Passing on the passion for paper ...
Meet Rudko Valluš, our retiree from Mondi SCP whose passion for paper production is still supporting the education of next generations.
Rudko, you have worked at Mondi for 44 years. This is impressive! Can you share with us some highlights of such an extensive career?
I joined the company after completing my basic military service. Back then Mondi SCP (or how it was originally called before becoming part of Mondi: “Severoslovenské Celulózky a Papierne – SCP”) was recruiting a production supervisor on the paper machine number 16. I applied and got the job. The whole mill was in a process of enlarging the production and capacities and when later the Pulp mill was finalized, I changed to the fiber line technology team.
After launching the "Eight" (today's Paper Machine number 18 – PM 18) I was excited to change again my role and moved to the division of paper production. When the operation of PM 18 was already at guaranteed capacity, the annual production reached around 120 thousand tons of paper per year. This is really a lot of paper! It was very impressive to see such a big production, but moreover, to be an active part of it. This machine was able to make various types of paper. At this stage we started to cooperate with international sales companies to provide our paper outside of Slovakia as well.
Was that the start of many business trips outside Slovakia?
Yes, one sales company in Germany consisted of paper sellers responsible for individual countries in Europe and one technician from our mill. I was the lucky one again and travelled to Germany from 1995 to 1997. My responsibility was mostly to give technical advice, propose solutions and solve problems between producers and customers. Those were great times and a great learning in terms of expertise, but it also required some hard times of studying. But it would not have been possible without strong support from my former superiors, the training department and my family.
Is there one specific situation from your time at Mondi, which you´ll surely never forget?
There are many situations, for example I remember the so-called „opasérka“. The colleague who used to stand next to the Paper Machine and control if the wet section of the paper machine runs smoothly. She signaled a break in the paper path and possible problems with a whistle on her neck. Can you imagine that? No control rooms were existing back then. Technology incredibly modernized and automated our processes and workplace. While in the past the machine went at a speed of 100 meters per minute, now it is even 1,600 meters.
Even after your retirement you continue to work with the students at the Polytechnic High School and you lead the mill tours in Mondi SCP. What is your motivation in continuing your journey with paper and Mondi SCP?
I feel it as a mission, a hobby and something that keeps me in a good shape. Of course, I also do sports and simply enjoy my free time, but I just enjoy sharing my knowledge with students who are also interested in paper and its complexity.
The same applies for my engagement with the students in practice of the Polytechnic High School. Here it is even more important that the instructors in the cooperating mills, such as Mondi SCP, must be really involved in this and build up a good connection with the students. Young students from today have great perspectives and all the means to become excellent technicians, but they just have to want it themselves. Motivation and passion are the key. At the same time, it is also important that they find a role model that can help guide them in their career. I´m really happy to see how the cooperation between Mondi and the schools have intensified and support this important practical learning.
Finally, I also appreciate my cooperation with the museum of handmade paper production in Ludrova under the leadership of Juraj Tóth. We are both grateful that we have this opportunity to share our knowledge and experience with the next generations and visitors as well. We are always excited if we can spark interest or even passion.
“RudkoSo it all comes to passion for something and for me it is definitely paper!