Supranee creates high-quality wood products

Technical terms, advanced computers and a new language – almost everything was unfamiliar to Supranee Åström when she first set foot in the planing mill six years ago. Having recently moved from Thailand to Sweden, everything felt new, and Supranee laughs as she recalls her first day at the mill.

“That first day felt like being thrown into a whole new world. I didn’t know where to stand, what to do or even what was happening around me. But my colleagues were incredibly helpful, and by asking questions and watching how they worked, I quickly found my way.”

From the planing mill to someone’s home

The message on the door to the planing mill reflects the work that takes place inside. Dedicated operators work with care and confidence to produce products designed to last for many years.

“Every day when I start my shift, I remind myself that I’m here to create world-class products. That brings a deep sense of pride and a constant drive to keep improving,” Supranee explains.

What Supranee appreciates most about the job is seeing how their hard work results in high-quality products. Products that end up on someone’s deck, as exterior cladding on a house or as studs in a new building.

“Seeing a new deck, a beautiful facade or a newly built house and knowing our products are part of it – that makes me proud,” she says.

She especially remembers one moment when she passed a stunning house, only to see that the timber packages outside were marked with SCA SmartTimber.

“When I saw our wood there, I felt an enormous sense of pride. Knowing that what we produce becomes part of someone’s home – that’s a fantastic feeling,” she says.

With focus on ergonomics and safety

Manual labour has always been part of Supranee’s life. At the age of eight, she began working in rice fields in Thailand, building a foundation of strength early on. But at the planing mill, she has learned that strength alone isn’t enough. Technique and ergonomics are just as important to avoid injury.

“Even if you’re strong and your body can handle heavy lifting, you have to think long-term, your body needs to last for many years to come,” says Supranee.

By working more efficiently, physical strain is reduced – which also lowers the risk of injury.

“I’ve found ways to work that are better for the body, and I try to teach others how to do the same, to avoid unnecessary wear and tear,” she says.

It’s no coincidence that Supranee also serves as the mill’s main safety representative, safety is one of her top priorities.

“As the safety representative, it’s my responsibility to help ensure a safe working environment. I never want a colleague to get hurt, so I actively work to identify and prevent risks. Fortunately, we have a manager who takes safety seriously and acts quickly when something needs to be improved,” she says.

For Supranee, the job is more than just a task. It’s about creating high-quality wood products, products meant to last for generations.

“These trees have been growing for 80 years before they reach us. We have a big responsibility to take care of them properly and turn them into sustainable products,” she says.

With her strong commitment to quality, safety and the work environment, she is a vital part of the team at the planing mill. And with every board that leaves production, Supranee and her colleagues make sure that SCA SmartTimber products continue to meet the highest standards, today and in the future.