Meet the staff: Per Emilsson

With 38 years at UMV, our Vice-President for Customer Solutions shares his journey from managing the pilot plant to leading customer-focused projects and sales.

How long have you worked at UMV and what attracted you to the company in the first place?

– I have worked here for 38 years, drawn by the creative work and customer interaction. The job has also given me the opportunity to travel around the world, to countries like New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the USA, and throughout Europe. I really enjoy it, and in my opinion, I have the most fun job in the world.

What is your role at UMV and what are your responsibilities?

– Vice-President for Customer Solutions. I started as the manager of the pilot plant but have gradually shifted more towards sales. Before the pandemic, I traveled a lot, both within Sweden and abroad, but now it’s mostly through Teams, although I do travel a bit when opportunities arise. I assist with trial runs and communicate with customers about their new products, concepts for manufacturing them, and planning the trial run, which is exciting as I get to be part of their visions and ideas. Through projects, you build strong relationships with customers and colleagues. It’s enriching to create something unique together.

Which projects or assignments at UMV have been the most exciting or rewarding for you, and why?

– I might be bending the rules a bit with my answer, but I think all projects have been exciting and rewarding. What’s particularly interesting right now is that in November, we, together with partners, will be hosting a course on barrier coating here in Säffle, with around 60 experts from all over the world participating, which feels amazing.

What do you think is most unique about UMV as a company in your industry?

– One unique strength of ours is the incredible expertise our staff has across all departments. Development is encouraged, and every mistake is seen as a learning opportunity. Anyone can come up with suggestions, and ideas are welcomed regardless of their origin. We are also proud of our pilot plant for coating technology, which is one of the most advanced in the world. Our owners are passionate and dedicated, which truly makes a difference.

What do you think is the biggest challenge in your work and how do you handle it?

– We want to do many different things, like installing measurement frames in the pilot or investing in advanced equipment to evaluate barrier properties. A challenge that arises is that we always need to prioritize correctly, to ensure we do what is best for the company.

How do you prefer to spend a day off?

– In my free time, I like to do some tinkering at my countryside home. I spend a lot of time with my family, so it’s always fun when the children and grandchildren visit. I also spend a lot of time in the kitchen, as cooking is one of my favorite activities. My signature dishes are Boeuf Bourguignon, “steamed cod Norwegian style,” and homemade crème caramel.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.

– Oh, that’s a tough one. I’m quite outgoing, so people around me can’t avoid discussing almost everything, so there aren’t many secrets!