Monthly Archives: September 2017

”Personal leadership is not rocket science, still it is an effective approach for development”

By

Categories: Profiles.

Hi, Jörgen! Describe your view of personal leadership and why you find it so important?  

I believe that personal leadership is essential in understanding one’s goals and in planning and prioritizing to reach them. It is about identifying what you want to achieve and breaking it down into short-term goals and activities. Personal leadership is not rocket science, but still I find a strength in the approach. Being persistent and visionary are characteristics that I believe contribute to my own personal leadership. I try to use these characteristics as often as I can in my personal life, as a triathlete, as well as in my professional role as Business Controller at Greencarrier Liner Agency.

Interesting! How do you use personal leadership in your role as a Business Controller?

Basically, my work involves being responsible for the finance function and to make sure that our reporting is correct, timely and of high quality. Also, it is my job to ensure that Greencarrier Liner Agency is on the right path, both financially and in a broader business perspective. To accomplish this, we need visions of what we want to achieve. Together, we then map out what activities are needed to reach the goals and what obstacles we might face during the way. This way of working promotes internal efficiency in terms of keeping deadlines and using resources wisely, which is key for my function in the organisation.

I agree with that. What are your previous experiences that led up to your current position?

I spent my teenage years and the best part of my twenties trying to become a rock star, playing guitar in different local bands. As a struggling rocker, I had to make money somehow, so I freelanced as a sound engineer on the side. However, I was also very interested in business and since my career in music did not take off, I started studying at the School of business, economics and law at Gothenburg University where I got a master’s degree in business administration. After that, I worked at Maersk as a Controller and then at Mediatec as a Financial Manager before ending up at Greencarrier Liner Agency in 2011.

What is the best part of your job?

The most satisfying aspect of my job is seeing how far we have come in transitioning from how we used to work to what we are doing today. The processes are more efficient and colleagues are more involved in making changes possible. I enjoy being active in enabling constant improvements and empowering my colleagues to feel that they are developing with the job.

You mentioned being a triathlete, that sounds intense! Tell me more about how you spend your free time?

When I am not working, I most often exercise or spend time with my family. My daughters like football, as I do too, and I have been a coach for my oldest daughter for the last 8 years. It is very rewarding to take part in that and to see their development. As I am also a long distance triathlete, I need to plan my time carefully. I have completed the Ironman race twice and it requires a lot of preparation, not only physically, but even more so mentally. When setting a goal like that, long-term planning and short-term goals are essential to keep me motivated and efficient. During the time that is left, I am also involved in managing a social media running club called Lonesome Runners. I think we are somewhere around 16 000 members now. It is quite a success story!

So, what are your visions for the future?

My long-term goal at Greencarrier Liner Agency is to make myself redundant to a great degree. By this, I mean that I want my departments to be able to function without needing intervention from me, from an operative aspect. Another vision is that I want to create good structures on a global level, with strong cooperation and a dynamic relationship between our shared service center and our business area that includes great supervision, good follow-up procedures and constant improvements. Furthermore, I want to be part of the transition into the age of big data where we can make good use of the tools that are out there to build an even stronger base for our business.

Psst, check how Jörgen’s latest Ironman went here: 



Thank you for a nice chat, Jörgen and good luck with your endeavors both professionally and as a triathlete! Do you want to get to know other employees at Greencarrier Liner Agency? Visit our Knowledge Center! Also, learn more about our shipping services on our website.

What you need to know about container coating

By

Categories: News, Newsflash.

Why solvent-based paint is dangerous

For a long time, scientists have identified that solvent-based paints used on ships and containers are a possible provider to health threat for factory workers and greenhouse gases. When the solvent-based paint starts to fade, it releases Volatile Organic Components (VOCs), which leads to gases leaking into the atmosphere and attacking the ozone layer. During this fading process, the factory workers are exposed for a health hazard, since the gases from the solvents can irritate eyes, lung tissue and mucous membranes. Carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic effects have been proven as other consequences from VOCs.

Already during 2008, ship builders started to use water-based alternatives. Right now, the container makers are also doing their part to help limit the emissions that are assumed to contribute to the climate change. Container manufacturers and suppliers in China have therefore committed to complying with a new set of rules regarding container coating. From April 2017, they are obligated to start using water-based paint instead of solvent-based paint.

Consequences with the paint shift

Initially, the colour shift from solvent-based to water-based paint will cause higher prices since the production cost will increase significantly. The new paint system is more expensive and more demanding when you applicate it on a container, as this type of paint needs to be applied more carefully to reach the wanted quality.

When the water-based paint dries, the process is also more delicate and time consuming than when applying the solvent-based paint. For a 20-foot container water-based paint can take up to 20 hours to dry, compared with the conventional paints where it only takes four hours. Additionally, compliance with specifications regarding humidity, temperature and ventilation during the drying process is also crucial and means that factories need to invest in ventilation and general logistics. All aspects together lead to increasing costs.

Why the new water-based container paint is beneficial

Although, we are shifting the type of paint for a reason and there are significant benefits for everyone involved. Less toxic paint is important and water-based paint is both better for the health and for the environment. For example, the water-based paint reduces the emission of VOCs, improves air quality and reduces the health risk.

But these water-based paints do not only offer benefits for humans and the environment, they also offer benefits to the customers. If the paint is applied in a correct way, it also gives the container a higher quality paint surface, ensures a high shade stability and provides a superior long-term protection of the container.

________

At Greencarrier Liner Agency, we believe in acting in a sustainable way. We have a big focus and concern for the environment, therefore we feel proud to see that our industry is taking responsibility and making these coating adjustments. What are your thoughts about this subject? Comment this article below or in our social media channels.