Meet our people: Marcello Lopo, retiring after 45 years of dedication to traction transformers

Salut!

I am Marcello Lopo, a global expert in manufacturing, processes, and training for traction transformers. After 45 years with the company, I am going into retirement to enjoy a simple life with my wife. Before I embark on my next chapter beyond Hitachi Energy, I would love to share the experiences that have shaped me and the insights which I hope to pass on to future generations.

I joined our company in 1980 as an operations worker for the manufacturing of traditional traction transformers at the transformers factory in Geneva, Switzerland. After many years, my manager opened the possibility of advancing my career, giving me the chance to participate in the transformer’s documentation processes and to gain experience in the dry-type transformers field.

More than ten years later, in Australia, I got the opportunity to gain experience with my skills, because at that time we had started exploring the possibilities of transferring technology to replicate our production processes across various locations. I was there to help with a small project—manufacturing transformers for the locomotives used in mining. After that, we started our plans to create a training program with me as a trainer, and work on the transfer of production to different countries.  

This brought me to India, China, Russia, United States, Poland, and South Africa. I am happy because my role has given me the opportunity to teach and meet people from different cultures who had a different approach.   This was a very fulfilling time period, during which I gave a lot but I also gained a lot, by bringing my skills and then transferring these skills to other people. 

It has not always been easy, and sometimes you must stand your ground. At work, I embrace the mentality of commitment to precision and integrity. If a process is the right one, I believe in following it to the core without any compromises.

I had many memorable experiences as I worked in various countries during my fruitful tenure. 

Our first project in India was a true journey of growth and perseverance. The team had never built a traction transformer before, and the first one took more than six months to be completed. With dedication, continuous learning, and persistence, they mastered it. Step by step, they proved that with the right mindset, anything is possible.

When I was in South Africa, I had an opportunity to build strong connections across all levels. I made it a point to spend time with management and, in parallel, with the shop floor, who welcomed me into their gatherings. It reinforced a powerful lesson—true leadership comes from respecting and valuing everyone.

I also had the possibility to work in China, an incredible experience to get to know the local culture. I enjoyed working there because I found that my trainees had an impressive ability to technically replicate what I taught them exactly in the same way. It became impossible to tell the difference between your work and theirs. It was fantastic.

If I compare the locomotives we had at the beginning, when I started in this company, to what we have now, I can say that we have evolved a lot. There is less risk, so we have also worked to provide safety. Our transformers make trains safer for users in all conditions. This is one small part of my contribution to the world. 

I believe that I have given my passion to my work and respect to our customers. I strongly believe that our customers are our priority. I always think that if the customer is happy, the company who buys the transformer from us is happy and satisfied. Everybody benefits, because if we don’t have customers, we don’t have our jobs. We wouldn't have this opportunity. Again, you give a lot, to receive a lot. 

People ask me, “You’ve been doing this for 45 years. How come you never get bored?” My answer: always be curious. Grab every opportunity that comes your way. If you have a curious mind, you become interested in many things. You develop yourself. 

For example, I don’t speak English very well, but I learned English. I learned German and French. I speak Italian. To develop my career, I obtained a certificate for supervisor or manager.

After 45 years, the time has come for me to go into retirement and start a new chapter in my life. The thing I’m looking forward to the most is enjoying life, enjoying love. 

I am confident that the knowledge and experience I have shared over the years will be valuable to the next generation, who can draw inspiration from the past to shape the future.

My professional life has been rich with experiences and achievements in the field of traction, and it is with pride that I close this chapter.

I extend my gratitude to everyone I have worked with. It was my pleasure and treasure to work with all of you and I wish you all the best.

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