passionate professional profile A passion for stainless steel

Bertie Blom, is an excellent example of a new generation of stainless steel professionals who are set to take the industry to greater heights. Armed with an unwavering passion for stainless steel, Bertie is on a relentless quest to become a driving force in shaping and growing strategic customer relationships as a Sales Representative at Macsteel VRN Gauteng…

I grew up in Elspark, a suburb of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, where I attended Elspark Technical High School. During my schooling, I discovered my passion for technical drawing and design, excelling in the subject. After matriculating in 2010, I pursued my interest by enrolling at the African Academy to study draughting.

At the Academy, I successfully completed my Diploma in Structural Detailing. To gain practical industry experience, I applied for a learner position at Macsteel Service Centres SA (MSCSA), where I was offered a permanent position as Trainee Draughtsman. Over the past 11 years at MSCSA, I have held various roles within the company, ranging from draughtsperson to CNC operator, CNC Laser programmer, and production manager across different business units.

In 2019, I moved to our Macsteel VRN Gauteng division, taking up the position of sales representative. This opportunity allows me to utilise my technical expertise and experience in a customer-faced role. I am proud of my journey, starting from my education in draughting, gaining practical experience at Macsteel, and now contributing to the success of Macsteel VRN.

What are some of the key work experiences or projects to date, that you have worked on that have challenged you but also helped to shape your skills, experience, and career advancement?

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work on several challenging projects that have significantly refined my existing skill set, shaped my experience, and provided me with a wealth of knowledge that allowed me to advance in my career. A notable project was my involvement

A notable project was my involvement in a large-scale structural project for a major construction company…it presented numerous challenges, however, these pushed me to enhance my problem-solving abilities, time management skills, and level of communication in a large-scale structural project for a major construction company.

The project called for meticulous attention to detail and an understanding of structural engineering principles. I collaborated closely with engineers and construction teams to ensure the accuracy and feasibility of the designs.

The project presented numerous challenges, such as tight deadlines, evolving design requirements, and coordination with multiple stakeholders. However, these challenges pushed me to enhance my problem-solving abilities, time management skills, and effective communication.

Another significant experience was my transition to a production manager role within MSCSA. This role required me to oversee the production process, manage a team of operators and programmers, and ensure the efficient operation of the facility. A new and demanding responsibility tested my leadership skills and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.