Rik retired in May: a 40-year story supporting JONCKHEERE's robotization ambitions.
In May we celebrated Rik Adriaen's retirement, after working more than 40 loyal years in JONCKHEERE.
When we look at Rik's career, we get a clear view of JONCKHEERE's robotization history. Thanks to his strong interest in welding and a thirst for continuous learning he introduced and tested the new technologies.
Rik joined us in June 1985. He shared a story from his early days with colleagues: back then, he knew almost nothing about welding. However, at Jonckheere, we believe in people with a drive to learn—and Rik is that type of person. That is why he became foreman at the end of 1986, and supervisor in 1987.
Back in 1986, when JONCKHEERE was the first company in Belgium to introduce robotic welding, Rik was involved from the very beginning (see picture below from our first robot back then). While it was an unknown technology to many at the time, he seized the opportunity, completed the training, and learned to master our first IGM machine. Since then, he has ridden every technological wave—from complex Cloos tandem welding to today's advanced Panasonic systems. Thanks to his continuous learning thirst he also mastered the UT-2 certification in 2009 and the international Welding Specialist in 2010.
Over the years Rik evolved from operator at the robot into an expert who shaped the way we work with robots today. He helped set up our processes, mentored his colleagues, and played a key role in the launch of offline programming (DTPS), which we now successfully utilize in both Belgium and our plant in Slovakia (Košice). It is thanks to people like Rik that we are where we are today: he successfully started up 15 welding robots in Roeselare, 3 in Poperinge and 5 in Kosice. While we will miss his vast experience and friendly presence on the shop floor, he leaves with the satisfaction of a job well done: skilled colleagues in the robotic team and robust procedures that continue to drive our production forward. Automation and robotic welding are now a permanent part of our DNA, thanks in no small part to his contribution.
A New Chapter
Rik, instead of programming robots, you will now be focused on your other passions: your family and your garden. We hope that you can pass a lot of your wisdom to your grandchildren, and wish you a lot of joy doing so. Thank you for these 40 years, for your loyalty and for everything you have done for the company. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, but please don't forget us—you are always welcome to stop by.
