Can you tell us about your normal role and work at Sanyo Special Steel?
I first joined Sanyo Special Steel back in April 2014, and have been working in the steel mill since, for 10 years now! In my first 8 years, I worked as a Process Engineer, overseeing the steelmaking department including melting of scrap, our electric furnaces, secondary refining in LF (ladle refining furnace), and degassing RH (“Ruhrstahl Heraeus” – a type of vacuum degassing method). In the last couple of years however, I have been developing the casting process and working with our continuous casting equipment.
What will be your focus and projects during your time here in Sweden and Ovako? Can you tell us about these projects and what you hope to achieve?
Since I belong to the technical side of PU Black Bar, I would like to improve the yield and reducing the costs at the steel mill first. It will be a difficult task, but I hope to get to understand the Hofors operations better and better, and then hopefully be able to contribute in a good way.
Also, I hope to have some part of the start-up of the new VTD (Vacuum tank degassing) equipment that is scheduled to be installed here in Hofors during the year.
In the last couple of years however, I have been developing the casting process and working with our continuous casting equipment.
What are your first impressions of Ovako?
Ever since I was in Japan, I have had the impression that Ovako is a wonderful company that makes "clean steel." I came to Hofors in June to be able to see the operations, and I understand better why now. Many things are managed in a really good way to be able to make "clean steel," and above all, I think that all the employees work with a real sense of pride. In addition, Ovako is carrying out a production that is very considerate of the environment. Take for instance the new hydrogen plant. I have the impression that Ovako is a company with real history, but at the same time, at the forefront of our current times in many ways.
What do you think of Sweden, the culture, and the people so far?
First, I'm grateful that everyone in Sweden have been, and continue to be, so kind. Especially the people at Ovako, they have really helped me both in my work life and my personal life. But everyone that reads this, please, just call me “Kazu”!
What surprised me the most was that it´s common with a whole month of summer vacation here. This is something that would never happen in Japan, where it's usually (at most) one week! The next thing that surprised me was that sushi is so common to eat here as well. I was also surprised to see that everyone was so good at using chopsticks, which makes me happy as a Japanese person.
The weather was great in the summer, and I've grown to love it, but I haven't experienced the real winter yet, so I'll make a final judgment about the weather when this winter is over!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like watching football and I often watch it on the weekends. Back in Japan, I loved to golf and played about twice a month. There are many great golf courses here in Sweden as well, so I'd like to try them out next spring. Since I moved to Hofors, running has become a hobby of mine. There is a beautiful lake nearby and running around it makes me feel good.