Group of young graduates sets up production unit in Senegal

The young graduates started the project in October 2021. The team consists of Bertrand Vanderschueren, Kaat Leemans, Alain Zheng, Hadrien Delatte, Karla Rivera and Thomas Laureijs. What makes the project group so diverse are the different backgrounds in bio(medical) sciences, aerospace and mechanical engineering. Bertrand: "It's great fun to work with colleagues from different disciplines. You learn a lot from each other and get different insights because you all look at the project from a different point of view."

Scaling up production capacity

First of all, a production unit had to be set up to produce more dried mangoes. "To do this, we had to work on the layout of the site first: where will the mangoes be cut, dried and packed? Where should the machines be located? Or, also important: what equipment should be ordered? In addition, we had to consider the energy aspect and its possibilities," Bertrand explains.

To ensure the quality of the production process, the team designed several manuals. This allows local engineers to solve future problems when the team from TMC is out of the picture. Part of the project team worked on a quality manual around machine requirements such as temperature and humidity. They also created an HACCP manual specifying food safety requirements.

Turning theory into practice

At the end of the project, the team went to Senegal to set everything up and train the local workers. Bertrand: "This trip was a great way to finish the project. We set up the production unit and got the machines up and running. We gave several workshops to the engineers, but also to the 50 women who process the mangoes. They are now all aware of how to ensure quality and hygiene. The project was very challenging and insightful. It is above all great to contribute to society."

The Young Graduate Program

In the young graduate program of TMC Belgium, recent graduates get the chance to develop themselves quickly in one year. They have a fixed project with a customer, but also work on an external project in a multidisciplinary team with four or five other young graduates. Throughout this year, the young graduates receive training every four to six weeks and are assisted a coach who has extensive experience in engineering. Would you also like to kick-start your career with the young graduate program? Then get in touch with us!