From Czech Republic to Mexico: How a CNC Setter Became a “Global Citizen” at ALBAform

To be honest, I didn’t move for work. I moved for freedom. I had grown frustrated with the direction Europe was taking: excessive regulation, high taxes, increasingly left-leaning politics, and a society divided into two irreconcilable camps. Add to that environmental fanaticism and a war just around the corner.

Building a new home in Latin America had been a long-term plan. Ending up in Mexico was more a coincidence. At the time I wanted to make use of my Spanish skills, ALBAform was looking for someone for its newly established plant in Mexico. I saw it as an opportunity to finally become the “global citizen” I had always wanted to be.

On one hand, I focus on the technical side of production: programming and setting up machines, optimizing manufacturing processes, and introducing new products into production. For new projects, I also collaborate with colleagues on estimating hourly output, preparing new tooling, identifying machine limitations, and proposing design adjustments.

On the other hand, I train staff to operate machines and to follow the entire production chain: from raw material to the final, properly packaged and documented product.

My role has evolved quite dynamically as production has expanded. We started with just three people and two machines. Today, we operate seven bending machines and a welding robot in a three-shift system, with around 30 employees, and we’re still growing. As the team expanded, colleagues took over areas like warehousing, purchasing, sales, and quality control, allowing me to focus more on production and optimization, where my strengths lie.

In my first year, I went back to the Czech Republic for Christmas, but flights in December are expensive and often canceled due to weather. Now I prefer traveling in the summer, this year will be my third trip.

As for work, I spent a week in the U.S. for training after joining the company, and I recently went on a business trip within Mexico. Given our global footprint, opportunities to travel do come up.

We have a young, agile team that can respond quickly to client needs, along with robust training and quality control systems that ensure consistently high-quality output. Our production capacity is expanding rapidly, making us a reliable long-term partner.

Another major advantage is our presence on three continents. This allows us to optimize logistics and tariffs, and if production issues arise, we can temporarily shift part of the production elsewhere at lower cost than outsourcing to competitors.

I don’t have extensive direct comparison with similar companies, as I’ve worked in quite different segments of mechanical engineering, mostly custom and small-batch production, which differs significantly from mass production for large automotive corporations.

However, I had the opportunity to observe a Mexican company in a similar field, and both program efficiency and workforce productivity were noticeably lower than ours. Increasing productivity is something we continuously strive for.

Honestly, I haven’t met a Mexican with the same background. For one thing, I don’t have a university degree, just a vocational certificate in metal machining and a follow-up diploma. Most of my Mexican colleagues have engineering degrees.

What I do have is 15 years of hands-on experience with a wide range of CNC machines. The Czech Republic has a long industrial tradition, and I had the chance to learn from highly experienced professionals. I spent most of my life in Kladno, where engineering expertise is very concentrated.

In Mexico, that tradition is still developing. Querétaro used to be primarily an agricultural region and has only recently become an industrial hub. While there are technical universities, the lack of long-standing industrial heritage means many workers are young graduates, well-prepared in theory but lacking practical experience.

Yes, I use Spanish daily at work and at home. I also speak English, mainly during meetings with Czech and American colleagues, where English serves as the common language between our branches.

I work with Mexicans every day. Apart from a colleague in administration, I’m the only Czech at the branch. With colleagues in the Czech Republic, I mainly coordinate long-term matters like machinery or new projects.

I wouldn’t say there’s a fundamental difference between working in the Czech Republic and Mexico, rather, many small differences that create a slightly different overall picture. Mexicans work very hard, but they’re less fixated on work. They also change jobs more frequently, especially in lower-skilled roles.

One thing I had to get used to: it’s not standard to have showers at the workplace here.

At the moment, the Czech Republic doesn’t offer me much, even politically. I’m happy where I am. If I ever leave Mexico, I’d probably head to South America, the U.S., or Asia, somewhere that’s geared toward growth, not somewhere shutting down functioning power plants and penalizing people with carbon taxes.

First and foremost, my partner. Then freedom, which I didn’t feel I had back in the Czech Republic, and essentially free immersion in Spanish.

As an expat, I feel like part of global society, not just a small Central European nation few people understand. I no longer feel limited by borders. I’ve become a kind of global opportunist, able to choose the best place to live not just within the Czech Republic, but anywhere in the world.

Looking for a reliable manufacturing partner with global reach?
Get in touch with us and discover how ALBAform can help you optimize production, reduce costs, and respond flexibly to your needs. We’ll be happy to discuss concrete opportunities for collaboration.

Interested in working abroad and being part of an international team?
Join ALBAform in Mexico and grow your experience in a dynamic manufacturing environment. We’re looking for skilled, motivated people who aren’t afraid of challenges and want to grow. Get in touch, this opportunity might be for you.