Monica Svenner is new MD of Damen Shiprepair Götaverken

Written by Nick Blenkey

Monica Svenner MD-Damen GotaverkenJULY 19, 2012 — Monica Svenner has been appointed as the new managing director of Damen Shiprepair Götaverken, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Ms. Svenner has wide industrial experience and has been MD of several international companies, such as Stena Recycling and Atlas Copco. She is the first woman to take an MD post within the ship repair industry and as a Gothenburger she has a burning ambition for her new company.

The current MD, Jos Goris, says his successor has “extensive experience in leadership and business development within a variety of organizations and industries, particularly within heavy industry. This means that she can bring new approaches and innovation, which is extremely positive for Damen Shiprepair Götaverken.

“It is also particularly good having an MD from Gothenburg who is internationally respected for her experience, the perfect mix,” he adds.

Mr. Goris is moving on to become the MD for the newly acquired French shiprepair facility Damen Shiprepair Brest. Damen took over the operations of this French yard, formerly known as Sobrena, three months ago. Damen Shiprepair Brest employs 210 workers and operates three large graving dry docks, the largest measuring 420 m x 80 m.

Ms. Svenner sees great development potential in Damen Shiprepair Götaverken and has accepted the assignment “with excitement and enthusiasm.” Her main driving forces are improving businesses, developing and managing organizations and helping people to move forward.

“Profitability is A to Z,” she says, “but developing a company also requires modern leadership, development of the employee’s competence and an efficient organization to provide all the services that the market requires. This will give increased efficiency and, in the long term, a stronger trademark.”

Ms. Svenner grew up in São Paulo ,Brazil, where her family moved in 1956 when her father was offered the job of starting up a factory. She moved back to Sweden at the age of 18 to study chemical engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg. When in Gothenburg, she met her husband and the town has remained her home base while working in all parts of the world.

In addition her degree in chemical engineering, Ms. Svenner has teaching degrees in mathematics, chemistry and physics. She has worked at companies such as Volvo Cars, Wicanders and Mölnlycke Health Care and within areas such as research & development, organization and business development. She has been a quality manager, factory manager and, for 10 years, an MD in companies with turnovers of up to 8 billion SEK, with employees numbering from 80 to 1.100 persons.

Damen Shiprepair Götaverken currently has 130 employees and a turnover of 300 million SEK. During the last five years, the company has had a positive result trend, with a minor exception in 2011 due to market recession. The Götaverken company was founded as early as 1841. Since the shipyard reopened in 1993 – with 70 employees – more than 1,000 assignments have been performed, including repairs, maintenance and reconstruction of various types of vessels.

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