Production Manager at Hedson

Patrik Hector

Few people have the opportunity to spend their entire career at the same company – over four decades, in Patrik Hector’s case. Patrik, Production Manager at Hedson, started at the company in Vänersborg straight out of high school as a 17-year-old industrial electrician. Forty-one years later, he’s still going strong. 

– Many people change jobs every seven years or so, which, in a way, I’ve also done – internally. I’ve had many different roles, from electrician to working with service, marketing, purchasing, project management, and IT. Whenever I was asked to try a new role, I’ve always said yes, says Patrik Hector. 

Which role has been the most enjoyable? 

– Where I am right now, I think. That’s usually the case. I’m very involved in projects, in design and construction, and for smaller projects I handle them from start to finish on my own. The most fun jobs have been when I’ve been part of the entire chain, from request to finished product. From standing in the lab to building the actual machine. 

During his many eventful years at Hedson, Patrik has worked with several industries with very different focuses. Some projects stand out a bit more, such as IRT used to give frozen hamburgers their grilled surface, or shrimp cooked in their own shells. His favorite projects, however, are something entirely different. 

– The aviation industry is especially interesting. There, you have a completely different approach than in many other industries. It’s primarily about functionality, not about cutting costs or shortening delivery times. 

You’ve visited many other workplaces in your career; have you noticed anything special about how Hedson collaborates internally? 

– We’re a relatively small workplace, so we work very closely and have a strong sense of ‘we.’ The attitude is always, ‘we’ll solve this.’ I have colleagues who left and then came back because it became too monotonous at a larger company. I think people feel more connected to both the product and their colleagues at a smaller workplace, and they take greater responsibility. We always try to help each other and improve our work. It’s a positive environment. We also try to do activities together in our free time, from disco golf to sauna sessions, and every year a big group of us goes skiing together. 

What kind of attitude do you need to thrive at Hedson, in your opinion? 

– It helps if you have a drive to develop yourself. Flexibility and curiosity are important. That – and the drive to get somewhere, to try something new. 

How would you describe Hedson in three words? 

– Exciting, developing, fun.