As part of our 70th anniversary celebration, we’re meeting some of the employees who have been our colleagues the longest. Read about their career journeys, experiences, and how the daily work has evolved over the years!
Say hello to Anders Ahl!
When did you start working at Thomas Betong AB?
I started on August 27, 1989.
What was your first role and what is your role today?
My first role was as a concrete truck driver, a position I held for over ten years. After that, I had various roles in production. Today, I work as the operations manager and concrete technician, at Thomas Betong, for the Värmland/Skaraborg region in Sweden.
“Creating good concrete together with an engaged team – that’s really enjoyable.”
What does a typical workday look like for you?
I work closely with active production and create new mix designs daily for the plants in my area. I try to attend as many project kickoff meetings as possible to add value for our customers. I’m also involved in the mix design and technology group led by the product center, helping colleagues with audits, evaluations, and other questions. It’s always rewarding when your support is appreciated. Of course, I travel between the plants to get a proper feel for the concrete’s properties.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m 57 years old and have recently moved into a newly built house that I partially designed myself. It’s beautifully located by the lake, very close to the Picasso sculpture in Kristinehamn. In my free time, I work on various construction projects, chainsaw work, and wood splitting – there’s always something to do when you have a large property with several buildings.
Tell us about something you’ve been especially proud to be part of during your career at the company.
It was a very positive and memorable experience to start working with Martin Thomas’ pioneers, who began operations in Karlstad in 1954. I learned a lot about the company’s history from them.
Share a strong memory from your years at the company.
Thanks to the concrete expertise I had built up, I was offered the job as a process operator at the Karlstad plant, which later led to me becoming the operations manager for the plant and eventually for a total of four units. If you have interest and commitment, it often leads to something new.
How would you briefly describe the company when you started working here? What is the biggest change compared to today?
The company was much smaller when I started. It was Karlstad AB, Skövde AB, Borås AB, and Göteborg AB – each with its own CEO. We felt like a small local family. Back then, you didn’t just walk into the office like today – I was hardly ever there during my ten years as a driver. The biggest change today is our shared structure and digital systems, which allow you to support any plant from anywhere. Before, you had to travel to the plant and access the process computer. Today, we have many systems that simplify the work.
What has made you enjoy your work and stay so long?
I think it’s a combination of things: I’ve had the opportunity to take on different roles and to act as a mentor to newer team members. It’s fun to learn and then help others. Also, I think the collaboration works well no matter which plant I visit. Creating good concrete together with an engaged team – that’s really enjoyable.
