutions. Advancing technology and improving internal processes in engineering and in the coordination of work with local organizations and partners around the world are his top priorities. In job interviews, grades are not the only thing he looks for. “In my view the ability to work in a team and practical experience are just as important,” says Rüdiger. “And of course applicants should also show determination, curiosity and global mindedness.” Collegiality, openness and trust as a basis for good teamwork are not empty words for him but qualities actively practiced in his department by him and his colleagues. Hard work, commitment and further training have helped him advance his career: “I’ve always been happy to go the extra mile,” says Rüdiger, “and I’ve learned a lot from my supervisors”. With this in mind it’s particularly important to him to pass on his knowledge to junior colleagues, because he knows there are lots of things you can’t learn at university, but only through practical experience.