Thomas Kraus has been working on FACC Airbus projects in Abu Dhabi since 2011. He is just one of many high fliers at FACC. Alongside working at the company, Thomas, born in the Austrian province of Carinthia, has recently become a successful forward for the AL AIN Vipers ice hockey team in the desert emirate. Although not quite Sochi, this still gives him the chance to scale his own personal Mount Olympus.
As an employer, FACC AG believes only the sky is the limit for its staff. And Thomas is just one of the employees who confirms this belief. "Anyone wanting to advance their career is given the best opportunities at FACC," says the Abu Dhabi-based aviation expert. In his role as project manager, he coordinates FACC projects with FACC's partner STRATA on the Arabian Peninsular. "I always wanted to experience different countries. FACC has given me the chance to fulfill this dream," says Thomas. His duties include production projects for the Airbus A330 and for the world's largest serial manufactured passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380. Thomas has been working at FACC AG for a total of eleven years. He started out as an engineer and has continuously enhanced his skills and knowledge. Before his successful stints abroad, he completed a four-year course alongside his work and served customers in the USA, Canada and Russia. Thomas also feels proud of his work when traveling: "Whenever I fly to Dubai in an A380 and recognize our components in the aircraft, it provides impressive confirmation of our excellent work." He describes the success of FACC as both a company and employer as an interaction between several factors: "Our experience, our competence in solving big challenges, and our pervasive team spirit create a fertile ground for success. This is something that our customers really value, as they keep telling me in meetings. The reward for the dedication of all FACC employees is the long-lasting trust that the customers have in our company." Thomas rarely gets homesick. The only things missing in the United Arab Emirates are the mountains and lakes. But this doesn't mean he's had to give up one of his favorite hobbies, ice hockey.
In the true style of an athletic Carinthian, he now visits the ice rink for hockey training. Thomas can thereby enjoy a small piece of home in the middle of the desert. His team, the AL AIN VIPERS, consists exclusively of expats. The Carinthian forward's team mates include players from Canada, Finland and the USA. The ice hockey experts put their skills to the test in tournaments. However, due to the desert climate, tournaments are only held in winter. "With outdoor temperatures reaching 120 degrees in summer, the ice quickly disappears, even in a fully air-conditioned hall," explains Thomas. When he isn't playing ice hockey, he enjoys long diving excursions in the Arabian Sea. The FACC expert's leisure program also includes barbecue nights and day-trips with other local FACC specialists and his new circle of friends in Abu Dhabi. When he eventually leaves the United Arab Emirates, he would like to continue climbing the career ladder at FACC in Austria. This will finally give him the opportunity to resume a hobby that he doesn't get to enjoy in Abu Dhabi: mountaineering.
About FACC
FACC AG is one of the world’s leading companies in the design, development and production of advanced fiber reinforced composite components and systems for the aviation industry. Their range of products ranges from structural components for the fuselage and wings to engine components and complete passenger cabins for commercial aircraft, business jets and helicopters. FACC is a supplier to all large aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Sukhoi, and COMAC, as well as for engine manufacturers and subcontractors to the aircraft manufacturers.
In the 2012/13 business year FACC achieved an annual turnover of 433.9 million euros. The company employs a staff of around 2,400 employees in Austria. More information is available at www.facc.com.
For any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact:
Anja Bichlbauer
Project Manager Communications
Fischerstraße 9
4910 Ried im Innkreis, Austria
Phone: 43 59 616-1137
Email: a.bichlbauer@facc.com