Voices of Bradken-Janet Zehnder

Building strong teams and creating lasting impact

Meet Janet Zehnder, Site Manager at Bradken's world-class mill liner foundry in Chilca, Peru. For most of her career, Janet has worked in industries defined by complex processes, advanced technology and high-performance operations. But ask her what drives success, and her answer is simple: people. Known for her collaborative leadership style and genuine desire to help others succeed, Janet describes herself as someone who is "always happy to help" and committed to becoming a better version of herself a little bit every day through continuous learning and growth.

With a background in chemical engineering and more than 20 years' experience in heavy industry, joining the Chilca team in 2025 gave Janet the rare opportunity to help build not only a new site from the ground up, but also the team and culture that will support it for years to come. She has played a key role in establishing the foundations of the foundry, bringing a leadership philosophy centred on helping people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow.

Quick facts about Janet:

Current Role: Site Manager
Joined Bradken: September 2025
Bradken location: Chilca, Peru
Hometown: Oxapampa (a remote Austro-German settlement in Peru's jungle region)
Hobbies: Reading and puzzles
Favourite book: A Backpack for the Universe (Una mochila para el universo) by Elsa Punset
Pets: A cat named Luna and some fish

What does your role at Bradken involve and what do you like most about it? I joined Bradken in September 2025 as Site Manager of the Chilca foundry while it was still under construction, so my role has been largely focused on getting everything ready for the start of operations. That has included hiring and developing the team, establishing our culture, creating work instructions and systems and building the foundations for a safe, high-performing operation that will support the foundry into the future. It's been a unique opportunity because we've been building not only a new facility, but also a completely new team and way of working.

Following the official opening of the foundry in July 2026, the focus of my role is now shifting from building the foundations to supporting the team as we increase production and continue developing a world-class operation that strengthens our ability to serve existing and new customers across Peru and South America with greater speed, flexibility and responsiveness.

What I enjoy most about my job is that I get to help create the culture that will sustain that success of our team over the long term. Throughout my career, I've learned that great results come from more than processes and technology, they come from people. I'm passionate about creating an environment where people feel valued, supported and empowered to grow, while encouraging a mindset of continuous improvement.

On a personal note, joining Bradken has also been a growth experience for me. This is my first role with a global company and, at first, speaking in English and navigating different accents felt quite challenging. But it's also been one of the most rewarding parts of the role, giving me the opportunity to learn from colleagues around the world, build new connections and broaden my perspective.

What inspired you to pursue a career in this field? I've always been curious about how things work. Growing up in the Peruvian jungle on my family's farm, I spent a lot of time observing nature and asking questions about the world around me. As a child, I pictured myself growing up as a housewife and mother, and while I do now have two wonderful children, my career journey turned out to be much more than I ever imagined.

My path changed when I took my first chemistry class in high school. I was fascinated by the way chemistry could explain so much about the world around us, and I remember thinking that if chemistry could explain almost everything, then chemical engineering might help solve almost anything. That curiosity led me to pursue engineering, and it's a decision I've never regretted.

My career began in the oil and gas industry, where I was drawn to the complexity of the processes and the opportunity to apply what I'd learned at university. Working in traditionally male-dominated industries also showed me that there was a place for women in these fields, which has inspired me to support and encourage other women considering careers in STEM and manufacturing.

What do you think makes Bradken a great place to work? What I appreciate most about Bradken is the way people work together. There’s a genuine culture of collaboration and respect and I've always felt supported by colleagues who are willing to share what they know and help each other succeed. There is strength in teamwork and I see examples of that at Bradken all the time.

I've also been fortunate to work with leaders who bring out the best in people by focusing on their strengths rather than their weaknesses. Their example has shown me how powerful it can be to recognise potential, build confidence and help others grow - an approach that continues to influence my actions as a leader.

What I appreciate most about Bradken is the way people work together. There is strength in teamwork and I see examples of that at Bradken all the time.

- Janet

Women in manufacturing

One of the initiatives Janet is most proud of at Chilca is the site's Women in Manufacturing program. The first program of its kind in the district, it helps create pathways for local women to enter manufacturing by providing targeted training and key skills development setting them up for long-term employment success.

Having spent the majority of her career working in traditionally male-dominated industries, Janet is passionate about creating opportunities for more women to build careers in manufacturing.

"It's rewarding to see how we're changing lives and the traditional way of working in manufacturing,” Janet says. “The technology used in the Chilca foundry is helping make these roles more accessible and creating new opportunities for women to build careers in our industry. Our diverse team is learning to work with different approaches and different points of view, getting the real benefits of diversity."

What does life look like for you outside of work? I enjoy slowing down and recharging with life's simpler pleasures. I love reading, working on puzzles and spending time in nature. I also enjoy a good conversation and spending quality time with my family – working close enough to home to be able to return home each day and spend time with them is one of the things I'm most grateful for.

I'm also passionate about giving back through mentoring women in industry. I volunteer with Women in Energy in Peru where our goal is to empower more women to work in STEM fields. I’ve mentored with them for the past eight years, since the program started. I´m also a volunteer mentor in a national organization called Proinversion, that runs a mentoring program supporting professional growth among female public servants.

What’s your advice for others thinking about joining Bradken? My advice would be to come with humility and a willingness to collaborate. Bradken is a global company where people are respected, valued and encouraged to contribute. If you're open to learning, working together and bringing a positive mindset every day, there are plenty of opportunities to grow and develop your career.

Products and Services

Mill Liner Solutions

Bradken is a leading supplier of high quality Mill Liner Systems to suit AG/SAG, Ball and Rod Mills. Using the latest technologies, we aim to provide customers with an advanced Mill Liner System that increases mill performance and availability.

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Building strong teams and creating lasting impact

What I appreciate most about Bradken is the way people work together. There is strength in teamwork and I see examples of that at Bradken all the time.

Women in manufacturing

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Mill Liner Solutions

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Building strong teams and creating lasting impact

quoteWhat I appreciate most about Bradken is the way people work together. There is strength in teamwork and I see examples of that at Bradken all the time. quote

Women in manufacturing

Products and Services

Mill Liner Solutions

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Products & Services

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Sustainability

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Knowledge Hub

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About

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Careers

What I appreciate most about Bradken is the way people work together. There is strength in teamwork and I see examples of that at Bradken all the time.