Andreas holds a degree in chemistry from the University of Gothenburg and has also studied biology, an education that has proven invaluable. He started as a field technician and, just a year later, became a project manager, responsible for driving projects forward and ensuring they’re completed successfully. When he first joined, the company was small, so it wasn’t just an office job. Back then, he was out in the field on average two days a week, though this varied throughout the year. Today, as a project manager, Andreas has a more administrative role but still makes regular field visits to his projects.

Stimulating variety

When initiating a new water treatment project, the intensity of fieldwork increases. This trend continues during the project's completion phase. In the interim, the project manager can shift focus to administration and new client inquiries. Often, existing projects evolve, requiring the project manager to reassess equipment needs and flow parameters.

Andreas typically manages between three and five projects running in parallel. Currently, he’s working on two projects related to the West Link (Västlänken) in Gothenburg and has also overseen a water treatment facility for a large industrial client in Halmstad.

– My projects are running smoothly. I recently visited the West Link sites and keep in close contact with the team in Halmstad, he says.

In the field, the project manager and field technician frequently collaborate closely, as Andreas explains it. While the project manager tends to have more customer interaction and may delegate slightly more to the technician, roles and tasks remain flexible, and formal hierarchies are notably absent. The company exudes a familial atmosphere, where short decision-making paths contribute to a sense of cohesion and efficiency.

– There's a brief distance between conceptualizing ideas and bringing them to reality. We all share a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm for exploring new solutions. If I want to try something, it doesn't have to go through five desks first.

The most rewarding aspect of the job for Andreas is tackling the most challenging projects—situations where contaminated and demanding water transforms into clean drinking water. What makes him proudest is being part of the journey during which Swedish Hydro Solutions' water treatment system evolved from early prototypes to a finished product.

Many within the company highlight the environmental aspect as a driving force. For Andreas, it's more of a bonus. Working for a company that contributes to the advancement of sustainable water treatment is something he doesn't dwell on daily; it has become second nature, he says. What he finds more engaging and enjoyable are the technical details—ensuring a project in Stockholm runs smoothly.

Andreas believes that to be a successful project manager at Swedish Hydro Solutions, one must possess problem-solving skills, be flexible, adapt to varying conditions, and make swift decisions.

– Additionally, being a team player is essential, both when dealing with customers—enjoying the challenge of addressing their needs—and within the company itself. Collaboration is a significant part of our work.

– We’ve grown since I joined, and we’ll keep growing, that’s for sure. When I started, it was just Jakob, Anders, Ingrid, and me. Today, we have three offices and more hires coming on board. It’s exciting to be part of this journey, Andreas shares.

– Swedish Hydro Solutions will play a significant role in water treatment, both in Sweden and internationally, in the years to come. Where the ship is headed exactly, we’ll have to wait and see. But I definitely plan to stay on board for the ride.