What is your role in the company and what do you specifically do?
My name is Valeria Di Francesco, I’m 37 years old, and I’ve been working in the Service department office of the company for about seven years. I handle the overhaul of mechanical seals essentially the entire process: from registering the arrival of faulty goods, managing spare parts, preparing the offer for the customer, and finally entering the order. I’m constantly in contact with colleagues in the workshop because it’s essential to have direct communication to understand the actual condition of the seal and decide together how to proceed.
It’s a dynamic job that requires attention to detail, organization, and teamwork.
What was your first day at work like? Do you remember any particular anecdotes?
My first day was a very special moment: I was coming back from my second maternity leave, which already brought a lot of emotions. On top of that, I was stepping into the mechanical engineering world for the first time a completely new field for me. I was honestly a bit scared because I knew I was entering a technical environment, full of dynamics I didn’t yet understand. But at the same time, I was very determined to start fresh. What struck me immediately was how helpful everyone was: there were people who helped me understand what a mechanical seal was, others who patiently explained things to me over and over, and some who made me feel welcome from the very beginning. That was the starting point for building what today is my role.
Which company values do you feel most connected to?
Definitely collaboration, precision, and trust. Working in the Service department, I know how important it is to work together as a team: every colleague, whether in the office or in the workshop, plays a crucial role, and constant communication is essential. Precision is another value I deeply share: every overhaul and every service requires attention to detail to ensure everything works perfectly.And finally, trust is fundamental both with customers and colleagues because it’s the foundation for building strong, lasting relationships that truly make a difference in every project.
How did you handle a difficult situation?
Once, we received an urgent request for an overhaul, but the timeline was extremely tight and the spare parts weren’t immediately available. I quickly coordinated with the workshop colleagues to assess the actual damage of the seal and, in the meantime, contacted suppliers to speed up the procurement process.
By carefully coordinating each step and keeping the customer transparently updated, we managed to handle the urgency without delays. In these cases, teamwork really makes a difference. What I love most about my job is that it’s never the same: as my boss says, the Service department is a colorful place every overhaul is different, every seal has its own “story.” It’s a technical job, but also very relational, because you’re in contact with colleagues, the workshop, and clients. It keeps you mentally active and gives you great satisfaction when you solve a problem efficiently.
Is there a passion or hobby you find useful in your work?
I love outdoor activities: whether it’s walking, cycling, or simply being in nature, it helps me clear my mind and recharge. This passion also benefits my work: it’s taught me perseverance, how to handle effort, and how to stay focused even on demanding days. If I had to compare my job to something or someone in my life, I’d definitely say it’s very similar to my family: just like at work, as a good mother I always try to listen, collaborate, and find solutions together. We do the same in the office sometimes we joke, but in the end, we all row in the same direction. The Service department is like a small, close-knit team: everyone has their role, but the result only comes through everyone’s contribution.
