Embracing the Challenge: Meet Machine Operator Henrik Svensson

With two decades of manufacturing experience, Pipelife Sweden's Machine Operator Henrik Svensson has become an esteemed asset to the company. His extensive knowledge in various areas of plastic pipe production has become invaluable in his current role overseeing the manufacturing of large-diameter HDPE infrastructure pipes. As with bigger pipes comes greater responsibility, we sat down with Henrik to uncover his approach to managing one of Pipelife's most specialized production processes.

_{Career Journey of 20 Years}

Henrik joined Pipelife Sweden in 2004, right after completing studies at Kunskapskällans Industrial Engineering High School, and started his career in injection molding. His dedication and eagerness to learn soon opened new career opportunities, first in logistics and later in extrusion departments. 

When Pipelife Sweden introduced large-diameter infrastructure pipe production in 2024, Henrik's broad experience, problem-solving mindset and positive attitude made him a natural fit to lead the new line as a machine operator.

"I thought it would be interesting to try doing even bigger stuff and have a little challenge in life," he recalls with a smile. 

_{Crafting Precision and Strength}

The large-diameter HDPE pipes are one of the flagship products of Pipelife's production site in Ljung. The imposing-looking pipes can have an inner diameter ranging from 600 to 3600 millimeters, whereas the standard lengths are 6 and 12 meters. Depending on the application area and customer preferences, the spiral-wound pipes can be made from either virgin or fully recycled PE.

Large-diameter pipes are produced by winding a hollow-extruded rectangular profile around a heated, rotating mandrel. The technology allows for achieving high ring stiffness combined with relatively low product weight, minimizing the environmental footprint. Furthermore, the homogenous welding technology applied by Pipelife Sweden ensures the pipe's superior impact strength compared to similar products on the market.

While handling the many parameters of large-diameter pipe production might overwhelm some machine operators, Henrik has genuinely embraced the diverse nature of his job. Ensuring every large-diameter pipe rolling out of the factory meets customer specifications is a quest he loves to solve. 

"It's mainly about having a real challenge in manufacturing — so many things have to fit together. First, you produce a square profile, which then becomes a round tube with smooth inner and outer surfaces. And the final product must be of high quality," Henrik sums up. 

_{Teamwork in Action}

The broad application spectrum of large-diameter pipes means that close collaboration with colleagues from other departments is part and parcel of Henrik's day. The product is commonly used for sewer and drainage lines as well as for custom requests — such as tailor-made water reservoirs, pumping stations, wells and chambers.

Henrik credits open communication and mutual respect as essential to the Ljung team's success. According to him, sharing ideas and expertise helps identify the best approach for each production task:

"To make it work within the team, it's important to talk to each other and discuss what can be done better. To be open to other people's ideas while they remain open to mine. Usually, it works really well."  

_{Passion for Craft and Creation}

Henrik's creative, hands-on personality also shines through after the working hours are over. In his free time, he enjoys tending to his farm and 3,000-square-meter garden. Often, he can be spotted working in his self-built greenhouses or restoring old buildings on his property. With a smile, he admits that passion for tinkering and producing things can be contagious.

When asked what makes him satisfied and proud in his work, Henrik immediately has an answer at hand:

"It feels great when you're happy with the product you have made and receive praise from above. When you really enjoy the product you're creating, [work] becomes truly fun."