World Traveler: Using Global Adventures to Bridge Cultural Gaps and Enhance Connections

Igor’s happy family time

The SpinDrive team has been growing rapidly, and it’s thrilling to get to know the new members and hear their stories about their journey to join SpinDrive. In this new story, we are excited to introduce our Service Manager, Igor Tabachnikov.

Igor has spent much of his professional life traveling extensively for customer projects during his career, developing a keen eye for the hidden beauty in each city he visits. With a camera always in hand, he captures and shares these stunning moments on social media platforms allowing others to experience the charm of diverse locales through his lens.

Igor’s summertime sailing adventure

Igor’s summertime sailing adventure

Wings of Independence: Igor’s Upbringing

From a young age, Igor’s parents taught him independence and responsibility, taking him on trips to remote and challenging places. These experiences fostered his perseverance and strong work ethic. At the age of 16, after graduating high school, Igor moved to a new city alone to continue his university education.

“It was a truly wonderful experience, and I deeply appreciate my parents for believing in me. They always supported my desires and wishes, never saying no to what I wanted to pursue.” Igor added.

The Magnetic Attraction of Curiosity

“My journey began at the university, where I studied automation process control. There, I discovered active magnetic bearings (AMBs) during a visit to a gas plant. Intrigued by their ability to suspend turbo expanders without friction, I immersed myself in learning about this technology.

My curiosity caught the attention of a field service engineer, who admired my relentless quest for knowledge. In 2013, I joined a company specializing in AMBs, where I fine-tuned algorithms and explored the intricacies of electromagnetic forces.

Curiosity led me to this field, driving me to uncover the secrets of AMBs. This journey not only expanded my technical expertise but also underscored the importance of curiosity in pushing the boundaries of engineering and humanity. May this story inspire you to pursue the unknown and find your purpose in the dance of discovery.” Igor recalled.

Igor’s team completed commissioning for SpinDrive AMB project at a customer’s site

Igor’s team completed commissioning for SpinDrive AMB project at a customer’s site

Bridging Horizons: Igor’s Global Quest

Embracing different cultures with an open mind, Igor is passionate about exchanging language learning with friends and colleagues from various countries. His journeys are not just about exploring new places but also about connecting with people and learning from their unique perspectives.

“I love traveling to experience different cultures and truly immerse myself into them, to understand how local people live and appreciate the cultural differences. I’ve seen a lot, and these experiences have given me a broader perspective on the world. Despite surface-level differences between cultures and countries, I’ve learned that, fundamentally, people want to be healthy, care for their families, and live in peace.

Recognizing these commonalities helps me to understand the world better and react more efficiently in challenging situations. Knowing the cultural backgrounds of others allows me to be more flexible when interacting with customers. For instance, living among Middle East has taught me about their customs, and traveling to Asia has given me insights into their unique worldview. These experiences help me relate to people from diverse backgrounds.

This multicultural understanding is essential in my line of work, where building relationships with clients and supplying products globally requires a deep appreciation of different cultures. It helps me connect with people, no matter where they come from, and enhances my ability to serve a diverse clientele effectively.” Igor explained.

SpinDrive commissioning at the customer’s site

SpinDrive commissioning at the customer’s site

Harmonizing Work and Life

“One of my favourite ways to balance work and life is to take my family out into nature after a busy day. We often go for walks in the forest, and recently, we’ve been spending time by the lakeside since I bought a small boat. With the boat, we’ve been exploring the summer islands, discovering new places together.

About three weeks ago, we found a bird’s nest with one egg in it. We wondered if it was too late in the season for eggs or if the egg might not hatch. We started visiting the nest regularly to keep an eye on it. To our surprise, two weeks ago, there were already three eggs in the nest. My daughter has been eagerly asking when we can go back to see if the baby birds have hatched yet or if there are more eggs.” Says Igor.

“Watching nature up close like this is incredibly rewarding. Observing the changes, seeing flowers bloom, and birds build nests and lay eggs, then watching the eggs hatch, reminds us that life goes on its own beautiful way. It’s a wonderful process to witness and helps us appreciate the simple joys amidst our busy lives.

Additionally, I enjoy staying active during my free time. I run six kilometres a few times each week and have discovered some beautiful paths along the lakeside. I love running through the forest, where I can complete my entire route without encountering any people, just charming animals like dogs, rabbits, and foxes. It’s a peaceful and refreshing way to stay fit and connect with nature.” Igor continued.

Igor’s happy family time

Igor’s happy family time

Innovate with SpinDrive

“Choosing SpinDrive is not coincident. After working with active magnetic bearings for seven years, my interest in active magnetic bearing (AMB) technology remained strong because I believe it represents the future. However, it hasn’t reached its full potential yet due to limited applications and high costs. When I discovered SpinDrive and their goal to make AMB technology affordable and accessible, I was immediately intrigued. This mission motivated me to learn more about the company.” Igor told.

Then he continued, “As I researched, I saw the promising potential for the future and decided it was time to return to AMBs after my break. I felt that a growing company like SpinDrive would be a great fit for me, and I could contribute significantly by sharing my experience and knowledge during the development and service stages.”

What makes SpinDrive’s workplace unique?

“What drew me to SpinDrive was the company’s vision and mission. Unlike large corporations with rigid procedures and bureaucratic limitations, SpinDrive feels flexible and dynamic, enabling us to achieve exceptional quality.

The team here is fantastic. Everyone is open-minded and driven, which makes daily interactions enjoyable and fulfilling. The technical expertise and ambitious goals of my colleagues are truly inspiring. Instead of getting bogged down by bureaucracy, we focus on clear objectives and work collaboratively to reach them.

This environment fosters motivation and encourages everyone to put in their best effort. I find it incredibly rewarding to be part of such a supportive and goal-oriented team.” Igor concluded.

Meifang Xu portrait

Author: Meifang Xu

Interested in reading other employee stories?

Story of Matti Hallivuori

Story of Tuukka Nurminen

Story of Artem Raspopov

Story of Krister Gräsbeck