When Gunnar “Ånäset” Holmgren started as a process operator at Sekab in Örnsköldsvik 40 years ago, the work was, to say the least, very different from today. Back then, his days were filled with rounds through the plant – checking processes and machines that had no digital monitoring yet.
“There was endless running around,” he recalls, “but you learned the plant much faster than you do today.”
Gunnar’s path to Sekab began when, at 17, he left Ånäset and Skellefteå to work as a process operator in Örnsköldsvik, together with two classmates. Because he was too young for shift work, he initially worked daytime hours, but when he turned 18, he started working shifts and began staying more often in town during his weeks off. “There was a great sense of camaraderie, especially among the younger employees. We even had our own ‘young workers’ union,’ and eventually I put down roots here,” he says.
Gunnar has enjoyed working with his colleagues and appreciates the family-like atmosphere. “It’s a small plant, and everyone knows everyone – you’re not just a face in the crowd,” he says, which he believes is one reason he stayed. Over the years, the job has given him not only experience but also deep knowledge of the plant and its chemical processes.
It’s a small plant, and everyone knows everyone – you’re not just a face in the crowd
One of the biggest changes Gunnar has seen over the years is the digitalization of Sekab’s production processes.
At the start of his career, he had to physically walk around the plant to monitor production – an activity that gave him a detailed understanding of the facility. “Today it’s less physically demanding,” he says, adding, “and if we’re sitting back with our feet up in the control room, that’s a good sign – it means the plant is running smoothly.”
Thanks to his deep knowledge of the facility, Gunnar had the opportunity to be part of the project to upgrade the control system. Because he knew the plant so well, he was selected to undergo training and then help digitally map the entire facility. “Creating the map we now use to manage production was a fun experience and something I’m really proud of.”
Today, Sekab is one of the few players producing chemicals from bio-based raw materials, and the company has made great strides toward sustainable production.
For Gunnar, this doesn’t change his daily work much, but he takes pride in the company’s decision to invest in fossil-free solutions. “Sekab has always been at the forefront, and I hope more companies in the chemical industry will follow in the green transition,” he says.
Over the years, Gunnar has trained many new employees, and he always shares his most important advice: “Small steering movements,” meaning that adjustments to the processes should be made carefully and gradually. “It gives you time to see the results of each change and adjust if needed. It’s also important not to be too scared – chemicals are dangerous if handled incorrectly, but you shouldn’t be overly cautious either. You need respect and confidence.”
Looking ahead, Gunnar sees a future where digitalization continues, but he’s convinced that the operator’s presence will remain essential. “Sure, it would be convenient to monitor everything from home, but some things just have to be handled on-site,” he says. After all these years, he can tell if something’s wrong in production just by listening to the sounds of the plant. “You can’t replace everything with machines – we’re needed on-site when unexpected things happen.”
Gunnar has no plans to leave Sekab.
“I really enjoy it here, and it’s hard to imagine a better place to be,” he says. With his experience and dedication, he remains a rock in the company and a role model for the next generation of process operators.