Life at Konecranes Balancing fatherhood with being a manager

Tim started as an apprentice at Konecranes in 2011, and his career here highlights our focus on long-term employee growth. Tim’s apprenticeship as an Industrial Mechanic set the foundation for his career at Konecranes.

It didn’t take long until the company appointed him as a full-time employee, playing a pivotal role in developing the Demag modular rope hoist’s new motor platform. 

Management and team dynamics

The company has provided Tim with great opportunities along his career journey. Before moving to a new position as a Manager, Tim had the chance to work on a different continent when he was offered an opportunity to work in China for six months.

Today, Tim is responsible for managing a small yet efficient team in Germany that is responsible for the complex design and support of motor and brake systems, the Core of Lifting Motor platform.

His transition from an apprentice to a team manager demonstrates Konecranes’ long-term commitment to building capabilities and skills of our employees. Tim’s management style, shaped by his personal life experiences and the professional experiences, encourages a team culture where ideas are welcomed, and each team member feels valued.

Navigating the new normal

Many believe that the ability to adapt to changes defines a strong manager, and Tim truly exemplified this when the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the global work environment – right when he was appointed into a managerial position. Embracing the prospects of remote work, Tim ensured efficient operations and team cohesion during the challenging times.

Actively contacting his team members and ensuring an attentive remote work environment, Tim bravely faced the challenges the pandemic put forward, turning them into positive factors for his team. Tim's professional skills ultimately served his team well, especially during challenging times.

A balancing act: Work-life synergy

Since becoming a parent in 2023, Tim has been able to develop new managerial skills. He emphasizes how effective managerial skills and one’s parental leave go well together; they don’t cancel each other out. Due to his time on parental leave and working part-time, Tim has recognized that delegation skills are essential for his team to function smoothly.

“You can be a manager as well as a parent. I have provided my team members with more responsibilities, and they have taken it in a good way,” Tim explained.

In addition to his experiences of being a parent, Tim’s involvement in scouting and his passion for hiking reflect his well-rounded persona. Taking charge of younger individuals in his local scout group, Tim believes that leadership skills and the ability to motivate others are especially important in any group environment. 

“I can’t direct everything, which is why encouraging others to participate is an important skill. Being in constant contact with other people has really been valuable for me.”

Experiences outside the office have energized Tim and helped him give back to the community, emphasizing a supportive ethos we at Konecranes encourage amongst all our employees.