Wasantha Perera finds great joy in tackling technical challenges presented by DEUTZ customers. He thrives on working with unique projects and solving complex problems.
“I’m currently involved in several projects. Occasionally, we receive requests for special applications, and those are always fascinating,” says Wasantha.
“One of our dealers in Bundaberg received a request from a railway company for one of our generators, but they needed it to be compatible with a 24V DC system instead of the existing 12V DC. My task is to figure out how we can convert it, what design modifications are required, and the associated costs.
“Another project in Bundaberg involves upgrading one of our generators, which currently has a manually operated load bank, to an automated system. I love unravelling these types of technical puzzles.”
Wasantha joined DEUTZ in early 2021 but has spent his professional life surrounded by technology. He has worked as a service engineer, production engineer, and production manager in various industries such as electrical, mechanical, gas, and energy.
For the past nine years, he specialised in turbine technology at Aquatec Maxcon/MPA Engineering. Additionally, Wasantha has experience in gas fields with Origin Energy and waste-to-energy plants.
This diverse background has provided him with valuable insights into technology and engineering in various forms, which he now shares with his colleagues and customers at DEUTZ.
“While I work across the company, most of my time is dedicated to our generators, engines, and new product development. Part of my role involves researching and identifying any gaps in DEUTZ Australia’s product line and developing new products to fill those gaps. I also analyse market data for our engines to identify areas of strong performance and areas where we can offer more,” explains Wasantha.
For many DEUTZ customers and dealers, Wasantha serves as the go-to technical expert, assisting them in resolving potential issues.
“Our dealers often approach us with questions about product functionality, and I’m here to support them,” says Wasantha.
However, he is also constantly learning and growing in his role at DEUTZ. He appreciates the collaborative working environment where people are eager to help each other.
Wasantha gains valuable insights about their products by liaising with the factories in Europe and the head office in Germany. When new products are on the horizon, he enjoys conversing with his overseas colleagues to stay updated. This way, he can assist dealers and customers with any inquiries they may have when the new products arrive.
Originally from Sri Lanka, Wasantha studied electrical engineering there before furthering his qualifications at RMIT University in Melbourne. He settled in Australia in 1996 after working in Saudi Arabia for a few years.
“I wasn’t satisfied with the political situation in Sri Lanka, and I believed Australia offered more opportunities,” he shares.
With two children aged 21 and 24, Wasantha acknowledges the advantages his family has experienced growing up in Australia.
“Melbourne is a place of happiness for me. I have friends here, and I enjoy my life in this city,” he says.
When COVID-19 restrictions allow, Wasantha likes to escape Melbourne from time to time. Apart from spending time in the kitchen cooking Sri Lankan and Indian cuisine, he is an avid traveller.
“I’ve been to the USA multiple times, as well as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Fiji, China, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, India, UAE, Bahrain, and the Philippines. I would like to explore more of New Zealand and Australia,” he adds.
