Insights from a few women across the Vaski Group
Success in manufacturing isn’t just about the technology; it’s about the people who drive our innovation every day. For International Women’s Day, we are sharing insights from a few of the incredible women within the Vaski Group.
We sat down with them to talk about their paths in the industry, what it’s like to work in manufacturing today, and their advice for the next generation of leaders.
Ana Granvik
General Legal Counsel and HR Director
How would you describe your day-to-day work in one sentence?
Intense, every day is a different story.
What led you to a career in the manufacturing industry?
Destiny, I didn’t plan it, but once I entered the industry, it felt like exactly the right place to be.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
I enjoy the constant challenges and the complexity of solving problems where business, people and fast-paced growth intersect. There is no routine here.
What is one thing about this industry that surprised you?
How much room there is for innovation. From the outside, manufacturing can look traditional, but once you’re inside you realise it’s full of complex technology and people with beautiful and innovative minds.
What advice would you give to other women considering a leadership role in this industry?
Don’t wait for permission or to feel “fully ready”. Leadership comes from taking responsibility before you feel comfortable. Learn the business deeply, focus on delivering results and speak up, even when you’re the only woman in the room. Competence builds credibility.
Malin Arnrud
Site Director
How would you describe your day-to-day work in one sentence?
My days are varied and rewarding, filled with interactions with colleagues and customers that truly drive me forward.
What led you to a career in the manufacturing industry?
With a passion for technology, I appreciate how this industry makes the path from innovation to finished product so visible.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
I appreciate being involved in all parts of the business and seeing the company grow and evolve.
What is one thing about this industry that surprised you?
I’ve been genuinely surprised by how far innovation has taken the industry toward more efficient and greener production.
What advice would you give to other women considering a leadership role in this industry?
Take the first step. There are so many opportunities to grow within the industry, and my advice is simply to go for it.
Hanna-Leena Islander
Group Operations Director
How would you describe your day-to-day work in one sentence?
I operate at the intersection of strategy and shop floor execution — ensuring our end-to-end value chain performs predictably and that teams operate in sync.
What led you to a career in the manufacturing industry?
I was drawn in by the immediate and measurable impact manufacturing has on customer value, competitiveness and business performance — it’s where decisions turn directly into results.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
I enjoy developing high-performing operating models and growing leadership capabilities. Seeing how these improvements elevate our long-term performance is deeply rewarding.
What is one thing about this industry that surprised you?
How multidisciplinary machine building truly is. Mechanical design, automation, sourcing and service must operate as one system; even small misalignments can impact the entire delivery.
What advice would you give to other women considering a leadership role in this industry?
Step forward with confidence. You don’t need to fit a predefined mold to succeed in manufacturing leadership. Clarity, accountability, and the courage to make decisions are powerful assets — and so are different backgrounds and ways of thinking.