For Mitchel, no two days are the same. “I never know exactly what the day will bring, apart from my regular meetings,” he explains. “Anything can happen: a forklift with battery issues, labels that won’t stick, or a machine that’s not properly adjusted. When that happens, the whole schedule shifts and I have to coordinate with the filling department and the warehouse. The challenge is to stay calm, communicate well with the team and avoid making rushed decisions.”

That mindset doesn’t just define Mitchel; it also reflects Cartec’s culture as a whole. “Everyone looks out for each other. That’s what makes working here so enjoyable: colleagues help one another, step in during holidays and make sure production never stops. There’s no resistance, everyone takes responsibility. It creates a really positive atmosphere.”

From intern to supervisor

Mitchel’s career at Cartec started in an unexpected way. During an internship in Barcelona, he got in touch with Nick, Operations Manager at Cartec, about his graduation project. “It immediately felt right, and I was soon given a graduation assignment focused on transport. After finishing my studies, I decided to stay and started a Supply Chain Traineeship. It allowed me to experience every part of the company, from production to the warehouse, and to discover where my strengths lie and where they don’t. During a project to set up a new production line, I realized this is where I belong.”

That line is now up and running, complete with a capping and labeling function. “It was my project from start to finish, from contacting the supplier to arranging the electrical work and clearing out the old racks. It gave me the chance to find out whether I wanted to specialize further or take on a broader leadership role. Now, I’m doing exactly what I enjoy.”

The biggest surprise along the way

Mitchel started out in transport but soon discovered that production suited him much better. “When you do what you enjoy, you can get the best out of yourself. I’m grateful that Cartec gave me the opportunity to make that switch. Now it works well for both sides: I do what I love, and you can see that reflected in the atmosphere and the results.”

What gives him the most satisfaction is leading his team. “Making plans together, working on improvements and then seeing at the end of the week that we’ve achieved them gives me energy. By Friday, I’m already looking forward to Monday again.”

Safety as a foundation

What drives him most in his role is workplace safety. Every Monday the team starts the week together with a meeting. “Safety always comes first. We discuss personal protective equipment, share tips for safe forklift driving and review any incidents to learn from them. We identify risks and come up with solutions together. It’s our top priority and something we always stay focused on.”

For Mitchel, safety is inseparable from motivation. “By reflecting on our performance, celebrating successes and continuously emphasizing safety, we keep each other sharp. It motivates us to get a little better every week.”

Innovation: three new machines that make a difference

In addition to safety, Mitchel and his team are fully committed to innovation. Recently, three new machines were introduced that are taking the entire company to the next level.

1. Automation of small packaging

“In the past, we filled bottles mostly by hand and applied labels semi-automatically. Now we simply place an empty bottle on the line, and a perfectly filled and labeled bottle comes out in a box at the end. It’s amazing to see hundreds of bottles rolling off the line every hour. Everything is spot on: every bottle is filled evenly, the caps are tightly secured, the labels are straight, and the batch codes are perfectly printed. That really makes me happy — no human could ever keep up with that.”

2. Production line for large packaging

A new line has also been introduced for 5, 10 and 20-liter cans. “That’s a huge improvement. Previously, filling the cans was a manual and heavy process. Now it’s much more ergonomic and quieter, with a closing drill and a lifting aid to place the cans on pallets. This makes the work lighter, safer and faster. It’s great to see how different departments collaborate on this and how we’re automating step by step. In the future, we plan to expand the large packaging line with a labeling and box-closing module. Innovation never stops.”

3. The new weighing and pumping system

“This system pumps raw materials directly from a weighing platform into the production tank. It allows us to mix and produce faster and more consistently. It’s a major step forward in further automation,” Mitchel explains.

Responsibility and big decisions

When asked what people around him might not know about his job, Mitchel smiles. “My family and friends would probably be surprised to see how much responsibility I have and how many people I manage. I make decisions every day that affect the planning, and we produce large volumes. They might not expect that from me, but I really enjoy it,” he says with a laugh.

The best moment of the day

His favorite moment? The daily start. “That’s when we sit together with the planner and team leaders to discuss the schedule, any special situations and whether we need to wait for raw materials. It ensures that both the production and filling departments can run at full capacity. It gives structure and makes sure everyone is working in the same direction.”

Favourite product: Splash Shampoo

When asked which product he would take home forever, Mitchel doesn’t have to think twice. “Splash Shampoo — it’s the most practical product, and it really makes your car shine. I wash my car regularly and, in the beginning, I immediately bought a Colorline Starter Kit so I could test all the products myself.”

Looking ahead to the future

He’s optimistic about the future. “Within a year, we’ll be moving to our new building. Then production, filling and the warehouse will all be under one roof. No more separate locations like we have now, everything will be centralised and streamlined. That means faster communication, more efficient processes and even better control over what we produce. I’m really looking forward to that.”