After nearly 40 years with Konecranes, Steve Gagnuss has seen the business evolve through acquisitions, technological change, market expansion, and shifting customer expectations. But when he reflects on what has kept him with the company for four decades, it comes back to people and opportunity.
Looking back on 40 years
"When I think back to my early years with Konecranes, what stood out most was the strong focus on investing in people. There was a real commitment to developing and training employees, which made me feel valued and motivated from the beginning. The open and approachable management culture also created an environment where you felt comfortable sharing ideas and contributing to the business.
At the same time, the company was growing steadily, both through acquisitions and organic expansion, which created many opportunities to learn, take on new challenges, and grow professionally. These factors have remained important throughout my career and are a big part of why I have stayed and continued to develop with Konecranes for nearly 40 years."
Over that time, Steve has taken on a range of roles and responsibilities across the business. Looking back, several experiences stand out for the lessons they taught him about leadership.
Lessons that shaped a leadership approach
"Over 40 years, there have been many defining moments that have influenced how I lead today, so choosing just a few is not easy. However, three key lessons stand out.
First, I learned the importance of being open to new opportunities and being willing to take risks. Some of the most rewarding experiences in my career came from stepping into unfamiliar situations and challenging myself to grow.
Second, I realised that leadership is not always about moving upwards. At times, sideways moves provided the greatest development. These experiences helped me gain broader perspectives, build new skills, and opened doors that I may not have seen if I had only focused on the next promotion.
Finally, one of the most important lessons was understanding that you don't need to have all the answers. Asking for help, listening to others, and building strong teams creates better outcomes and stronger trust. Today, I see leadership as enabling others to succeed rather than trying to solve everything alone."
The industry itself has also changed significantly during Steve's career, particularly through advances in technology and the growing focus on customer outcomes.
From products to solutions
"Over the years, one of the biggest shifts in ISE has been the rapid advancement of technology across both our equipment and service businesses. Technology has enabled us to move beyond simply supplying products and instead focus on delivering greater value to our customers through improved safety, productivity, and operational efficiency, while also supporting their and our sustainability goals.
This shift has required a significant change in mindset across our teams. We have moved from selling products to selling solutions. The sales process has become more consultative, with a strong focus on understanding our customers' business challenges and supporting their long-term goals, including safety, productivity, cost efficiency, and their ESG criteria. By investing in our people and encouraging collaboration across functions, we have been able to build stronger partnerships with customers and adapt successfully to this changing landscape."
Among the many customer interactions throughout his career, two moments from the early rollout of SWAY Control technology remain particularly memorable.
When innovation makes a difference
"A couple of stories that have stayed with me comes from the early years of launching our SWAY Control technology. At that time, we were actively promoting the value of this innovation and using our first installations as references to help customers understand the benefits.
Two moments from that period really stood out. The first was when a global, repetitive customer recognised the value of the technology and decided to change their specification to include SWAY Control as a standard feature for all future industrial crane purchases. This showed us that when customers truly see the operational and safety benefits, they are willing to embed innovation into their long-term strategy.
The second moment was even more powerful. A customer visited a precast yard where a crane fitted with SWAY Control had been installed. After spending time operating the crane, he told us that this technology could have prevented a fatal accident that had previously occurred in his steel warehouse. He made the decision on the spot to order cranes equipped with SWAY Control for his operations.
This experience reinforced for me that what we do goes far beyond equipment. We are helping our customers create safer workplaces and protect their people. It reminded me that when we focus on real customer impact—especially safety—we truly live our purpose of 'Konecranes moves what matters.'"
As Steve looks ahead, his focus remains on the people who will continue shaping the business in the years to come.
Creating opportunities for others
"I have had the privilege of living and working in three different countries and visiting many more. Throughout my career, I've worked across different segments and brands with incredible people. These experiences have helped me grow both professionally and personally, and I am truly grateful to everyone who has mentored and supported me along the way.
As I look ahead, the legacy I hope to leave is one of developing people and building strong, diverse teams who continue to grow, innovate, and deliver value to our customers. I want to be remembered as someone who created opportunities for others, supported their development, and helped build a culture of trust, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
People often ask me for career advice. Looking back, there are a few things I would like to share. Stay curious and take the time to understand the business. Step outside your comfort zone and actively look for new experiences. Be open to feedback and act on it. Show resilience, because things are not always easy. Treat people as individuals and invest in relationships. And finally, always look for ways to make a positive difference—both for your team and for your customers."
Outside work, Steve enjoys two long-standing hobbies.
"Simple—golf and photography. The two often go hand in hand, as many of the world's great golf courses also offer incredible scenery and unique moments to capture. I enjoy the challenge and focus that golf brings, and photography allows me to slow down, appreciate the surroundings, and capture memories."
