Karl Wyseur is an on-site mechanical designer at Bekaert, where he’s been working since August 2022 through Verhaert On-site Consulting. With 25 years of experience in the industrial sector, including previous roles at Volvo and Vandewiele, he knows his way around complex machinery. Right now, he’s focused on designing and installing process lines for belt production at the Aalter plant. Whether the machines are bought, built in-house or custom-designed, Karl makes sure everything fits together and runs safely and smoothly.
What made you choose the path of consultancy after working at Vandewiele for so long?
After working at Vandewiele for 22 years, I felt it was time for a change. Staying at one place that long meant I gradually ended up doing a lot of non-mechanical work, and I missed the technical side of things. I was looking for more variety—different projects, different businesses, and fresh challenges. Consultancy felt like the right step to push me out of my comfort zone. I was a bit worried it might take a while before I could really add value in a new environment, but that turned out not to be an issue at all.
What are some of the biggest shifts you’ve seen in the industry over the last 25 years?
About 25 years ago, machines were mostly purely mechanical, and there was a lot more manual labor involved. Since then, the integration of electrical components and automation has transformed the industry completely. Working closely with different teams is essential because everything is so interconnected. For example, if the mechanical design team doesn’t account for space and securement of cables for the electrical team, it might require a complete design overhaul later. There’s also been a huge rise in digitalization: Logging systems and knowledge sharing have improved a lot. Together with more internationalization, it’s much easier to connect and collaborate with teams across different locations, especially with tools like Google Meet and Teams, which are now indispensable. Overall, you can do so much more with fewer resources!
What strategies have you found effective when communicating complex engineering ideas to non-technical stakeholders?
It depends a bit on the person’s role, but I always try to explain what outcome they can expect from a project, along with an estimate of the time and cost involved. I also highlight potential risks—things don’t always go as planned, so I often use phrases like “there’s a chance that…” to set realistic expectations. It’s not always clear what people already know, but you can usually tell by their feedback or lack thereof.
What advice would you give to young engineers starting out today?
My first piece of advice is to try out your ideas by actually doing them and then discussing what you’ve learned with others. There’s really no such thing as an inventor who comes up with brilliant ideas all on their own. There’s less room and time to develop things on your own, so collaboration is key. Working with others also means you don’t have to carry the whole load yourself, and you can benefit from different perspectives.
Next, spend time with the mechanics who assemble your designs. Being on the ground with them teaches you so much because they’re working directly with the machines every day and appreciate when you take an interest in their work. This hands-on approach not only helps you gather valuable insights but also builds better relationships and smoother communication.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes them, especially when you’re learning and trying new things. Mistakes are part of the process and an opportunity to improve.