It’s fantastic fun to work with your friends!
Oskar Kling, site manager at GMT
Tell us, how did you end up at GMT?
I previously worked at Peab with many of the people who are now also my colleagues. I accepted the offer to join GMT so I could keep working with the people who make it fun to go to work. That, combined with getting to work in an organisation with shorter, faster decision-making and the chance to make an impact, made me say yes.
What is it like to work with friends you have known for a long time?
It is fantastic fun! Colleagues are everything. No matter how big or small a problem is, work-related or private, I know that my colleagues will step up and help out. I am convinced that having that kind of working climate is a winning concept.
Tell us how you work towards your vision, to lead the development towards more sustainable construction for future generations?
We work to always optimise resources in the projects we carry out, through circular construction. We think in-situ, on site. I believe in first and foremost always addressing the problems that already exist where they are. That reduces transport, environmental impact and a range of other factors that would otherwise only result in the problem being moved elsewhere. In-situ techniques are well suited both for remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater and for stability-enhancing measures in, for example, soft clays and other masses with insufficient technical properties.
In what way do you feel you contribute to more sustainable construction?
We try to optimise resources in every project we carry out. The greatest effect is achieved when we can discuss different approaches with the client at an early stage, approaches that can generate climate savings. In the production phase there is a strong focus on transport and well-functioning logistics. This, combined with daring to be innovative and to look at alternative technical solutions that reduce our climate footprint, is how we contribute to more sustainable construction.
Which of your services and special skills are you most proud of?
I am proud of being able to be a complete partner across all of our areas. On a project in Nyköping, for example, where we carried out soil remediation together with Geoserve AB, it was great to sit down with the client and consultants at an early stage and review different proposals for measures and methods. Once the method and action plan are drawn up, we work together with the client to design the documents required to implement the plan. When the design is finished and the documents approved, we are on site carrying out the work. We are involved throughout the whole process.
On another project, the Svanen car park, we were also involved at an early stage together with the client and consultants during the design phase. We helped with cost assessments and expertise to give the project the best possible conditions. This work, combined with skilled structural engineers and clients, meant that we saw the results of thorough preparation during the production phase itself. The work ran without any notable disruptions from start to finish. Because we had a complete undertaking for groundwork, foundation and concrete works, it gave us a very good opportunity to create efficient production from start to finish.
You are spread across projects all over the country, how do you make company culture, internal communication and being a strong team work?
It is a challenge, but phone calls and Teams meetings are an advantage, and we try to arrange get-togethers as often as possible, where the priority is spending time together and having a good time. My experience is that the fewer obligations on the agenda at these meetings, the more positive work-related discussions come up. I am convinced that contact paths within the organisation become shorter, company culture is built, and many important problems and solutions surface that improve us as a company and a team.
How do you find the cooperation within the group with the other companies?
Of the companies I have worked with in the group, it has worked very well. It is great to have so many companies where we can complement each other and help out on complex projects.
What exciting things are you working on right now?
Right now I am on my way to Farsta, where we have an exciting new project with both groundwork and foundation work for future rental housing!
