In Vaasa, the IEC LV Motors factory carries global responsibility for manufacturing and product development of ABB's low-voltage motors for demanding applications. Every year, approximately 75,000 customized high-efficiency motors are shipped from Vaasa.
Ten years ago, following his graduation from a vocational school as an automation technician, Matias Krankkala applied for summer jobs at the motors factory and his career in the factory's paint shop has continued since then. Over the years, Matias has painted a huge number of motors, dozens every day. “I have seen colors from pink to lime, because we paint the motors in exactly the color that the customer wants. This is how they fit with their space and brand image,” says Matias.
Nowadays, he works as a painting robot operator and chooses the right painting programs for the robot. “However, for the time being, the robot can only paint with the basic blue color of the motors.” According to Matias, using robots in the paint shop is a good thing.
“Automation and robotics have increased at all stages of production, so why not in painting,” Matias Krankkala says. “We work well in unison.”
“An actual human is needed to guide the robot and to complete work quickly at the narrowest points, so it hasn’t taken my work. Painting with a robot, on the other hand, reduces any strain on the shoulders and elsewhere in the musculoskeletal system,” praises Matias.
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Miska Saarela and Matias Krankkala enjoy their work at the Vaasa motors factory. Both have recently been on ABB's global paid family leave, Miska after the birth of his fourth child and Matias after the birth of his first. 
The motors arrive at the paint shop along the track. Matias Krankkala, who has graduated as an automation technician, has 10 years of experience in painting ABB’s motors. 
Miska Saarela winds an electrical wire inside the engine. The work requires skill and precision. 
As a painting robot operator, Matias chooses the right painting programs for the robot and monitors the result of the work. Protective equipment is used when finalizing the paint job. 
Miska has graduated as a machinist and likes to work with his hands.
From training to a permanent job
Four years ago, Miska Saarela, a machinist, ended up in the motors factory. “I longed for a new direction in my career and became interested in ABB's winding course. So I gave up my permanent job elsewhere to gain a new profession. Having learned winding, I was offered a permanent role at the motors factory. Since then, I have been working in winding,” remembers Miska about arriving at ABB.
In the winding, the electrical conductor is wound onto a spool inside the motor. “It’s precision craftsmanship that requires special knowledge and care. That's why the course lasts a year,” explains Miska. “In addition, all the factory tasks were explained during the course, which was great. This way I know how the motor as a whole is assembled, and what the significance of each individual’s work is.”
”I like to work with my hands and see the results. Also, only a single day shift is done in the winding, which suits my life situation as a father of four,” notes Miska Saarela.
Work supports family life
As a part of the Global Diversity & Inclusion Strategy 2030, the gender-neutral global parental leave program is based on ABB’s value Care, building a fairer and more inclusive working environment. The program aims to support parenthood regardless of gender and family structure. Each employee globally, who is given the primary and ongoing responsibility for the care of the newborn or newly adopted minor child under 3 years of age, shall be granted 12 weeks of paid leave following birth or adoption. Each secondary caregiver shall be granted 4 weeks of paid parental leave. This has provided a new opportunity to be at home longer following the birth of a child also for Matias and Miska.
“After all, when a child arrives in your life, it’s an exciting and unique time. What better help for a family than being able to support and get to know a new person with the support of your employer for a month,” they say. “It’s also worth noting how conveniently the practical arrangements for family leave were managed by ABB. Everything is handled with one single form.”
“We definitely encourage others to take family leave as well. It’s good for the family, for the employee, and for a change of pace. After a month, you return to work with renewed enthusiasm,” say Matias and Miska, praising their spouses.
The men also appreciate the practices of a large employer regarding worktime equalization, as well as flexible working hours. Production work requires a good level of physical fitness, so Matis and Miska go to the gym using the sports and cultural benefits offered by ABB through Edenred. Even in their spare time, people do a lot of things together.
“The good working atmosphere has been everywhere, and that’s why we also stay in touch in our freetime,” say Matias and Miska.
