Meet Thomas Andersson, the man with the best job within Lantmännen

Thomas Andersson has worked 35 years at Lantmännen. He started as Electrical Manager at the mill in Mjölby in Sweden and is now Work Environment Manager in the Lantmännen Group. Despite so many years in the same company, he still has the passion to make a difference, every day.

I have the best job within Lantmännen, because I can share my knowledge and experience between companies and facilities. I can tell how things were done before and in other places. I like it when I can be involved and influence and make decisions that lead to improvements.

Thomas describes his current position:

”I visit our production facilities within the group and carry out inspections to prevent damage and injuries. These reports that are compiled form the basis for how we assess and value our risks and provide recommendations on how we can improve our work environment and safety work. They also form the basis when we take out insurance policies. Since the beginning of the 2000s, we have used a tool which we call Lantmännen Blue.”

Another part of Thomas' work is to coordinate that the divisions and sectors within the Lantmännen group work in the same way in all operations and countries with health and safety issues. This work includes human factors such as how to manage stress and the psychosocial work environment, and factors at the sites such as checking that there are sprinklers in the roofs and that chemicals are handled correctly. The aim is to ensure that Lantmännen can produce the products that customers demand and to protect employees, production, and buildings.

Thomas Andersson on an inspection at Lantmännen Unibake in Harrislee, Germany.

Three qualities needed in my work: to be positive, humble, and patient.

How do you see your career, what drives you to develop?

”For me, it's about capturing the fate that leads me into different directions. If I hadn’t ended up at the mill in Mjölby, Sweden, and been asked to take on another role in the group, I would not be here where I am today. What drives me to develop is to constantly work on continuous improvements, both as an individual and as an organization.”

If I were to describe Lantmännen with three words, it would be unique, exciting, and long-term.

You travel a lot in your work, how do you combine work and private life?

”I try to get some quality time when I'm at home and to spend it with my wife. Since my customers are internal, i.e. colleagues, it is important to respond and give feedback quickly. If I can't answer, I try to direct them correctly. I see myself at the heart of things and all questions are equally important.”

Every day, Thomas goes for a morning walk in the forest with his cat Samos.

Although there are many people in the organization who work with Health & Safety, you are "alone" in your role. How do you experience it?

”I don't experience it that way. We do this together. We have employees and managers who work every day to improve our work to prevent injuries or damage by detecting, correcting, and reporting issues in our reporting systems IA. I am more involved and supportive and sometimes a cultural bearer who can explain why we are where we are. I have a well-established network with colleagues.”

Tell us about one of your strongest memories from life at Lantmännen.

”It was probably the big fire in Londerzeel in Belgium in 2015, when we lost our entire bakery but luckily, no one was hurt. I have strong memories from when I arrived there and met employees with blank stares.

The fire was unique as we usually don´t have this type of very serious event. But once incidents do happen, no matter how serious they are, I find it very reassuring that our processes are working. In this incident in Londerzeel, the management in Belgium and at Unibake did a fantastic job in connection with, and after, the fire.”