The Japan assignment: Unleashing the power of people.

January 14, 2025

At Comet, we're all about growth and innovation - not just for our business, but especially for our employees. One of the ways we cultivate this endeavour is through international assignments, where colleagues can explore new territories and work with teams in other locations or countries. Our latest story draws us to the world of Comet Yokohama, Japan, where Catherine MacGillivray-Prantl, our Global Head of Talent Management & Culture, took on the challenge of a 6-month assignment as Country Manager ad interim.

The mission: bridging cultures.

Catherine's mission was to pave the way for Comet's continuous growth in the region. To achieve this, she focused on empowering the local team through training on values, running workshops, and improving processes. Additionally, Catherine successfully recruited a Country Manager to lead the team.

With her extensive experience leading global recruitment teams and working across diverse cultures, Catherine was the perfect fit for this role. She not only challenged the local team but also reported back to headquarter on how to improve the support for the locations, so we operate more united and empowered as one Comet.

Hey Catherine, how was your adventure in Japan?

Watch the interview and discover how international assignments can unleash the power of people and help us explore new territories at Comet.

"I've been learning how important it is to lean on others and to be curious about each other.” 

Catherine MacGillivray-Prantl
Global Head Talent Management & Culture

The value of international assignments.

This assignment is more than just a job; it's an adventure and a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture and way of life. Challenges are an integral part of this experience. For instance, Catherine had to navigate an unfamiliar language and find effective ways to communicate with her peers, while the local team also worked to understand her. These challenges, rather than being obstacles, are essential for fostering talent development, diversity, and global collaboration. 

What we stand for

At Comet, we stand for promoting our talents and creating an environment of growth and opportunity. That's why we launched our mobility program in 2021, with the goal of providing beneficial experiences for both the employee and the company. We believe that international assignments like Catherine's not only bring value to our company but also help us live our values and strengthen our sense of unity as we continue to grow and expand into new markets.

Could this be you?

Let’s explore together.

We are looking for ambitious and passionate people who want to collaborate to make a difference.

Latest Posts

BLOX – The digital health monitor for X-ray modules

July 29, 2025

Comet is proud to introduce BLOX, our new digital health monitor for X-ray components, developed by our X-ray modules team. As the first solution of its kind in the field of non-destructive testing, BLOX brings the power of Industrial IoT (Internet of Things), data intelligence, and remote monitoring to one of Comet’s core technologies, and with it, opens new possibilities for smarter, more reliable inspection. By combining deep system insights with advanced analytics, BLOX enables customers to take action before issues escalate – a significant step toward predictive maintenance and a fully connected, data-driven future.

Read more

One year of European Chips Diversity Alliance: Interview with Isabella Drolz

July 09, 2025

What happens when academia and industry come together to tackle one of the biggest talent challenges in Europe? In the European Chips Diversity Alliance (ECDA), partners from across the EU are working to open up the semiconductor industry to new, diverse talent. One year in, Comet’s Isabella Drolz reflects on what’s been achieved so far, where we’re heading next – and what it takes to bring learning and talent development to life.

Read more

International Women in Engineering Day

June 23, 2025

At Comet, curiosity fuels innovation – and that curiosity thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. On this International Women in Engineering Day, we’re spotlighting three engineers who are not only helping us build smarter, more resilient technology, but also inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers. Their journeys, shaped by curiosity, determination, and a love for the unknown, remind us of what’s possible when everyone has a seat at the engineering table.

Read more