Telling our stories
Hans Jørgen
Development assistant, LINAK A/S
In spring 1976, Hans Jørgen joined LINAK® as a floor sweeper. He remembers that as a 15-year-old it was nice to earn some money while still in school.
Since then, Hans Jørgen continued his journey with us trying a little bit of everything.
The days fly by. It is always busy, and there is always something new to learn. I am very proud of everything that has happened so far. Oh man, what a development!
In spring 1976, Hans Jørgen joined LINAK as a floor sweeper. He remembers that as a 15-year-old it was nice to earn some money while still in school.
Since then, Hans Jørgen continued his journey with us trying a little bit of everything... He helped paint, drive forklifts, and load trucks until he started his machine operator apprenticeship.
Hans Jørgen has been on quite a journey and remembers the pre-actuator days. That was when the production consisted of grinders and pulleys, and forges and millstones were a standard part of the day. His memories of the first actuators are still clear.
I clearly remember when Bent came to position everything. I had to make the first cogwheel for the actuator. Previously when we worked with millstones, the precision was a bit hit and miss. Then all of a sudden we had to make these small bits and pieces. It was completely different but very exciting, and we just got on with it.
The early actuators were used in forage harvesters; back then, it was hard to imagine what it could lead to.
Hans Jørgen's daily job is closely related to the history of LINAK. Today, he works in Development, and it is often him who makes the first prototype of a new product.
From floor sweeper to development and everything in between - 46 years and still going strong!
Bo Haugaard
Warehouse worker, DESKLINE Logistics, LINAK A/S
For many years, Bo had his daily routine at LINAK. But at the age of 46, he was ready for a new challenge: "I decided to embark on a course to be better off in the future, and maybe even to further my education," says Bo.
As he was already employed by LINAK, it was natural for him to become an apprentice at LINAK - as he says: "I was given the opportunity and I took it."
Bo is employed in the warehouse in goods receipt at LINAK. In his daily job, he can clearly sense how what he learned on the course applies in practice.
I have learned a lot about how storage and storage economics work in a company. It has developed my skills and given me a better insight that I can use in my daily job.
I am delighted that LINAK gave me the opportunity to learn and get an education. I believe that having an education is important and I am delighted, and quite proud, that I got mine now at my age.
Anna Lin
Administration Manager, LINAK China
Working in a Danish company with a century-old history, and with a caring people culture, my happiness index has always been high.
Just in your daily job you get a sense that the employees here hold similar values, such as respect, openness, mutual assistance, and a willingness to adapt. LINAK has created a high degree of freedom and a smooth communication mechanism for us. In this working environment, colleagues can focus on their internal drive, complete work efficiently, and enjoy a good work-life balance.
Mads Iversen
Products & Applications Technician, LINAK Denmark
He began an apprenticeship as an electronics technician at LINAK Denmark when he was 18 years old. Since then, he has worked as a modification worker on special tasks, a service technician and is now LINAK Denmark's primary software developer on projects for customers in the hospital and care sector.
For Mads, there is no doubt that his ongoing development at LINAK has ensured great job satisfaction.
In terms of my career, it has been a fantastic journey for me, and I have without doubt had an impact on my personal development and the daily job I find myself in today. This is actually what LINAK does best – where there is a will, there is also a way.
I had the opportunity to take several courses in how to develop software, before it became my main focus area. The best thing about my job is when I am challenged and allowed to take some responsibility.
Jakob Svennesen
Corporate Director, EP Mechanics, LINAK A/S
A gut feeling can lead to valuable assets that benefit the daily lives of multiple employees at LINAK A/S – and this is just one example of how. Jakob Svennesen had the idea that in-house 3D printers would be a way to achieve greater agility, flexibility, and happy employees. The idea behind the gut feeling was to streamline the print process, so instead of outsourcing print jobs, we could print in-house using our own 3D printer. One thing led to another, and based on a gut feeling, Jakob bought what might be called a hobby printer, The Ultimaker. Hobby printer or not, The Ultimaker has now printed countless amounts of jigs and fixtures and was the first step towards a new journey of in-house 3D printing at LINAK A/S.
Since the start of the 3D printing journey at LINAK A/S in 2018, things have moved quickly. Today we count multiple printers, and we not only print with regular filament but can also print in fiber-reinforced materials as well as rubber and flame-retardant polymers.
Our 3D printers are a valuable asset for numerous departments at LINAK A/S. Our skilful 3D printers print all sorts of parts and gizmos that different departments need. For example, jigs and fixtures for the maintenance team and production lines, cable guides and fixations for the inside of products or other parts needed for ongoing production or development projects, and much more. Basically, any small volume parts that can be 3D printed in-house!
Trends in 3D printing move quickly, so Jakob and his team are keen to stay up-to-date on the topic to see what makes sense for LINAK to invest in - all to ease processes for the employees and to support customers the best way possible.
Erika Perez
Trainee, Sales, LINAK A/S
In September 2021, Erika started her journey as a Trainee in Sales and Marketing at LINAK. However, it was not entirely intentional that her journey would start there:
I think I was at the wrong place at the right time. I was not looking for a trainee position yet, I was helping a friend find a job, and I saw this opportunity and I thought….”wait!..., this sounds perfect for me”. It was everything I was looking for, so I applied. I changed my course from administration to sales, and now when I think about it, that makes a lot of sense as my background is sales. The marketing part is completely new and challenging, and that’s why I love it.
Erika is 41 years old. She is Mexican and stole the heart of a Danish man, with whom she now has two kids. She left everything to start something new in a place she did not know. “Being a trainee in a company like LINAK has opened my eyes and has given me the confidence to believe I can achieve all the goals I set for myself. I see myself as more open to new challenges, less afraid, and more curious”.
However, it can also be challenging, especially because LINAK is located in the southern part of Denmark, where a strong dialect does not always make it easier to learn the Danish language: “It can be a little tough when a lot of my coworkers speak Sønderjysk, which is not what I learned at Danish language school - not fair!” – says Erika with a smile on her face.
Other than learning the Danish language – and being challenged by it – Erika also explains how being a trainee at LINAK has taught her to work in a team, be more structured and more responsible with her time. Furthermore, she explains that sales and marketing is more than it seems to be at first sight: “Sales and marketing is not all about products, or numbers. It is about relationships, trust, and loyalty”.
LINAK develops, designs, and produces electric linear actuators, which can be quite complex to understand when you do not have a technical background. However, it is not an issue when you are surrounded by colleagues who are willing to help: “I admire my colleagues because they know their way around the products and their specifications. Me…? no, not my strongest part”. According to Erika, it is not only her colleagues that are there for her: “ - If you need anything, let me know - , what makes the difference in this saying is that my mentor means it. He does want to help me. He does want me to improve, and I am very grateful for all the times he has come to my desk to help me and answer my questions. I always feel that I can come to him for help, and I feel the same with my other colleagues”.
Even though starting as a trainee at LINAK was not planned, it was the right choice, and Erika encourages others to do the same: “You won’t get anything but great colleagues, great experiences, you will grow both personally and professionally. Who wouldn’t want that?”
Erika has been with LINAK for a few years now, and there is one thing in particular she wants to highlight that makes LINAK such a special place to work: ”The LINAK motto – We Improve Your Life - is completely true, I see it, I live it, I work for it, LINAK is good at improving people’s lives.
