Dany
Brown
...a happy night owl in his role at Agropur.
This year, Dany Brown is celebrating 12 years of service at Agropur, but at the same time, he is commemorating another important milestone: 10 years on the night shift at the Oka cheese factory.
His night shift role is important, as many of the plant's employees start there before moving on to a daytime position. Night owls like Dany provide their training. "I like to integrate newcomers into the workplace and set an example to follow," explains Dany, who has no difficulties with his sleeping patterns. “I sleep well. I love my role and I have no trouble working night shifts.”
A key feature of work on the night shift is mutual aid, regardless of the department. "As there are fewer of us in the plant, if a department is in trouble, we will always try to do what we can to help. There's a great harmony between the teams."
As Manufacturing Operator 2, the position most responsible for the automated line, Dany handles molding and demolding each of the varieties of cheese made at the Oka plant, located in the Lower Laurentians in Québec. He manages the manufacturing line and intervenes when problems arise. It’s his favorite part of the job. "I like to rack my brain to figure out where the problems are coming from. It's very rare that I can't find the source of a problem in manufacturing."
‘Everyone wants a Dany on their team’
Another of Dany’s favorite aspects of the job is the fun relationship he has with his colleagues. "I love to laugh and make people laugh. Having fun at work is important to me," he says.
And his colleagues appreciate this side of his personality as well as his serious nature, which he applies to his duties. "Dany is a dedicated, responsible employee who is always ready to help his colleagues and train the next generation," explains Simon Brunet, Director of Operations and Maintenance for the Fine Cheese Business Unit in Oka. He has an exemplary attitude and everyone wants a Dany in their team."
The Oka plant at
a glance:
- 110 employees
- 652,520 square feet of production, warehouse, office, service and maintenance space
- 30 million litres of milk processed per year
- Preparation of OKA, Monsieur Gustav cheeses and cheeses from the Agropur Signature line: L'Extra, Champfleury, Grand Cheddar and Notre-Dame, among others
Well in His Place Surrounded by His Colleagues
For the 33-year-old operator, his efforts at Agropur correspond well to his needs and his vision of what work should entail. In his previous role, Dany was a numerical control machinist for another company, a position that did not stimulate him.
"Working alone all day long is not for me. When you think about your weekend on Monday, that's a long time. At Agropur, I work in a team and I can have the social side that I missed before," Dany explained, noting he also appreciates the contact with his machine, which he didn't have in his previous job. "I'm totally confident in my abilities and feeling in control of my machine makes me happy. I feel respected in what I do at the factory."
A Great Sportsman in His Spare Time
A great sports enthusiast, Dany spends his free time golfing and playing tennis in the summer and skiing in the winter. He also works out at home and loves to engage in outdoor activities with his dog Spooky, a 2-year-old female Labrador. "I take her everywhere, whether it's hiking, canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding," he says. “Being in nature makes me happy. It's a feeling of freedom to be at the top of the mountains. I love getting off the hook, enjoying life and being able to stay in shape."
