40 Years. 40 Faces. | Philippe, Mold Setter

“When I joined GPR, I never thought I would become a mold setter.”

After 24 years at Plastiques GPR, Philippe is one of those employees who has grown alongside the company.

When he joined in 2002, he never imagined that his career path would eventually lead him to become a mold setter. At the time, he was working as an operator. Over the years, he held several positions, developed new skills, and took advantage of the opportunities that came his way.

"It happened gradually."

His journey led him to work in various roles throughout the plant, including operator, grinder, forklift driver, and technical operator. Each experience helped him deepen his understanding of the equipment, manufacturing processes, and the overall production environment.

Today, as a mold setter, he plays a key role during production changeovers. When the manufacturing of one product is complete, he removes the mold from the machine and prepares the installation of the next one so production can resume quickly and safely.

"I install the mold, the water lines, the heating system, and all the related equipment so the next production run can start."

Simply put, his job is to make sure everything is in place to allow the next production run to begin.

Behind that task, however, lies a long list of steps that require precision and attention to detail. Cleaning equipment, making connections, adjustments, safety checks, and preparing the presses are all part of his daily routine.

According to Philippe, no two days are ever quite the same.

"Every mold is different."

Some changeovers can be completed relatively quickly, while others may require several hours of preparation depending on the size and complexity of the mold. In fact, this variety is one of the aspects he enjoys most about his work.

For someone who enjoys learning and taking on new challenges, this diversity makes the job particularly rewarding.

When asked what qualities are essential to succeed in his role, he quickly mentions independence, listening skills, and observation.

Even the smallest detail can have an impact on the smooth operation of production. You need to take the time to observe, understand, and verify. Patience is also essential.

Over the years, Philippe has developed strong expertise that enables him to perform his work efficiently while helping ensure that production changeovers run as smoothly as possible.

His role supports the entire operation because, by setting up the molds, he allows the setup technicians to focus more on molding issues and production start-ups, helping improve overall operational efficiency.

This specialization has also given him an in-depth understanding of the equipment and processes used daily throughout the plant.

When asked what makes him proud to work at GPR, Philippe immediately thinks of the products manufactured here that he encounters in everyday life.

"Sometimes it's nice to see the parts we make out in the real world."

Knowing that he has contributed, in his own way, to the production of products used in many different environments gives him a genuine sense of satisfaction. But his greatest source of pride is probably the journey itself.

After holding several positions over the years, he continues to learn and grow today. He is currently participating in internal training as a backup setup technician, which could eventually lead to new responsibilities.

"Just like with mold setting, I never thought I would become a backup setup technician."

"Now I'm really learning how the machines work."

That statement perfectly sums up his journey: steady progress built step by step through experience, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

When asked to describe his job in just a few words, his answer is simple but revealing.

"It's enjoyable to work at GPR."

After more than two decades with GPR, Philippe continues to approach his work with the same dedication and professionalism. And even though his role often takes place behind the scenes, every mold he installs helps get the machines running again and enables the teams to produce the products that will eventually be delivered to customers.