Mechanically Minded

Anderson Bortoletto wants customers to know that behind the stunning exterior of a Sub-Zero refrigerator are thousands of engineering hours, many dozens of talented people, and lots of creativity. “I think if the consumer knew the amount of technology and effort we have put into the design of those products, they would be amazed,” says Bortoletto, who is a principal engineer with Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove. “It’s nothing short of what goes into a premiere race car. Basically, they have a Ferrari in their kitchen.”

Trained as a mechanical engineer, the Brazilian-born Bortoletto, traveled to Sweden to earn a graduate degree in heat transfer and sustainable energy engineering before moving to the United States for work. “I was with another appliance corporation before I joined Sub-Zero in 2009,” says Bortoletto. “I am still so impressed by the faith and confidence Sub-Zero had in me,” he adds, noting his hiring took place during a time of national financial uncertainty. “Bringing on someone with my kind of expertise at that time demonstrated the company’s commitment to invest in the future. My work focused on planning for the right products with the right technologies, so we would be ready when the high-end appliance market returned strongly.”

Bortoletto’s work with the Advanced Product Development group requires him to discover and transfer new technologies that will enable new products and new features for the future. “We bring new technological capabilities to the organizational process that will support or enhance the design development process.” 

Back home in Wisconsin, Bortoletto finds he enjoys bicycling as a way to take a break from engineering. “I like to go out and explore all the roads nearby,” he says. “It is time for myself when I’m not thinking about work, but incredibly, there are moments when I come up with new inspiration while biking, and something pops into my mind. It is funny the way our brains and imaginations work. If you just pull yourself away for a minute, the ideas sneak in.”

“This is the good thing about Sub-Zero and the whole culture of the company,” says Bortoletto. “They really foster a life-work balance for their employees. The result is that you are happy, you are coming in to work with new ideas and the productivity increases, and we generate value for the customer.” He says that communication within the company is particularly productive. “The proximity we have to upper leadership is incredible. You can talk to the vice president and pass some ideas along. It is great how there is so much interaction amongst both peers and leadership.” 

This collaborative aspect of his work is a huge part of his job satisfaction. “Overall, it is very exciting because we challenge each other, but at the same time, it is a very friendly atmosphere.”  Ultimately, he says, the result is trust among peers as each contributes their expertise in their specific area of work, and together, they design, develop, and build impeccable products.

“When a customer opens their Sub-Zero refrigerator, they have hundreds of very talented engineers using cutting-edge technology right in front of them,” says Bortoletto. “But of course, they don’t need to think about that—they just have to enjoy the benefits.”