Starting my journey as a Global Graduate at SKF


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Hi everyone!

My name is Sören and since August 2019 I am a Global Graduate at SKF. Though originally from Germany, I have spent the last 5 years studying in Sweden finishing with a master’s degree in Data Science from the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers.

The First Rotation

During my first rotation, I am at my “home” department in Gothenburg working on technologies that are enabling SKF’s Rotating Equipment Performance (REP) strategy. With REP we are moving from selling bearings to our customers to selling reliable rotation. This means that we apply our knowledge from many years in different industries and cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to keep the machines of our customers running as long as possible. Thereby we create a win-win for our customers and SKF.

As my first project, I am investigating the business impact our machine learning models are having. This is a very interesting project since it includes finance and technology across different parts of SKF. This was one of the major reasons for me to apply to the graduate program at SKF. It is possible to use your knowledge and skills in different environments.

The program gives us a truly holistic view of SKF. Last week, I had the chance to experience working as an operator in one of our factories. Here, I could see how large-size bearings are produced and assembled. Especially, the assembling can be a tough job with bearings weighting more than 300kg and the shift starting at 05:48 in the morning. However, I could also witness that the operators are happy working for SKF. Not only the focus on safety but also the amount of responsibility and trust given to the operators create a great working climate. In SKF, empowerment is definitely not an empty word but is applied throughout the company!

What’s to come

While I am enjoying my time here in Sweden, I am looking forward to my upcoming rotations. My next stop will be China where I will be leading my own project developing a computer vision application using artificial intelligence. I am excited to be deep-diving into our manufacturing process in the context of Industry 4.0. Since my rotation is split I will spend 2 months in India working with improving our bearings’ quality, getting yet another perspective.

For my third rotation, it is time to return to the REP. This time though, I will be working in our sales unit in Latin America learning about our customers’ needs in different industries. As you can see, the program throws you into different demanding challenges. However, my experience until now has shown me that we always get great support. This can be from our managers, mentors or co-workers.  

SKF Global Graduates Wave 4

As you probably already guessed from the posts of the others, having a group of graduates going through the program with you makes it an even better time. Judging from the introduction month, all the gatherings between the rotations here in Gothenburg will be a lot of fun which is definitely not limited to regular working hours 😉. Additionally, it is great to exchange experiences we make in our monthly online meetings. This gives us an even broader view of the company and shows us we are not the only ones facing challenges!

Daria and me at the student fair GADDEN at Handelshögskolan

In conclusion, even being at SKF for a fairly short time I have gotten a good insight into the company and it is fun to work here. I am looking forward to the next 2 rotations in 3 different countries getting an even more global perspective.

I hope this gave you a bit of an insight into the life of a graduate at SKF.

Cheers,

Sören  

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What a starting!


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Bonjour de France,

My name is Cosmina and I am an SKF Global Graduate, wave 4!

I have a background in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Bologna. Although I mainly studied in Italy, I also spent one year studying in the lovely Gothenburg!

Looking professional at the HQs in Gothenburg

My journey in the Global Graduate Programme has started just 3 months ago, but since the very beginning it was exciting and I got the feeling this journey would be great!

During my first week in SKF, I started in Italy and travelled already to France and Sweden. What an incredible kick off!

For the introduction month all graduates from all over the world, from China to Kazakhstan, gathered in Gothenburg at the HQs to get an overview on the company.
We met the management team with whom we had very inspirational talks and we felt empowered to make the difference.

Wave 4 trying to look engaged in meaningful conversations while shooting some advertising pictures

We attended so many funny events during which we got to know each other and started to build our network in the company.

First approach of French gastronomy in Gothenburg

The programme is truly global. We get to work daily with people from different cultures and to be in at least three different countries throughout the rotations.

Even if normally the first rotation would be in your home country, in my case Italy, I started with my first rotation in France. Here, I am part of a project which aims to develop a new facility meant to centralize the realization of prototypes in the Aerospace organization. Although at the end of the program I will work in Sales, working on this project provides me with insights on Manufacturing and Quality.

While I am in France, I am also taking the chance to get to know better the culture, learn French, taste good wine and travel!

Hannah, me and Hossem visiting Paris!

I feel very lucky to be part of this programme. It’s a great way to kick start my career in a truly international environment and to develop friendships across the world! Can you imagine a better starting?

Please feel free to ask questions, I will be glad to answer to all of them!

Au revoir!

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From automation to saving polar bears, My SKF graduate journey


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Hi all,

My name is Carl Philip Fredborg and I am a Global Graduate at SKF. I’m an engineer from KTH in Stockholm where I studied production engineering & management. Let me tell you about my journey in the SKF graduate program.


