New Sales Manager - Nordic Region

Södra Cell welcomes Maria Staxhammar to the role of Sales Manager for the Nordic Region. Following six years as a corporate advisor in Växjö with Nordea, one of Europe’s largest banks, Maria knows a thing or two about working with customers and building long-term relationships: “I really love working with customers and finding solutions which add value to the business,” she says.

Maria grew up in Arvika in Värmland, took a master’s degree in Economics in Karlstad, and then moved south to Växjö at the turn of the century where she has lived since with her husband and children.

So what attracted her to Södra? “As a Swede you grow up knowing the importance of the forest,” says Maria, “and now more than ever, sustainability gives forest products a really strong future. This really appeals to me, as does the flat organisation at Södra for decision-making rather than the top-down culture I have been used to. Also the ownership structure at Södra makes for long-term thinking, which is very positive.

“I have experience of companies within the forest industry sector making long term investments in forest assets in Sweden and the Baltics, so I have built up an understanding of the importance of working with great forest management to achieve a long term return.” 

Maria’s first days at Södra have been spent visiting customers with retiring sales director Lena Nilsson:  “The sheer scale of papermaking operations and the industry as a whole has certainly impressed me.”

In her new role it helps that Maria, along with so many of her compatriots, feels a deep connection with the outdoors. “Time off sees me doing aerobics in groups or in the garden, walking in forests or mountains at home and abroad, or skiing. Outside I’m in my element. But I’m having singing lessons at the moment, too, so rainy days aren’t so bad either!”