Towards a More Gender-Equal Industry

Fanny has been an employee at Kranpunkten since 2019, but working as a sales representative was not always an obvious career path for her. Previously, she worked at a Montessori school, a job she took immediately after finishing high school. However, after deciding to take a different route, she reached out to a recruitment agency to look for a more administrative role.

Fanny was offered a position, but on the very day she was set to sign the contract, the company was acquired, and the role disappeared. At the same time, her recruitment agency had just received a request for another position they believed was a perfect fit for her: Inside Sales Representative at Kranpunkten.

- Neither I nor the recruitment agency really knew what a lift was or what the industry was about. Once I was hired, it took me quite a while to realize that most people working here were men. The customer base is also male-dominated, and I noticed that much sooner, says Fanny Nyström.

Even though the industry is male-dominated, Fanny sees it as an advantage to be a woman in this field. She is often treated more kindly. However, there have been instances where customers assumed she "didn’t know as much." Those perceptions, however, tend to change very quickly.

My colleagues have always treated me equally and have never made a distinction because I am a woman.

- Among us employees, I don’t notice any difference between men and women at all—just as it should be. My colleagues have always treated me equally. They’ve never made any distinction because I’m a woman or assumed I’d be less competent. On the contrary, they’ve always acknowledged me," Fanny continues.

One challenge for our industry is undoubtedly future skills supply. Fewer young people are pursuing careers in the industrial sector, which could create problems down the line. Kranpunkten hopes that initiatives like our apprenticeship program will help attract more young people, including more women, to the industry.

- In office roles, I think it’s easier to bring in women compared to positions in the workshops. As I mentioned, I didn’t even know what lifts were before I started working here. To me, they were just machines you walked past on the street. However, I believe we can make significant progress by showcasing our work on social media and through advertising. I also think it’s beneficial to attend high school fairs and educate people about the industry. The roles we offer at Kranpunkten aren’t typically something you study for at university, and I think that’s one of the best things about this field. Here, your competence isn’t defined by a piece of paper from school. Everyone is given a chance, Fanny concludes.