Meet Magnus Bernhardsson
Magnus is the carpenter and motorhome mechanic who changed direction and became a service technician in water treatment. Since joining the company in 2020, he has grown into the role of Senior Technician, thanks to his extensive practical knowledge of water treatment.
– What drew me to Swedish Hydro Solutions was mainly the good cause — that you’re doing something for the environment and something that genuinely matters in the world.
Craftsmanship is the common thread throughout Magnus’ working life. For many years, he alternated between carpentry work in house and apartment renovations and renovating and maintaining motorhomes. But in 2020, he learned that Swedish Hydro Solutions was looking for a service technician.
– I thought it sounded exciting and interesting, so I went there and talked to them.
Magnus Bernhardsson says proudly that it was the good cause that motivated him to apply.
– That you’re doing something for the environment and something meaningful in the world. It feels like important work — and like the company itself has a strong vision for the future.
It was during the application process that he first heard about Swedish Hydro Solutions’ innovative technique for treating stormwater and dewatering water using chitosan extracted from crab shells from the food industry.
– The first time I heard about it, it sounded almost too good to be true. It’s fascinating that it works — especially that you can find a new use for a residual product. You don’t have to produce something new; it’s simply about finding a use for what already exists.
A varied job with strong relationships
Working as a service technician at Swedish Hydro Solutions means alternating between fieldwork and tasks in the workshop or office in Alingsås. For Magnus, no two days look the same — and he likes that.
– The work shifts from day to day, and the change of environment is something I really enjoy.
In the workshop, new equipment is built. Out in the projects, there is usually a problem that needs to be resolved — a sensor that needs calibration, or a pump that needs to be replaced.
Most often, it’s the project manager who has daily contact with the customer and receives information that something needs attention. The project manager then contacts Magnus and his colleagues, who go out to take a look. Magnus talks to the customer, explains what he’s going to do and roughly how long it will take.
– There’s usually some nice conversation too. Since you often meet the same people out in the field, you build a relationship with them as well.
Once the issue is resolved, Magnus reports back to the contractor about what has been fixed.
Communicative, handy, solution‑oriented
That’s how Magnus describes the qualities required in his work as a service technician.
– Not being all thumbs definitely helps. There are rarely obvious solutions — you often have to try things out and sort it out on site with whatever you have in the car and your toolbox.
Making quick decisions is part of what makes the job exciting, Magnus believes.
– It’s exciting. When something is urgent, you can’t stand around thinking for too long — sometimes things turn around very quickly.
It feels like I can talk about almost anything with my colleagues. You have friends and family, of course, but with colleagues you get close in a different way. You build a completely different kind of relationship — one that brings both value and joy.
— Magnus Bernhardsson, First Technician, Swedish Hydro Solutions
A great team, even at a distance
Magnus Bernhardsson describes the team at Swedish Hydro Solutions as a wonderful group that works well together and enjoys each other’s company. One of his fondest memories is the company conference on the island of Vinga in the Gothenburg archipelago, which they managed to carry out despite Covid‑19 and the accompanying restrictions.
– We stayed overnight, fished for mackerel, and had a really nice dinner. It was fantastic. This past year hasn’t been the easiest for planning activities — we’ve had to adapt — but we still made it work.
Focus on learning and understanding
After six months as a service technician, Magnus still felt fairly new in the role. He hadn’t had time to think about long‑term goals — his focus was on learning the basics and understanding the bigger picture.
– I wanted to feel confident in what I was doing. There were different systems to get to know — sampling, sensors, the chemistry side — things I had never worked with before.
He remembers how many questions came up in the beginning — things he didn’t know at the time but gradually learned to understand:
– If I add this chemical, why does the water react this way? Is it our process, or something else?
A key part of the learning process was the open dialogue at the workplace — something that still remains.
– It’s always easy to talk to colleagues. If someone encounters something unusual, we discuss it and share experiences. I learn best by doing, but having information in the back of my mind helps a lot too.
He describes the work environment as safe and supportive — a place where everyone helps one another and where strong relationships are easy to build.
– It feels like I can talk about almost anything with my colleagues. You have friends and family, of course, but with colleagues you get close in a different way. You build a completely different kind of relationship — one that brings both value and joy.
Can you say there is a learning culture at Swedish Hydro Solutions?
– Yes, absolutely. There’s none of that attitude of “I know this, this is my thing.” Instead, everyone works toward making sure we all know as much as possible.
Meet our co-workers
Meet Erik Tholén
Erik Tholén is a geoscientist who became an environmental inspector, then an insurance salesperson and now works as project manager since 2018.
Meet Andreas Pettersson
Andreas has been with the company since the beginning and now works as a project manager, responsible for several of our most complex water treatment projects.
Meet Lina Hamel
Lina has over 15 years of experience in environmental and dewatering. Since 2022 she is a key team member with strong broad environmental expertise.