Meet the employee!
Jan Tengborg – Sales Engineer, Spare Part Sales, Trident BMC
This long-time team member has dedicated 49 years to the company. Over the course of an impressive career, he has experienced numerous changes — from his early days as a young electrician at the shipyard to his growth into a respected expert and leader.
This interview shares a story, experiences, and insights that can inspire the next generation of engineers.
There have, of course, been a lot of different projects, travels, and situations over the years, but I would say that meeting all kinds of people stands out — and I’ve made friends for life.
Q: When you started working at the company, what were your beginnings like?
A: I started at Götaverken’s ship repair yard in Gothenburg on August 16, 1976. It began with a two-year training to become a ship electrician. Since then, there have been a number of mergers, restructurings, and name changes between different companies, which has resulted in me now wearing the Trident BMC logo on my T-shirt.
Q: Looking back to when you first joined the company, what had your journey been like up to that point?
A: I worked as an electrician for 17 years, with assignments at the four shipyards we had in Gothenburg at the time, among other responsibilities. I was then offered the chance to start working with the purchase of materials for our projects and installations. This later developed into sales of electrical equipment. At the beginning of the 2000s, our head office was in Uddevalla, north of Gothenburg, while we continued to have a workshop and office in Gothenburg. In 2004, I took over as site manager at the office in Gothenburg. At that point, we were approximately 30 men servicing the shipyards, ship owners, and shipping companies with electrical service, installations, and electrical equipment in our area. In 2012, the merger with our HVAC department took place, and I then took over as sales manager in the spare parts department. In 2023, I felt it would be nice to step away from managerial responsibility and took a step back to work as a sales engineer, focusing on spare parts sales. I have greatly benefited from all the experience I’ve gained in the roles I’ve held and in what I do now.
Q: Your journey has been truly inspiring and shows how far hard work can take you. I’m also curious — what made you decide to join this particular company?
A: I was 16 years old and had to choose an education. The education offered by the industries in Gothenburg – SKF, Volvo, and the shipyards – also included a monthly salary, which was tempting at the time. I sometimes regret that I didn’t study further at university, but it has gone well anyway. The job has been very exciting since then, because no two days were ever the same, and I met many interesting people from different parts of the world. I have also had many different exciting tasks, which meant that I was often “new on the job” and had to learn new things.
Q: Over all these years, the company, industry, and technologies have changed a lot.
A: The shipyards in Gothenburg have been gone for many years, and the shipping industries in our region have decreased. On the areas where the shipyards once were, there are now nice homes and other businesses. There are a lot of ship owners nearby for whom we provide some service, but most of our business is abroad these days. There is less contact with the people onboard nowadays, and the customers are organizing their purchases through different purchasing systems, which I think is sad because you miss that personal contact.
Q: And the department you work in — how has it evolved over the years?
A: There are a lot of people and many personalities who have come and gone during all these years. You’ll probably miss all the old and new friends the most when you decide to retire. Both colleagues and customers. Today’s colleagues are great, and it’s a joy to come to work and chit-chat.
Q: During such a long career, you’ve surely had many interesting projects.
A: There have, of course, been a lot of different projects, travels, and situations over the years, but I would say that meeting all kinds of people stands out — and I’ve made friends for life.
Q: Since relationships have been so important, I’m wondering—how has your role within the company changed over time?
A: I wasn’t very tough when I came to the yard as a young man. You learned quickly — both good things and sometimes not so good ones. When I started working in the office, it was a totally different environment, and I had to learn new things. One of the most significant changes was when I became a manager and had to be the boss of my former colleagues — not always easy.
Q: I can imagine that wasn’t easy at all. And what about the technology?
A: All the technical changes and tools — both for the people in the field and for those in the office — have, of course, made the work easier. I’m old enough to remember when the mobile phone and the internet were two big changes.
Q: I believe those were real game changers. You probably also notice how expectations for engineers have changed. What skills are key in your work today that weren’t needed before?
A: I don’t know. Engineers today have a good education. They need experience. There is often more work and fewer people, with a time pressure on the projects.
Q: And finally: if you could give one piece of advice to young engineers just starting their careers, what would it be?
A: Always keep an open mind, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and listen to your more experienced colleagues.
Q: Jan, thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. Your dedication and experience are truly admirable. We wish you continued success!
A: Thank you!
Interview conducted by Agata Dzienski, Marketing Specialist at Trident BMC
