It took just two months for Mahsa Eslamzadeh, 33, to go from starting as an operator at Hissmofors sawmill to being offered a new role as a production engineer. Today, she works on analysing production data, reducing energy consumption and finding ways to improve the sawmill’s efficiency.
“I want to work somewhere where I can contribute, develop the business and feel that what I do actually makes a difference,” she says.
Mahsa’s journey to Hissmofors began in late 2022, almost 4,000 kilometres away. At the time, she was living in Iran and had been awarded a scholarship to study an English-language master’s programme at Mid Sweden University in Östersund.
“I didn’t know what life would be like. I came here on my own, without my family, I didn’t speak the language and knew very little about the culture. It was both exciting and quite frightening,” she says.
She already had a degree in chemical engineering from Iran, but her studies in Östersund took her in a completely different direction – tourism. After graduating, she found work in the restaurant industry, but felt that her lack of Swedish was holding her back. She therefore chose to work behind the scenes, without direct contact with customers.
“But I wanted to move forward in my career and knew that learning the language was the key. So I decided to learn Swedish on my own. One of the first steps was asking if I could work at the till instead. Meeting customers meant I learned new words every day.”
At the same time, she watched children’s programmes in Swedish, borrowed easy-to-read books from the library and asked her Swedish friends to speak Swedish with her rather than English.
She was also applying for jobs across Sweden.
“I would have liked to stay in the Östersund area, but I was willing to move almost anywhere to find a qualified job.”
The opportunity came at Norra Timber. Mahsa joined the Hissmofors sawmill as an operator in the grading department in November 2025. Just two months later, she was offered a position as a production engineer.
“It meant a lot to me. They recognized my skills and trusted me to take the next step,” she says.
In her new role, she works closely with the production team on continuous improvement. A large part of her work involves analysing production data and identifying ways to reduce energy consumption and unplanned downtime.
“Every stoppage costs time and money. If we can understand why they happen, we can also prevent them. I enjoy analysing problems and finding solutions before they become bigger.”
She describes the sawmill as a workplace where no two days are the same.
“Something new is always happening. You work with technology, people, production and development at the same time. That makes the job very stimulating.”
“I learn something new every day”
What motivates her most is the opportunity to keep developing. She has already set new goals for herself and wants to deepen her knowledge of process optimisation, data analysis, project management and mechanical engineering.
“I don’t think you ever stop learning. I learn something new every day, and that’s what makes the job enjoyable.”
She also highlights the culture at Norra Timber as an important reason why she enjoys working there.
“I have colleagues who are happy to share their knowledge and help each other. There is an openness that makes you feel comfortable asking questions and coming up with ideas. That means a lot when you are new.”
She describes Norra Timber as an employer with a genuine interest in both the business and the people who work there. The opportunity to develop, take responsibility and contribute her own ideas has been important to her.
“I feel that my ideas are taken seriously and that I have the opportunity to make a difference. At the same time, Norra Timber invests in creating a good workplace and making sure employees enjoy their work, both through activities and a positive working environment. It makes you feel valued and want to develop together with the company.”
The industrial sector remains male-dominated, both in Sweden and even more so in Iran. For Mahsa, this has become an additional source of motivation.
“In Iran, there are still many restrictions on women, and they continue to face many challenges in society. That makes it especially important to me to contribute my knowledge and new perspectives. It makes me proud of what I do.”
She still has close ties to her family, who remain in Iran, and receives a great deal of support from them – particularly from her mother.
“My mother has always believed in me and encouraged me to keep going.”
Although she misses her family, she has found a new sense of belonging in Jämtland. Her friends in Östersund have become an important support network, while her job has given her confidence in the future.
“I feel that I have found the right place. Today, I get to work with what I enjoy most – solving problems, improving processes and constantly learning something new.”
