Snapshot: Christer Thörn
We talk to the new mill manager of Södra Cell Mönsterås.
Name: Christer Thörn
Current position: Mill Manager, Södra Cell Mönsterås
Born: Hässleholm, 1966
Education: Retired from the armed forces, industrial background at TetraPak and PartnerTech
Likes: The forest and spending time outdoors, supporting my daughters, riding my motorbike and days out at the beach
What does the forest mean to you?
I grew up with the forest literally on the doorstep of our family home. It means a lot to me. It’s a place where I often go to recharge my batteries and exercise. The forest is always full of life and variety, no two days are the same.
How will your professional background benefit Södra Cell Mönsterås?
The pulp mill is a huge workplace with a profound competence base, specialist and very dedicated employees. My contribution is to develop our culture, structure and enhance customer values as well as owners’ equity. In the end, it boils down to ensuring customer satisfaction and thereby contributing to our customers’ success.
What is your vision for the future?
Given the Covid pandemic, the old saying “work with what you have” drives my agenda today. My focus is on improving our internal processes, quality and cost while strengthening our industrial base to be resilient and flexible for what the future might bring. We would like to add even more value to each log we process.
How do you see the relationship between Södra’s forest owner members and customers?
It’s a very close relationship. To create value for our owners we need to be relevant for our customers. Our owners have a long-term view of their forest assets. By meeting our customers’ demands, we make them successful. Success breeds success. And by doing so, we create value for all our stakeholders.
What is the biggest challenge ahead?
It’s a double-edged sword in a way. On one hand, we need to strive relentlessly for sustainable growth: that means the whole value chain needs to grow together. On the other hand, we make a fantastic sustainable product but we aren’t that vocal about it. We could do more to share our story.
What does the Södra logo mean to you?
Pride and joy. There is so much behind it. Members with their forests, all the people and equipment involved in the logistical side of our operations, our employees at Södra and our customers and their customers.
It’s a privilege to be in my position, building future value. As a leader I believe in being focused on the long-term success of the business.
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Subjects: Pulp
