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Jérémy Cuellar, 41, is an industrialisation technician in the chemicals department at the ACC Gigafactory in Billy-Berclau Douvrin. Armed with solid experience, Jérémy is at the heart of the process installation in the coating sector. Revealing himself (a little) is not in the habits of this very discreet man, who lends himself to the game of questions and answers.

Jérémy, what is your job at the Billy-Berclau Douvrin Gigafactory? 

I'm an industrialisation technician in the chemicals coating department. The aim of the job is to monitor and start up the installation. Today, a large proportion of the lines are already in production, so it's more a question of assisting production, helping or modifying line parameters - we're still in the learning phase.

How does your role change in series production?

I take part in everything to do with line tests, mask changes or line speed increases, which require changes to parameters. I'm currently working on this on the production lines. At the same time, starting this week, we're starting up the Cathode 3 line, so we've got all the ink circuit reassembly work to do.

What did you do before joining ACC?

I was also an industrialisation technician, but that was more of a project manager's job, I was more involved in choosing and monitoring suppliers, still in the automotive industry. I mainly started up factories abroad. In Mexico, China and Romania, with a suspension spring subcontractor. In May, I will have been with ACC for two years.

What kind of training did you have?

I've got a BEP MSMA, maintenance of automated mechanical systems, and we touched on a bit of everything: pneumatics, hydraulics, electricity, etc.

Why did you decide to join ACC?

At my previous employer, the start-up job was really pleasant, but I didn't feel I belonged there any more, because I was no longer listened to about my technical choices, etc. ACC came looking for me by offering me a new adventure, in a completely new field, which is electric cars. I really wanted a new challenge. In my previous company, I travelled a lot, it was really nice, you could see a lot of interesting things, but once you have children, it changes your life. I wanted to find a bit of stability again. I came to ACC not without fear, since I had twenty years' seniority in my previous company, and not without apprehension: a new medium, lots of new people, you go back on probation and in the end it went really well.

How do you see things since your arrival at ACC in May 2023?

There's been a lot of work done, and it's all gone very quickly, which is really impressive. We've worked really well with all the suppliers and everyone involved, and that's always really nice. I've been asked to do chemistry, but I don't know the first thing about it. I'm more of a mechanic myself. We're starting out in something completely new, so why not learn?

Outside ACC, do you have a hobby? A passion?

I have a hobby, anything to do with motorbikes, two-wheelers, I love it, I'm passionate about it. I try to go to Le Mans and watch the Grand Prix every year. I don't do as much mechanics as I used to. I was on the track for two years, and at the time I was the one tinkering with my bike.

We sometimes make the link between sport and work. Has your experience as a motorcyclist helped you in your job?

If there's a link between work and passion, it's that you always have to expect the unexpected and have to react quickly. That's what they both have in common. And the taste for a challenge is what keeps you going.

If you had to give one piece of advice to a young person following your career path, what would it be? 

You have to dare to do things. You have to go for it. Even today, after two years, when I do certain things, I'm not serene, when I have to change the parameters for example. If you don't do it, you don't know. You have to try. Now's the time to try, we're just getting started.

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