“Behind the bottle”: Portrait of Florent Courtin, our maintenance manager

Florent, how did you end up at Univitis?

I started out in a foundry specializing in the automotive industry, which hired me right after my A-levels. I spent three years there.

In 2006, 17 years ago, I applied for a position as an electromechanician at Univitis. Trained by the teams in place and the illustrious Jean-Claude Greil, I was given more and more responsibility through my involvement and quickly became assistant. I was promoted to maintenance manager in 2019.

What does your job involve? What are your main missions?

As maintenance manager, I manage a team of three technicians and a multi-skilled person in charge of green spaces.

My scope of action is wide, covering all sites (bottling plant, wine-making sites, various Univitis installations). I’m often out in the field helping them, solving the problems they encounter and working with them on production stoppages, various breakdowns, continuous improvements…

As Manager, I supervise all spare parts order management. I carry out technical studies, set up maintenance plans, and ensure that the site complies with regulations. I’m also in charge of getting new tools up and running – all with my team.

Thanks to all these different missions, you have to work with many different professions, don't you?

Exactly.

I’m lucky enough to be able to work with all Univitis departments, including the cellar teams, the bottling line, the quality department and the vineyard technicians, and I work closely with general management. With external partners, I’m in direct contact with all the professional trades (welder, carpenter, electrician, etc.). I play a central role, participating in everything.

What are the most rewarding aspects of your job as maintenance manager?

I like electricity, I like mechanics, in fact, I like everything about my job. I’m in this business because I love it.

Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve always had a passion for mechanics, and I’m lucky to have found a job that fulfils everything I wanted to do.

Above all, I like to be there for people. I’m always nearby, so when someone needs help or something, I come and do it; I participate.

As a manager, you have to lead a team. What's your relationship with your team?

I like being close to my team. It lets me know what kind of mood they’re in.

As we cover a lot of ground, there’s always something to do.

I try to get to know each person’s strengths and weaknesses, so I know which missions are best suited to them.

I’m a bit like the team’s dad, I listen to them and my door is always open if they need to talk to me. I take my role to heart.

What's your favorite wine from the cooperative winery?

Personally, I’m a white wine person. I like to serve it as an apéritif. Grand Théâtre White is my favorite.