First rotation

When I joined SKF the first weeks were reserved for getting to know SKF, the other graduates and trainings. These weeks were intense in many ways but also rewarding.

Wave 3

I spent my first rotation at the central function Manufacturing and Process Development. Here my main project was to map the gap between today’s automated production and full autonomy. The project gave me a lot of insights into the bearing production of SKF, automation and obviously bearings. But more importantly, learning about the importance of effective and high-quality production plants.


Second rotation

In my second rotation I joined the IoT development team in Schweinfurt Germany. Here I was working with a connectivity project for our factories. Briefly explained; we were developing a device that enables SKF to utilize the power of the cloud on a shop floor level. My responsibility was to finalize the operation model for this device. This area was something completely new for me and I learned a lot about IT, IoT, industry 4.0 and what all of this means for SKF, both in terms of opportunities and challenges.

Photo of me, Albin, Ginevra, Melissa and our new German friends in Munich

Third Rotation

On my third and last rotation I am working with our latest acquisition, RecondOil. This is a clean-tech startup that has invented and patented a process that enables circular recovery of oil and the re-use of industrial oils with its original properties. In other words, we can use oil again, again and again where traditionally it has only been used once. By utilizing this technology, we can cut carbon emission with up to 90%.

Oil from a customer before and after treatment

At RecondOil I’m working with the implementation into our own factories where we are consuming industrial lubricants. We are expecting to see benefits in three areas: less spend on industrial lubricants, less CO2 emissions and better process quality. I’m really excited about this sustainable technology and I believe we can make a difference for our own manufacturing plants and customers but also the polar bears.

Tomas, R&D manager of Recond Oil, explaining the technology

That was all from me, If you have any questions feel free to reach out.

Over and out!

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One year anniversary!


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Servus Traineebloggen!

My name is Albin, currently working from Germany as part of the Global Graduate Program – Wave 3 in SKF. Born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden approximately 6km away from the birthplace of SKF. I have now been in SKF for one year and time flies. The next wave of global graduates starts soon, and I remember thinking when I started, how far away 1,5 years felt like. That’s the length of the total program covering an introduction month and three different rotations, five months each. My fellow global graduate colleagues have been explaining more in-depth about this earlier, so I will focus on some personal reflections instead.

The three Swedish graduates of Wave 3. From the left, me, Josefin, Carl-Philip

So, one year in what are my key takeaways from this program?

  • Exposure. This is not at all as starting as a graduate at a “normal” position. The possibility to get to learn and discuss with people from the very top of the organization from day one is a great inspiration source, especially for a leadership geek like me!
  • Seriousness. This is not like school and despite that the purpose foremost is to learn, you are always working in real, global and very important projects throughout the program. For me, it is easier to learn by really testing or implementing something, rather than sitting in the library reading about it.
  • Happiness. We are a group of ten very different individuals. But every time when we meet up we have a lot of fun together. Also, the support from nine others, going through almost the same roller coaster ride as you, is great. Especially since we all have different perspectives and was to look at things.
Hiking in the alps with some graduate colleagues

And what are my key takeaways about SKF as a company?

  • Transformation. There is a lot of things happening in the industrial sector. If you want to see and learn how digitalization truly can change a business, SKF is the right place to be.
  • Skilled. There is so many knowledgeable people and experts at SKF and you will always be amazed and humbled when meeting different persons. The cool thing though is that everyone is still listening to you as a newcomer, fresh from UNI.
  • Global. Do you want to travel the world? Meet and speak to people from different nationalities and cultures every day? I am feeling blessed by having the possibility to do those things, while I am working. We are present in around 130 different countries. Just take a minute or two to think about that.

So, what have I been up to? My first rotation took place in Gothenburg at our head office, working with product data and implementing an information management system. My second rotation is close to an end now. I have been spending five months in Germany at our biggest site in Schweinfurt. Here I have been working with the Internet of Things team on a connectivity project as a part of our journey to Industry 4.0.

Cinnamon buns made by me and my Swedish graduate colleague Philip

For my third and final rotation, I will be moving to Jakarta, Indonesia. There I will spend five months driving different digitalization projects related to our customers. I am sure that it will be a big challenge, both culture and technology-wise since the Indonesian market is very different in those aspects comparing to both Sweden and Germany. However, I am excited since I believe that we can produce a great amount of value by sharing thoughts, ideas and best practices in a multi-cultural environment. With SKF being present in more than 130 countries, we are truly multi-cultural. But still, we share the same values: high ethics, empowerment, openness and teamwork.

Would you like to be a part of the SKF family? Do not miss out the great opportunity to become a Global Graduate. I know at least that I have not looked back with regrets.

All the best,

Albin Sävhage

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