Prior to joining the production team, Danylo had already gained experience in fast-paced environments, where he developed transferable skills that laid a strong foundation for his current role as assistant shift leader.
He started his career in hospitality, which sharpened his people skills, stress tolerance, and problem-solving capabilities. In his words, “there’s nothing like a full restaurant to teach you the value of multitasking”. His next career pivot was into sales, where he worked as a team leader and trainer, managing and motivating small teams whilst acquiring leadership and people management skills.
“While this path didn’t point directly to subsea technology, it laid a solid foundation in adaptability and resilience which serves me well in the fast-paced environment at Strohm”, he said. “Honestly, I didn’t plan to pursue a career in subsea technology, but once I joined the company I was hooked. It felt like an environment where I could thrive, learn and grow quickly if I showed initiative; and the mix of innovation, sustainability and hands on work with advanced materials caught my interest.”
One of Danylo’s proudest moments came just months into the role, when his hard work and dedication paid off and he was quickly promoted to assistant shift leader. “I started with no experience in composites or the offshore industry, and in a few months, I was already helping lead the shift,” he commented. “I am grateful to my patient colleagues who took the time to teach me everything I needed to know and enabled me to progress quickly. The wider team trusted me with responsibilities early on, which helped build confidence, and the clear procedures made things easier. Being able to move into a leadership role so soon shows that the company is serious about developing people internally.”
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. “Adapting to a completely new technical field in a new country and language was huge,” he reflects. “Jumping into manufacturing after years in sales and hospitality, surrounded by composite pipes, shift work, and Dutch-speaking engineers, meant a steep learning curve. But challenge accepted… and overcome.”
Sustainability remains a core value at Strohm, and one which shapes the team’s actions. “It’s not just a slogan here,” Danylo explained. “The whole production process is built around clean materials and smarter production. For my role in manufacturing, it means constant awareness of waste, efficiency, and process improvement. Even small changes in how we clean or cut materials can reduce impact. It’s something that is constantly reinforced by the company and always in the back of our heads.”
The wider team has played a crucial role in his professional development, offering trust, mentorship, and rapid responsibility. That early confidence-building has sparked a keen interest, and Danylo would like to become more involved in initiatives aimed at process improvement and reducing downtime.” I enjoy thinking about how we can make things run more smoothly”, he said. “With my experience managing people and processes, I think I can really provide value beyond day-to-day operations. Also, I’m interested in being part of larger international projects, working with clients from different countries and I’d love to understand the full picture of how everything comes together, from planning to execution.”