Around the Globe on Assignment

Projects always begin at Pilatusstrasse in Lucerne – and the same is true for the DOBAS assembly team. Here, Aldo Lagler, who oversees assembly operations for DOBAS, holds initial meetings with the project managers and planners involved. Together, they go through each detail step by step, discuss all aspects, and address any questions. The goal is for everything to run smoothly during assembly and for the plans to be brought to life with the utmost precision.

Thorough preparation

How many assemblers are needed at a specific time and whether additional local support is required are decisions made by DOBAS CEO Patrick Buchecker and his deputy Stefan Baumeler in consultation with lead assembler Aldo. Stefan Baumeler also coordinates the assembly schedule to avoid overlaps or downtime. The detailed deployment plan is then prepared by Aldo Lagler. The 54-year-old also takes care of booking flights and, in most cases, accommodation for his team.

When the DOBAS assembly team arrives on-site, a large toolbox is already waiting for them. This toolbox is shipped in advance in containers from the production facility to the project location, while hand tools and lasers travel with the team. Upon arrival, the floor and ceiling are usually already prepared. A WhatsApp group is also set up by this point, as project communication during assembly primarily takes place through this channel.

Experience and empathy

Despite meticulous preparation, some situations during assembly require improvisation. Analytical skills and expertise are essential to finding on-the-spot solutions with the resources available. In such cases, Aldo Lagler draws on his extensive experience – he first went on an international assembly mission in 1993 and has been supporting DOBAS since its founding in 2006.

In addition to expertise and tools, openness and curiosity are key components of the assembly team’s toolkit. Respect and empathy are equally indispensable, as projects are not always executed in familiar cultural settings. A love for travel is also a standard requirement, as the team spends up to 11 months a year on the road. However, 2020 is an exception due to the pandemic. After several weeks of inactivity, the DOBAS assembly team resumed operations in mid-June. The first destination post-lockdown: Cyprus.