Farewell after 33 years: product manager Anders Karlsson looks back on his career at Pergo and Unilin

From scientific attaché to Pergo

Pergo did not yet have that world fame when Anders started there in 1993, and his path there was equally anything but obvious. After his master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Anders worked a few years in a Research Park in Sweden and then as a Assistant Technical Attache at the Swedish Embassy in Washington DC.

After that, he worked at a Finnish company, but commuting between Finland and Sweden proved hard to combine with two young children. He was looking for a new challenge and found it in 1993 at laminate inventor Pergo, then one of the fastest-growing companies in Sweden, holding half of the global laminate market. “As soon as I walked in, I felt it was a company with a lot of energy and a ‘do it now’ attitude,” Anders recalls. “Every time our production volume increased, we celebrated with cake. In my starting year 1993, we celebrated almost every month (laughs).”

From R&D to product manager

Anders started in the Pergo R&D team and worked on improving laminate flooring. ”Embossing was impossible on our HPL floors in the 90s. After a lot of trial and error and collaboration with the right suppliers, we succeeded around 2000. A milestone that gave our competitiveness a boost”. Since then the Unilin R&D team has taken the realistic look of laminate to perfection.

In 2000, he became manager of design technology, aimed at industrializing designs, and was closely involved in the design development both for Europe and America. In 2003, a new step followed: product manager for Pergo Europe, first for floors, later also for accessories. When Unilin acquired Pergo in 2013, Anders became responsible for Product Management for Project Market.

Acquisitions and change as a common thread

Over 33 years, Anders saw the company evolve significantly: from a Swedish company, through American and German management, to the acquisition by Unilin, during which production moved to Wielsbeke and the Swedish headquarters became a sales region. Perhaps the most impactful change in his career. “But most changes turned out positively for Pergo. I like change, otherwise I wouldn't have stayed here so long,” he says.

International collaboration with colleagues from Sweden, the US, Belgium, and India also characterizes his career. “I always find international collaboration fun and fascinating. At first, cultural differences stand out, but as you work together longer, those disappear and you mostly share the same passion and drive. It was and still is a pleasure to work here.”

Leading in sustainability

As an engineer by training, sustainability is close to Anders' heart. “I was responsible for our ISO 14001 environmental management system and helped achieve that certification. I am also very proud that we achieved the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, a certificate that challenges us to make our products increasingly sustainable. That's why at Unilin we are always ahead of legislation, and that is a good thing. Sustainability will become increasingly important to consumers, and then they'll be at the right place with us. The fact that our production is in Belgium and not in China will also become increasingly important.”

Two families

His message for anyone starting a career at Unilin? “Be curious, say yes to opportunities because they might not come back, and have fun. Embrace change and don't worry too much. Learn to let go.”

What Anders will miss most? His colleagues. “I always say I have two families: my family at home and my work family. It gave me energy every morning to chat with colleagues at the coffee machine. I'm definitely going to miss that ritual.” Together with his wife, who is also retiring, he will soon look for a new morning routine. His farewell message? “I wish Unilin and all colleagues all the best and much success. I have a great love for our brand Pergo and hope it lasts for a long time.”

Ready to start your career at Unilin?  

Check out our vacancies here!