Efficient and flexible maintenance work

In high school, Emma studied the Industrial Technology program in Hudiksvall and chose to continue with the program's fourth, more practical year after graduation. When Emma met her husband, she moved to Sundsvall, and in 2016, she started working at SCA.

Over the years, Emma was promoted to a role in maintenance and planning. She later became a team leader for the preventive maintenance technicians. Two years ago, Emma stepped into the role of maintenance manager, a position that offers both opportunities and challenges.

"Taking on responsibility for personnel was something I was afraid of at first, and I questioned myself and my competence many times. But now, I can’t imagine anything more enjoyable than working with people," Emma explains.

Maintenance work is fast-paced and dynamic, with no days being alike. With responsibility for ensuring the sawmill's daily operations, the team quickly needs to reprioritize tasks.

"We have a basic plan for the work that needs to be done. But it often changes based on how production is going. We constantly have to replan and stay solution-oriented, and that's an incredibly fun part of my job," says Emma.

A journey for the whole team

From previously having relatively low employee engagement in the maintenance team, Emma has successfully turned the trend around. However, she emphasizes that this is not something she has done on her own.

"This is nothing I can take credit for. I have an amazing maintenance team with me, and without them, this journey would never have been possible. I’m privileged to work with such a fantastic group," says Emma.

Clear, direct, and honest – it is the feedback Emma has received in her role as maintenance manager. She believes it’s essential that her team trusts her.

"I make sure there’s someone standing up for them, their knowledge, and communicating their perspective. They possess an incredible amount of expertise that we must manage well, and doing so is one of my most important responsibilities," Emma explains.

"I also think it’s advantageous that I’ve previously worked in the same role as the people I’m managing today. It helps me understand the challenges they face and the way they work," she adds.

For Emma, leadership is about enabling team members to recognize each other’s strengths and work together as a cohesive team. One thing she has worked extensively on – and which the group appreciates – is fostering an open environment. Beyond having lunch together every day, Emma also sees the morning meetings as a crucial part of team-building. During these meetings, they review the day’s tasks, discuss production updates, and identify potential issues to address proactively.

"In the beginning, the morning meetings were only ten minutes long, but today, they last at least half an hour. I see the value in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to speak and participate. It’s very important," says Emma.

Close collaboration

Today, maintenance work is often carried out in collaboration with the production team during planned stops. This approach allows for joint decisions to be made and fosters a greater understanding of each other’s tasks.

"In some shifts, we even assist production with tasks like assembling or handling materials. Just as production gets to feel involved, maintenance also benefits from valuable resources. We’ve truly managed to erase the boundary between 'us' and 'them," Emma says with a smile.

Emma shares that she enjoys working at SCA and describes the company as a secure employer with excellent benefits. After a brief pause, she bursts into laughter:

"When I think about it, I honestly don’t know what I would do if I didn’t work here!"

Working at a sawmill

When asked about what it’s like to work at a sawmill, Emma pauses to think for a moment before smiling.

"It’s busy; there’s always something new happening, which is incredibly exciting. But above all, there’s a strong sense of community here. We’re relatively few people, so in some way, everyone knows everyone," Emma says.

Emma smiles as she reflects on her journey at SCA. She explains that she has always been proactive and unafraid to voice her thoughts and opinions – something she believes is essential for personal growth.

"I find it easy to grow within the company. As long as you stay grounded, believe in yourself, and are driven, you’ve already come a long way," Emma concludes.