Every morning Ariel Lichtenberg reaches the armaments plant of the Land and IMI division to conduct a complex orchestra. “My fuel is the never-ending action,” he says. “Ultimately, the realization that the products we make and assemble here also reach our own army – brings with it a sense of pride that’s hard to explain.”
My story
Ariel has fulfilled a number of roles since joining the company in 2007 as a planner and manager of the armaments plant in Yokneam. In his present position as planner at the department of production planning and supervision, Ariel is responsible for the working plan of the armaments plant and material scheduling on the production floor – a sort of accurate, multi-part Swiss watch. “Our main challenges are meeting deadlines for supply to the customer and precise synchronization between all the plant’s machines. We have an array of products, professional people, raw materials and machinery – it all has to flow smoothly and properly so we comply with supply deadlines and meet the required quality.”
The greatest moment of pride in the work routine is when finished products leave the plant, he says. “From my perspective, it’s a terrific thing: to suddenly see six finished cannons, ready for action, going out to the customer. Especially when the weapons are designated for the Israel Defense Force – it’s exciting. The first time we supplied weapon stations to the IDF under my watch was a defining moment for me.”
After conducting the complex symphony of the production floor, at the end of the day, Ariel shifts to different music entirely – playing the keyboard. “I used to be a professional keyboardist. Today, it’s something that gives pleasure. I love a wide range of music, especially serene Israeli music. In the last 20 years, I’ve also engaged in preparing boys for their bar-mitzvah.”
