Max Friman joined Norsepower in January 2023, marking his first role in Finland after moving here from Sweden. While adjusting to life and work in a new country, he discovered that Finland's work culture had its own unique rhythm.

"In Sweden, there was a strong 'fika' culture—coffee breaks were a big deal and are a key part of the day, where people gather in the coffee room to chat about work or just life in general," Max reflects. "In Finland, I noticed that people often have coffee at their desks while working. What I appreciate most here, though, is the openness and honesty. If something goes wrong, it’s addressed directly, and we work together to find a solution."

Driving global production

As Head of Product Europe, Max plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of Norsepower’s production processes. He oversees coordination with the company’s factory in China, balancing timelines, costs, and logistics to meet customer needs. "I work closely with sales to determine delivery schedules and pricing. With the team, I ensure that procurement is on schedule, managing holistic planning so our operations in China can run seamlessly.” he explains.

Before stepping into his current role, Max worked as a project manager at Norsepower, where he was responsible for the entire lifecycle of projects. "As a project manager, I communicated directly with clients, shipyards, and classification societies to ensure that everything—from logistics to documentation—was in order. Delivering projects on time and to the highest standards was my responsibility," Max shares. His experience in project management laid the foundation for his transition into a broader leadership role.

A Passion for clean technology and maritime innovation

When Max first moved to Finland, he wasn’t familiar with Norsepower. However, his background in sustainable energy engineering made the company’s mission immediately appealing. "After a couple of months in Finland, I began looking for job opportunities but found it difficult to stand out. I heard about Norsepower through personal connection. After hearing about the company, I knew it was the right fit for me," he recalls.

Max's educational background in sustainable energy engineering made Norsepower’s mission to reduce emissions in the maritime industry particularly appealing. "The maritime industry contributes significantly to global emissions. The opportunity to work on a high-impact solution, like reducing shipping emissions, really resonated with me," he says.

A rising star: two promotions in 18 months

In less than two years, Max has received two promotions—something he attributes to being proactive and taking responsibility. "My first promotion came when the company needed more project managers. I actively expressed my interest in the role by writing an email saying I wanted to take on more responsibility. I had discussions with my former manager, and while there were other candidates, they ultimately chose me. I'm not entirely sure why, but I believe it had to do with my initiative and knowledge of our product."

His second promotion, to Head of Production, followed shortly after. "When the previous head of production left, my manager asked if I’d be interested in stepping into the role. At first, I was a bit hesitant, but after consulting with several colleagues, I decided to take on the challenge. In a growing company like Norsepower, people notice what others are doing, and when new roles open up, they already have an idea of who might be a good fit."

Successes and challenges of leading a growing team

One of Max’s proudest moments at Norsepower was seeing the first rotor sail he worked on in action on a ship. "It was incredible to see the sail spinning and know that I played a part in making that happen."

However, stepping into a leadership role came with its own set of challenges. "This summer was particularly intense because my team was so new, and there was a lot to manage. I was used to doing a lot of the work myself, but I had to quickly learn how to delegate and trust my team. There was a lot happening at once—delivering products while also planning for the future. Thankfully, my team stepped up and took responsibility, which made all the difference."

Max is proud of how his team has grown and how his role has contributed to the company's overall goals. "Our aim is to scale up and transition to line production. Production teams in both China and Finland are crucial to this. My job is to ensure that all processes and logistics run smoothly."

Embracing supervisor role

Max enjoys being a supervisor and finds the experience rewarding, both personally and professionally. "It's been an interesting challenge to develop myself in this role. Being a supervisor is all about understanding what each team member needs to do their job well and safely. Everyone requires different kinds of support and figuring that out is what keeps the role engaging."

A collaborative culture

Max highlights the supportive and open work culture at Norsepower as one of the company’s greatest strengths. "Our team spirit is remarkable. People genuinely enjoy working together, and often spend time together outside of work, for instance fishing or sailing. There’s also a lot of openness here—when mistakes happen, we don’t point fingers. Instead, we focus on solving the problem. The leadership team is always looking for solutions rather than assigning blame."

He recalls a memorable moment when his team members went above and beyond to meet a deadline. "When there’s a lot to get done, people are always willing to step in and help, even when it’s outside their job description. For example, when Akseli had too much on his plate, Harri jumped in to help with packing, even when it was not his job—things like that happen all the time."

Advice for those considering a career at Norsepower

Max encourages anyone considering a career at Norsepower to be proactive and adaptable. "If you enjoy problem-solving and don’t mind getting involved in everything from bolt specifications to logistics, this is a great place for you. It's a very hands-on environment," he says.

Reflecting on his career journey, Max emphasizes the importance of taking the initiative. "The hardest part is often getting your foot in the door. Once you get an interview, it's much easier to stand out. I recommend reaching out to the company directly and asking questions—showing genuine interest and being proactive can set you apart and make you more memorable."

Max also offers a reminder that while passion is important, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance. "If you're working in a field you're passionate about, it's easy to let it consume you. But remember, it’s just a job—it shouldn’t define you completely."

Looking ahead

For now, Max is focused on honing his skills as a manager and further developing Norsepower’s production processes. He enjoys the challenges and growth that come with leading production. "I’m excited about what lies ahead. Scaling up production and refining our operations feels like the right challenge for me at this stage in my career," he concludes.