Today, in the column I SHARE GGG HISTORY, we talked to long-term employee, controller packer Danguolė Bliujuvienė. Thank her for her loyalty to the company, responsible attitude and sincere performance.

You have been working in the factory since 2001. You grew and improved with the company. Tell us about your work path at GGG (AB Giraitės Ginkluotės Gamykla).

The start was difficult, but interesting at the same time. My work started from visual inspection, later evolved to packing. In order to perform visual inspection, we needed a lot of knowledge to accurately identify possible cartridge defects. We were a beginner in that area. Therefore, in case of doubt about the recognition of various cartridge defects, we would stop the work and thoroughly analyse the inconsistency together with the manager technologist and operator.
Over time, our knowledge, skills, and experience were accumulating. Nineteen years have passed since then. It leaves warm and beautiful memories.

In the company, cartridges are packed manually. Tell us about this process.

The assembled cartridges arrive at the packing line in boxes. They are poured into a feeder from which they are supplied to the visual control. After that, the cartridges are fed onto the conveyor. The conveyor has two levels. The cartridges move on the lower conveyor belt. The upper belt is used for laying the boxes already packed. 
The lower conveyor has opening gaps (the so-called gates). The packer fills the box with cartridges and passes it to a colleague. From this box, the cartridges are placed in cardboard boxes ready for the buyer. The boxes packed in this way are placed on the upper belt of the conveyor and sent for weight control. The worker who is responsible for it, weighs these boxes and places them in the external metal or cardboard boxes for transportation. Then, along the conveyor belt, these boxes travel to pallets. Pallets are wrapped, secured and taken to the warehouse.

Do you have stressful situations at work?

Yes, of course. But I try to be calm about everything. It usually works.

You make a lot of repetitive movements at work. Do you suffer from professional monotony? How do you detract from this?

We really face monotony. We have two rest breaks and a lunch break. During these, we communicate with colleagues, share impressions, exchange recipes for dishes. And sometimes you just want to sit quietly, calmly and get back to work after resting.

What do you think about an automatic packaging line? Should the company install it? What would be its advantages or, conversely, its disadvantages?

I find it difficult to answer about the installation of such a line. I think it would need accurate estimates. But let us imagine that such a line is installed. Over time, the equipment wears out, needs new investment, meanwhile, the hands of the packers work without damage or replacement of parts.

Depending on the customer's needs, GGG (AB Giraitės Ginkluotės Gamykla) can offer some packing options of cartridges for the military and civilian markets. What difficulties do you face? Tell us more. 

Yes, the company offers a variety of packaging options, with flexibility and attention to customer needs. We usually pack cartridges in cartons. Also, we perform linking and clipping operation of cartridges. All packaging methods require care and diligence, packing must be performed according to technical documentation. Linking and clipping ammunition also requires strength, and hands experience a considerable load. During clipping, the cartridges are pushed into the rails of a clip. Assembling 10 pc cartridges to a clip, the tabs in the front and end of the clip are folded at 90 degrees. Cartridges and links are assembled into the disintegrating link belt. 

All the packers currently working for the company are women. Why do you think men don’t apply for this job?

Yes, our packing team is female. Packer job is sedentary, it is not physically difficult, but requires attention, diligence, patience. Maybe that's why.

A woman and a loaded weapon. What associations this image evokes? Have you ever fired a gun? What were your feelings then?

Until a few years ago, it seemed to me that a woman and a gun was somewhat incompatible. But life goes on, and attitudes change. A woman with a gun is strong, confident, knowing what she wants.
I have shot at the target several times. An indescribable feeling set in. You just catch the excitement, want to repeat it over and over again. An exciting experience!

What are your hobbies? How do you spend your leisure?

Hobbies are different, everything in little bits. I enjoy reading, watching movies, knitting, sewing. I want to travel and having the opportunity to spend time in the countryside.

And finally, if you had to give a short message to a news portal describing the company's activities, how would it sound?

GGG  – exactly in the top ten!