Two weeks after finishing his workshop apprenticeship, he secured a job as a milling machine operator.
This Midsummer marked 49 years for Stefan Sjödin at Elpress - an almost unsurpassable record.
“There aren’t many of us iron lads left these days,” he says.
In June 1973 he was just 17 years old and had completed his training as a workshop apprentice at the vocational college in Sandö. After registering with the local employment office, Nordhydraulic and Winemars (which is what Elpress used to be called) both got in touch. He opted for the latter and was hired right away.
Cheered on by his workmates, he plucked up the courage to approach the works manager to ask whether he could be paid more. His argument: he was almost eighteen years old. The response: no! Downhearted by the firm answer, he retreated. But just a couple of hours later, the manager had changed his mind and gave Stefan a raise.
Over the years, he has become a skilled member of the team and a model self-starter. He has worked as a milling machine operator, tool maker, and since 1997 he has been a production developer. He works closely with production technicians to develop and build new machines which delivery improved efficiencies and an enhanced working environment.
It goes without saying that he has many memories from his time at Elpress, including the grand opening of the new factory at Brunne in 1975, as well as the time when the King and Queen visited and travelled in a custom-built trailer towed by a forklift. He even encountered a wild strike. By now, retirement must be tempting Stefan… or will he aim for the 50-year mark?
He leapt at Elpress’s offer to improve his health with the help of a personal trainer. His workouts mean he no longer suffers from as much back pain, and he has found he is more mobile and stronger. This is great news now that the summer dance season has finally kicked off. Stefan was once a shy young man, and blushes slightly when he mentions that he’s a popular dance partner out on the floor.
It’s no surprise that he’s dancing on air.
Text: Christine Modig
Photo: Nicklas Stavbom
Caption: “It’s great that we’re making such good profits. There aren’t many companies in Ådalen posting results like ours at Elpress,” says Stefan Sjödin, who started work at the company on 25 June 1973.
Facts about Stefan
Name: Stefan Sjödin
Occupation: Production developer
Age: 66 (turns 67 this December)
Family: partner Lena, two daughters of his own and Lena’s two children, and 18-year-old cat Jossie (who happens to be deaf),
Lives: At Bruket in Kramfors
Hobbies: “I really love dancing. That’s how Lena and I met. I do ballroom style dancing, jive, and old-time dancing. As it happens, I’m actually really good at it.” Also fishes plenty.
Latest updated: 2022-11-22