Meet our people: Fredrik Hedin, Breakbulk Projects Manager
We aspire to be a workplace where everyone can bring their best self every day, learn from each other and feel appreciated. In our new series, we’re shining a spotlight on the people who make us who we are.
Fredrik, can you tell us a bit about what your team does?
We have a dual role. We support the sales organization with technical input for different types of cargo, such as what handling equipment to use and vessel and port limitations. We’re also the go-to team when a solution is required for so-called specialized cargo, which can be anything out of the ordinary in terms of length, width, height or weight.
As a small team of eight, we’re agile and can make decisions quickly. We also help out with training and teaching, both internally and externally for customers, which I enjoy very much. When I start brainstorming on my board it’s hard to stop because I want to share so much and get people involved.
What’s the most important thing about your job?
Safety is in our backbone; we can’t allow anyone to be harmed. Luckily, we have such a long history of doing what we do, so we know what’s working and what’s not. This means we can make our processes and working environments as safe as possible. We also have so many skilled people at the ports and onboard our vessels who know what to look out for.
Do you have a Wallenius Wilhelmsen memory that sticks in your mind?
There are so many, but I will always remember a 118-tonne piece of cargo with only one lashing point and a very small footprint considering its weight. When asked if we could accept the unit, I laughed and said no. Later that evening when walking my dog, I thought about it and came up with a possible solution, which I presented to the team. We realized that while it would require a lot of work and investment, it was doable.
A few months later, we loaded the unit on the vessel and it arrived without any damages or issues. We achieved what appeared to be an impossible task by working together to realize our goal – I still get goosebumps when I think about it.
What makes you proud to work at Wallenius Wilhelmsen?
It’s the people. When it matters, we come together to solve a situation and work as a team. I’m surrounded by people who aren’t afraid to ask for help and encourage colleagues to do the same, and this contributes to an open work atmosphere and culture.
