From answering phones in a Chicago office to orchestrating the flow of empty containers across our network, Linda Engvall has lived the Greencarrier story from day one. What began as a temporary role after a formative traineeship in the U.S. became a 28-year journey through Export, Import and Cost Control to today’s Equipment team – where she’s the “spider in the web,” making sure the right boxes are in the right place at the right time.
As we celebrate 25 years of Greencarrier, Linda reflects on an industry transformed from fax and telex to digital service centres – and a company that, despite all the change, still puts people first. Her takeaway after nearly three decades? Embrace change, nurture community, and keep the fun alive.
You’ve been with the company since the very beginning. Can you take us back to how it all started?
Yes, it began through my husband. He started working at what was then called Greenship first, and when he was sent on an assignment in the U.S., we both moved to Chicago. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at the time, but I ended up working within the same group of companies. It was almost like a traineeship – I got to rotate across all departments, answering phones, helping with bookings, and learning the basics of the shipping industry. That experience gave me such a solid foundation. When we eventually moved back to Sweden, I was offered a temporary position at Greenship, now Greencarrier. That “temporary” role turned into nearly three decades!
So, you’ve quite literally grown together with the company. What roles have you had over the years?
I’ve been almost everywhere except sales. I started in Export, later moved to Import, worked with cost control, and now I’m in Equipment. My current role is a bit like being a spider in the web – I keep track of our empty containers, making sure they’re in the right place at the right time, and supporting both import and export teams. It’s a mix of logistics, planning, and problem-solving.
What do you enjoy most about your work today?
The variety and the contact with all departments. I’m never just sitting still – there’s always something happening. The shipping industry is dynamic, things change quickly, and that keeps the work interesting. I love being in the middle of it all, making sure the puzzle pieces fit together.
Photos: Amanda Falkman
Twenty-eight years is a long time. What has kept you here all these years?
It’s the people, without a doubt. Many of us have worked together for decades, so colleagues really become friends. We’ve shared so many moments both inside and outside of work – ski trips, after works, kick-offs, Christmas parties, you name it. That sense of community is something special, and I think it’s why so many of us stay.
You also lived and worked in the U.S. for a time. What was that like?
It was such a valuable experience. This was in the mid-90s, before email was common, so a lot of the communication was still by phone, fax, and telex. Everything was much more manual, which meant you really got to understand the processes from the ground up. Living in Chicago was exciting too – a completely different perspective on both work and life.
If you compare then and now, what are the biggest changes you’ve seen?
So much has been automated. When I started, we did endless manual entries, typing everything in by hand. Now we have service centers and digital tools that handle a lot of the routine tasks, which gives us more time for problem-solving and customer contact.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time here?
It’s impossible to choose just one – there are too many! But many of my favorite memories come from the social side: company events, kick-offs, parties. I remember once we had a kick-off, and our team objective was to navigate with a map on a rib boat in Stockholm archipelago. Those kind of moments stick with you – the fun, the laughter, the feeling of being part of something together.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along the way?
Probably the importance of embracing change. Our industry is fast-moving and unpredictable, so you need to be flexible and open to new ways of working. For me, change has never been something to fear – it’s something that brings opportunities to learn and grow.
Looking back, what makes you most proud?
I’m proud to have been part of this journey from the very beginning, to see the company grow and transform while still holding onto the same spirit of teamwork and fun. And I’m proud of the friendships and connections I’ve built – those are truly priceless.
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