innovation arkistot

From trainee to sustainability trailblazer

At Nordec, we take pride in fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture and actively support our employees in their professional growth. Our team members, like Michelle Österblad, thrive while contributing meaningfully to our projects. Michelle Österblad’s sustainability journey at Nordec is a great example of how we empower professionals to drive innovation and make an impact.

Michelle’s Journey at Nordec

Michelle Österblad graduated with a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from Novia University of Applied Sciences in May, in Vaasa, Finland. She became interested in Nordec after learning that many students from her school had completed internships here and highly recommended the company. “So, I applied for an internship and started working as a Trainee at Nordec in May 2023. After graduating, I continued working at Nordec as a Designer for a while,” she shares.

Thesis Opportunity and Challenges

During her time as a Trainee, Michelle saw an opportunity to make a greater impact. “I asked for the opportunity to write my thesis for Nordec. One of my colleagues suggested the idea of integrating EPDs into Tekla Structures, which I found interesting since I care for the environment and thought that this could be a step in the right direction for Nordec,” she explains. Tekla Structures is a versatile 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) software used in the construction industry. It allows users to create detailed and accurate 3D models of structures, manage various materials, and generate essential drawings and reports for the fabrication and construction process.

Michelle Österblad’s sustainability journey at Nordec – from trainee to leader. Finnish Constructional Steelwork Association's reward

Her thesis takes a theoretical approach, examining climate regulations in some of Nordec’s largest customer countries. It introduces the concept of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), detailing their production and offering a clear step-by-step guide. Additionally, the thesis proposes a practical system for incorporating EPDs into Nordec’s design process. “This system aims to insert the necessary data for producing elements that comply with specific EPDs, thereby facilitating collaboration among all stakeholders involved in the project process,” Michelle adds.

Michelle encountered challenges during her thesis but overcame them with her colleagues’ support. “One of the main challenges was ensuring the developed system would be useful for all parties in the project process. To address this, I received a lot of help from my colleagues at Nordec. I conducted interviews with people from design, sourcing, and project management to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and find the most efficient solutions,” she notes.

Impact and Future Aspirations

She believes her work will positively influence the construction industry. “As declarations of the environmental impact of building materials become mandatory by law, I believe the system developed is a step in the right direction. While it will likely be further refined, Nordec now has a solid foundation to build upon, including a clear understanding of requirements and how the process should work,” Michelle states.

Throughout her research, Michelle felt encouraged by Nordec. “I got a lot of support from Nordec throughout the entire process. Dan Pada, my supervisor, has extensive knowledge about EPDs and provided critical insights into the integration process. Additionally, I received valuable input regarding the implementation into Tekla Structures from my colleagues at the Vaasa office,” she acknowledges.

Looking ahead, Michelle aims to contribute further to sustainable practices. “I hope I can contribute further to sustainable building by, for example, promoting energy-efficient designs using environmentally friendly materials and solutions. Additionally, I hope I can help Nordec in achieving their sustainability goals further,” she expresses.

Discover More

Michelle’s story reflects Michelle Österblad’s sustainability journey at Nordec and our commitment to nurturing talent and driving innovation in sustainability. If you’re interested in learning more about our sustainability initiatives, visit our Sustainability page. For opportunities to grow with us, explore our Careers page.

For more information about Tekla.

Innovating with AI at Nordec in 2024

At Nordec, our commitment to innovation drives us to continuously improve and provide the best for our employees and customers. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a prominent topic in 2024, with its possibilities and challenges widely discussed. This year, Nordec has made significant progress in integrating AI into its operations through various initiatives and Proofs of Concept (PoCs).

AI Initiatives at Nordec

Many employees have tested Microsoft CoPilot, which integrates AI into Office tools, offering benefits like rapid presentation creation and language translations. We are also developing an interface for natural interaction with our intranet using Azure AI services. In the manufacturing sector, we are exploring AI applications to improve quality assurance processes. Additionally, we are exploring various AI applications to enhance our business processes and decision-making using Salesforce DataCloud.

These initiatives aim to enhance the efficiency of office work, automate repetitive tasks, and provide valuable insights from data. Our AI initiatives are already making a tangible impact, boosting productivity and revolutionizing our processes. While some projects have faced challenges and require further iteration, others have shown promising results and are on their way to productive use.

Next Steps

We will finalize the PoCs and decide on their readiness for productive use. New ideas will continue to emerge, and our understanding of AI’s potential to support our business will become clearer. There will be successes and failures as we innovate and integrate AI into our operations.

As we move forward, our focus remains on leveraging AI to create more efficient and effective solutions for our team and clients.

Nordec showcase in Sweden

Nordec recently held an event in Gothenburg, Sweden, bringing together industry leaders, partners, and stakeholders to discuss and showcase Nordec’s innovative solutions and sustainability goals.

Held at the well-known Platinan building, a project previously constructed by Nordec, the event aimed to visit Nordec’s Park Central site and present our climate goals and Hybrid Frame concept. This concept combines steel, wood, and concrete for efficient and sustainable material use. Additionally, the event sought to strengthen our collaboration with NCC and other partners, emphasizing our shared commitment to reducing carbon footprints and promoting sustainable construction practices.

Over two days, attendees engaged in insightful presentations and discussions. NCC began with an overview of the Park Central project, showcasing the successful collaboration with Nordec. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with NCC expressing their satisfaction with Nordec as their frame contractor.

A detailed site tour of the Park Central construction site provided attendees with a firsthand look at the innovative solutions being implemented and the project’s progress.

Nordec introduced ongoing projects and delved into the sustainability aspects of the work, emphasizing the efforts to reduce carbon footprints and the importance of sustainable practices. This focus on sustainability was a key factor in NCC’s decision to partner with Nordec.

The event concluded with a clear sense of direction. Our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and collaboration was evident throughout, and we look forward to continuing our work with NCC and other partners to achieve our shared goals.

We extend our thanks to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of this event. Special thanks to NCC for their excellent presentation and ongoing collaboration.

Stay tuned for more updates on our projects and initiatives as we continue to build solutions that make a difference.

Tag: innovation