Nine employees were honored in November for having worked forty years at Mantena. The jubilee was celebrated with a formal ceremony at Plaza in Oslo.
– For me, this is one of the most important celebrations we have. It is an opportunity to express gratitude and pride in the people who make up Mantena, says CEO Arne Roland.
Over four decades, the jubilarians have contributed to building and developing NSB and later Mantena, from traditional workshop operations to a modern, technology-driven company with high expertise in maintenance and technology for the railway.
– Our most important resource is our people. When someone has remained in their job for forty years, it speaks volumes about both competence and dedication, but also about culture and work environment. I have long looked forward to honoring this year’s jubilarians and their partners, says Roland.
Technological Development
One of this year’s jubilarians, Ivar Stormo, has witnessed the technological development in the railway industry over four decades. He highlights the railway reform and the transition from NSB to Mantena as the biggest milestones.
– The railway I started in and the one we have today are two completely different worlds. Still, the essence has remained the same: skilled people working hard, solving problems, and creating value together, says Stormo.
Ivar Stormo receives a gold watch and congratulations from Guri Langlo and Arne Roland
He emphasizes his colleagues as the biggest and most important driving force.
– I have always looked forward to going to work and I consider that a privilege. Throughout forty years, good and talented people have been an important part of my everyday life and all have enriched my life, he says.
Much has changed since Ivar started, and he has many amusing memories from a completely different era.
– Director General Robert F. Nordén had the largest doormat in the office building outside his office, and his office was as large as a ballroom. I remember having to walk half a marathon from the padded door to his desk the first time he needed help with his computer screen, Ivar recalls with a laugh.
Absolutely everything that left the office had to be proofread by the head of IT, a polite and proper man who kept everything in order. Additionally, all correspondence in foreign languages was sent to IK, the International Office for translation and approval. And air travel was almost unthinkable, Ivar recalls.
– I was sent to a conference in Paris and instructed to take the train, as railway employees had free travel throughout Europe. It took some time, but it was an experience. That says a lot about the cost consciousness at the time, he says.
An industry in rapid development
As operations and safety manager for IT at Mantena, Stormo has seen the industry develop and change. Especially the tremendous progress in digitalization has altered both work methods and the skills required in the industry.
– Today, maintenance is not only about mechanics, but just as much about sensors, data, and analysis. We can detect faults before they occur, optimize operations, and extend the lifetime of equipment. This development has made the work both more complex, but above all, exciting to be a part of, he says.
CEO Arne Roland emphasizes that this development marks the entire industry, and that Mantena is to stay at the forefront.
– In recent years, Mantena has made significant investments in technology and innovation, and the experience of employees like Ivar Stormo has been critical for bridging traditional craftsmanship and modern digital solutions, says Roland.
A Male-Dominated Industry
Another employee celebrating an anniversary is Gro Mette Leret. She started at Sundland in 1985 as a forklift operator and has since had an impressive career in Mantena. She has worked with everything from components and modifications to planning and knows Sundland like the back of her hand.
– I have always liked to keep things organized, she says with a smile. That fits well when working with planning. I like to have oversight, structure, and control; it is simply a part of who I am.
Gro Mette Leret shows off her gold watch
She was one of four women in the workshop when she started, and is the only one still working there. Over four decades, she has combined professional development and leadership, and is described by colleagues as clear, structured, and with a big heart for both people and her profession. Today she is department manager for planning.
– When I started, it was a male-dominated environment. To some extent, it still is, but I have always enjoyed the work environment and my colleagues, she says.
She hopes more women will see how exciting this industry is.
– The railway and maintenance industry offers many exciting opportunities for both professional and personal development. It is a field in great transition, with new technology and increased focus on sustainability. I wish more women would realize how interesting and varied the workday can be here. We need different perspectives, experiences, and skills to further develop the industry, says Gro Mette.
The Work Environment is the Most Important
Several of the jubilarians highlight the work environment as the main reason they have remained at Mantena for so long. This is especially true for the team from Lodalen, who have worked together for most of the past 40 years.
– It is the colleagues that make you enjoy your work, says Nils Ole Morken. – We know each other well and have followed each other through most of our professional lives. It means a lot to have an environment where people know one another, support each other, and move in the same direction.
The Lodalen team describes the workplace as a place characterized by humor, togetherness, and security.
– We have a great atmosphere, a lot of humor, and a culture where we can discuss and disagree, but it is with respect and understanding. It makes it easy to go to work, even after forty years, says Morken.
Good atmosphere at Team Lodalen
Congratulations to this year’s jubilarians
Gro Mette Leret
Ivar Stormo
Vidar Bentengen
Nils Ole Morken
Bjørn Løken
Ivar Sørheim
Trond Andreassen
Tom Erik Fjell
Knut Arild Johannesen