From Christmas parties at Telub, to 50 years of continuous service 

Eva’s story with Combitech began in the 1960s, when her father worked in the marketing department at Telub, a company that would later become part of Combitech. She has fond memories from that time, especially the Christmas parties held there. All the employees’ families were invited, making it feel more like a family gathering than an office party. The strong sense of togetherness and joy left a lasting impression on Eva, and her view of the company was consistently positive.

Fast forward to 1975, when Eva’s father noticed that a colleague was overwhelmed with work and offered his daughter’s help. That marked the beginning of her professional journey – armed with only a typewriter and a willingness to lighten the load.

“It’s actually quite incredible. I sort of slipped in on a banana peel and then continued on for 50 more years! Even if my tasks, circumstances, and responsibilities have changed during my time at Combitech, it has always been characterized by curiosity and excitement.”

To grow with the challenge – from drawing archives to finance 

Eva’s current role as Division Controller is far from where she started. When her assistant role was no longer needed, she continued working for Telub and found herself in the drawing archives of the Swedish Defence Material Administration. A small group of five people spent their days in a tiny, windowless room, handling plenty of classified material – a job Eva describes as incredibly exciting.

In the late 1980s, an opportunity opened in the company’s finance department, and Eva was asked if she wanted to take on this new endeavor. Naturally curious and adventurous, she said yes. With no prior experience in finance, but a talent for numbers, mathematics, and logical thinking, this was her first step into what would become her professional home for the longevity of her career.

“My work has really developed over time. I have learned new things gradually, as I’ve been presented with new challenges and opportunities. There have been organizational changes, growing responsibilities, and a radical digital evolution. All of it has impacted my work, but in the best way. I thrive when things don’t stand still and when I can tackle new, exciting challenges. And all of this has happened within the same company walls, literally!”

Change as a driving force

Eva’s longevity in the finance department has allowed her to witness and adapt to decades of change, growing alongside the company through numerous transformations.

“I love change! I really mean it. I just get really bored if things just… go on. Throughout my career, I’ve embraced change, it’s a driving factor for me, and that’s the reason I’ve never quit this job. There’s always an opportunity to grow if you want to.”

Having a technical interest has also been an advantage, Eva points out. Throughout her 50 years at Combitech, the digital evolution has continuously shaped the way she works. She chooses to view these changes positively, focusing on the possibilities rather than the challenges they might bring to her daily tasks. Even AI has entered her life – currently only to generate fun Christmas cards, but with more time on her hands, the possibilities are endless.

A meaningful career and a new phase in life 

Staying at the same workplace for half a century requires commitment, and to keep that commitment genuine and strong, it needs to be seen as a healthy relationship between an employee and their workplace, one that is balanced and fulfilling for both parties.

That’s exactly the story Eva tells. With retirement approaching shortly, she can confidently say that it has indeed been a fulfilling journey. The feeling of being a key player in a company that has a true impact on society has brought a sense of purpose to her everyday tasks.

“Finance will always be an important area of work, a key cog in the machinery behind the scenes. I feel like I’ve always been treated with respect at Combitech, and that reassures me that I’m doing something meaningful. That’s a huge part of why I’ve wanted to go to work every day. I actually can’t remember a day when I didn’t want to show up at work. I’ve felt that what I do really makes a difference.”

Leaving Combitech will be bittersweet. These 50 years have been good, and what lies ahead will be different – but very good nonetheless.

“I will continue to live by the same philosophy – doing what I find fun and fulfilling! I don’t have any big dreams that I can ‘finally carry out’ in my retirement, I will simply enjoy having more time to do things I already love, like gardening, taking care of my dogs, and spending more time with my husband.”

Eva’s story is a testament to the power of curiosity, dedication, and finding joy in one’s work. Her 50-year journey at Combitech shows that a fulfilling career isn’t just about the tasks you perform, but the relationships you build, the challenges you embrace, and the impact you make along the way. As she steps into this new chapter, Eva carries with her the same passion and enthusiasm that has defined her career – proving that a meaningful professional life can be both long-lasting and deeply rewarding.