Samu Kontturi is one of Dieta's electricians but the one and only shop steward at his workplace. His attitude is one of pride and happiness. We found out how this is supported by his job and his team. Samu sheds light on why Dieta kettles is a fun place to work.
Electric wires and advocacy
Samu ended up working for Dieta in 2011. Over the years, the job has developed into a varied one, and both the working atmosphere and culture have remained exemplary, as evidenced by many long-standing employment relationships.
Samu has his hands busy working with electrical wiring and testing, but he also manages to represent employees as a shop steward. He also spends a few hours monthly in team meetings with management highlighting employee input and expertise.
Dietatec encourages to develop ways of working
Dieta kettles are made to order, and Samu's work starts as soon as the customer's order arrives. Once the foreman has divided up the tasks, the electricians start preparing the kettles.
After the actual electrification of the kettles, they are involved in further testing to ensure that the kettles that leave the factory are free of defects and fully meet the customer's expectations. Dieta's quality standards seem to be ingrained in employees’ minds, ensuring that everybody in the team takes care of the customer.
Samu, just like almost everyone at Dieta's kettle unit, Dietatec, is inspired by problem-solving and R&D work in which everyone has the opportunity to participate. Samu talks about the tangible change that such a work culture enables:
A few years ago, I managed to improve the required pressure test. The test on the previous generation of kettles was cumbersome and demanded a lot of precision: the test had to be carried out inside a live electrical enclosure using two screwdrivers. If the test was successful, the safety valve opened.
I found a way to test the same feature more safely, quickly, and efficiently when testing was made possible by changing the wiring style from screwdrivers to programming.
He also recalls the development of the new Genier software, which not only improved on the old one but also created something unique.
The whole team develops dieta kettles
As a shop steward, Samu's role is to represent the employees at the Dietatec. He says the long-established cooperation with employees and management astonished everyone close to him. This is also why the steward and other employees hold the workplace in high esteem.
At Dietatec, there is an open dialogue, and the employees, with the steward at the helm, are involved in the company's development. Employees are also listened to on other issues relating to working conditions.
The company has a hierarchy, but it takes a back seat in day-to-day work. There is genuine respect for employees. The management understands the topics employees have the best answers and the most skills. Work is done together, and everyone is involved.
Technology enables features that make everyday life easier
Technical kettles with new features - but even electricians rely more on people than machines. Samu doesn't see technology being able to fix its mistakes. You always need a human to do it. And in an evolutionary company, everyone seems to understand that technology on its own doesn't do anything. It's just a tool to implement what people have created and designed.
But the great thing about technology is its evolution and the opportunities it brings. If it makes human activities more accessible and faster, why not use it in professional kitchens?
In the case of Dieta's kettles, significant advances were made in the design of existing kettles. Samu believes that automation will only increase in the future, and we are talking about remote management, among other things.
We are familiar with car fault codes, and I could see a similar function for kitchen equipment. Repairing potential faults will be faster and easier when the original cause is quickly identified. It is then easy to give instructions for a solution.
Quality without compromise
Professional pride often comes up when talking to the Dieta kettles team. Samu is one of many for whom it's essential to send the customer a product guaranteed to work, and when the need for a fix arises, the problem is found and then fixed.
And it doesn't stop there; if a problem is accidentally found in a kettle, it is brought to light and corrected. The customer can be assured that the kettle will be delivered faultless the first time and after the repair.
Free time is made up of music, whiskeys, and close friends
Samu has been happily married since 2020; naturally, his free time is spent with his spouse and friends. Music is important and has remained a hobby for over 20 years. Among friends, the hobby of whisky is still shared.
No need to change people and hobbies when you find the right ones.
Speaking of advantages technology brings to the table: Genier ACE & Added features for more value
Not forgetting human craftsmanship: Mari makes handmade kettles to be sent around the world
Development: Do you know the journey of Dieta kettles?
