By definition, process engineers help to transform raw materials into valuable products. They are responsible for designing, implementing, controlling, and optimizing industrial processes and machinery in the processing industry.

At Archetype Group, Jan Podzamsky leads the business of transforming, designing, and everything in between that turns raw materials into actual products.

Jan earned a master’s degree in engineering with a specialization in manufacturing technology and industrial management from the Brno University of Technology in the Czech Republic. Following his graduation, he remained in the Czech Republic and worked as a process engineer for three years.

In February 2015, Jan officially started his seven-year journey with Archetype Group in Bangkok, Thailand, where he has been based ever since. He was later promoted and filled the role of Process Engineering Department Manager, in which he was responsible for quality and standards implementation as well as project lead engineering with a focus on the chemical and food industries.

Jan landed his director role in December 2021 and has since made a difference in the way Archetype Group runs everything.

In this month’s Meet The Expert episode, we meet with Jan Podzamsky — the Group Director of Process Engineering. He gives us a glimpse of how raw materials are transformed into products, the challenges he faces, and his advice for the younger generation.

In process engineering, the objective is to transform raw materials into products. Can you tell us more about the different steps of your scope of work?

While it’s hard to generalize, the first step is ensuring that raw materials are prepared the right way and there’s storage to keep them in the ideal condition. By doing these things, the quality of the materials is guaranteed.

For instance, meat — either frozen or unfrozen — has to be stored in a cold environment. Another example is powder storage as air cannot exceed certain humidity levels. By following recommended storage conditions, we are able to prevent the deterioration of raw materials.

Also, some chemicals are very volatile and would evaporate under normal conditions. Other chemicals are temperature sensitive and thus require specific measures such as cooling, pressurization or simple vapor recovery to prevent excessive losses.

The materials that we use vary. That means we perform a specific process that’s distinct for each raw material. From there, we proceed to production. And finally, there’s packing and storing.

You have now been working at Archetype Group for more than seven years and have extensive experience in various sectors. What are some of the challenges and complications you’ve met along the way?

Every industry is unlike the other. Each has its own unique difficulties at different levels. Recently, food and pharma projects have represented bigger challenges — at least to me — as they can pull my focus in different areas as these industries are heavily regulated, which brings more levels of complexity into the projects. For example, everything has to be cleanable and fully drainable so it fulfills the highest quality and safety standards.

That’s it, but overall, it’s not that hard. It’s just that you need to think about a lot of things at the same time, and they all have to be in sync.

When it comes to international safety standards, how do you monitor the processes and make sure guidelines are being followed to produce top-notch quality?

Global safety standards essentially provide us with a methodology or formula that needs to be followed. So basically, we put this into our template so our engineers can select the case that is required for any particular situation. And of course, every variable is checked to ensure that the deliverable is being made properly and according to standards. In fact, the correctness of calculations is secured by two layers of approval that ensure each solution is designed in line with the bigger picture that has to be maintained.

Process safety is never a one-man show. Throughout all of our projects, we perform several safety assessments in which we identify risks and perform validation of existing safety measures by various “what if” scenarios. At the end, there is a solution that is mutually accepted by a council of engineers who are working on the project — including from Archetype and the client. These engineers come from various disciplines and collaborate to ensure a solution that is “bulletproof.”

We hear a lot about Industry 4.0. How are you using new technology in your daily tasks?

Industry 4.0 and the digitalization of almost everything are things we have been doing here for quite some time, but implementing them in our day-to-day tasks is a bit of a challenge. It’s best to take advantage of the advancements now as they make everything faster and easier — plus we get to be more efficient without compromising the end result of our job.

However, when introducing something new, we also have to consider our clients and, of course, the people we closely work with.

Working with some of the most demanding and compliance-minded companies for Archetype Group’s industrial clients, you are constantly exposed to new trends and prospects. What will be the next big thing, and how do you see your job changing?

In Europe, the trend is to achieve energy independence and a zero-carbon footprint, and these particular goals have rigid milestones that are driving changes throughout numerous industries. So what I see, in particular, is a booming industry ingreen hydrogen, which will support demand for renewable energy and in turn its continuous cost reduction. Right now, Australia and China are two countries that are pushing.  for projects using green hydrogen. Perhaps other countries in Asia will follow this trend in the near future.

As for the food consumer group, I believe the use of plant-based products will accelerate.

As you are based in Thailand, you have a group responsibility for Archetype Group, which means being involved in a multicultural and multi-market work environment. What are the main challenges for you with this role?

As an expat in Thailand, one of the biggest challenges is the cultural differences. However, I’ve been in the country for a long time now, and our clients are used to working with international companies, so it’s not that hard anymore. In addition, within Archetype Group, we have multinational teams working on a project together, so it’s nothing new to me.

The great thing about this is I understand the culture here, and when we have to deal with other working teams in a different location, I get to be a mitigator and liaise with their concerns.

In your opinion, what are the main skills required to be a good professional like you?

It took time and hard work to be in the position that I’m in now. It actually took a lot of time, as well as determination to go on and an ability to understand the bigger picture. So for me, I would advise the younger generation to have goals in mind and do their best in every activity they do. However, I’d like to emphasize that it doesn’t happen overnight.

Moreover, it’s important to listen. Listen to people who have experience in the field that you want to get in, and then you can find value in what they do and say. One should also learn how to communicate the questions they have in mind and politely raise them to the expert they’re with.

I believe that if a person wants to grow, they shouldn’t stay in the same discipline forever. They have to venture out, be open and absorb as much information as they can. That’s a smart way to expand your capabilities and handle greater projects in the future.