Petra Kalkman

At Kalmar, you’ll never stand alone.

I joined Kalmar in April 2005 — although, back then, it was only meant to be temporary. Kalmar was looking for someone to fill in for their Executive Secretary who was on sick leave, and I was looking for a short-term role before heading off on a big adventure to Australia.

What I didn’t know then was that this temporary job would become the start of a much longer journey. During my assignment, I was asked if I would consider coming back after my trip to take on a role as HR Assistant and also step in as the new QHSE Coordinator, as my predecessor was due to retire. So, after my travels, I returned — and on 1 November, 2005, I officially became part of Kalmar.

From day one, Kalmar felt like a warm blanket around my shoulders. I found myself surrounded by dedicated, friendly colleagues — many of them senior employees with so much experience, who were happy to share their knowledge and stories with me. That sense of openness and teamwork made me feel welcome immediately.

Key Milestones and Achievements 

Over the years, my role has grown and changed with me. I started as an Executive Secretary, then moved into the combined position of QHSE Coordinator and HR Assistant. Later, my responsibilities shifted more towards QHSE and facility management. Like many colleagues here, I’ve also taken on extra tasks to support our teams wherever needed.
Professional growth at Kalmar happens in many ways. For me, it came through training and courses, but most of all through working side by side with my colleagues — watching, listening, and doing. That hands-on learning has shaped who I am today.

There have been many moments I look back on with pride. One that stands out is when an LRQA (Lloyd’s) auditor encouraged me to pursue my MVK (Intermediate Safety Expert) diploma because he believed without a doubt that I could do it. Achieving that diploma was a milestone for me. And of course, Kalmar also gave me something special on a personal level — it’s where I met my colleague, who later became my husband.

Company Culture

Kalmar’s culture means a lot to me. It’s open, and although I believe there’s always room for improvement, I appreciate that I can share my ideas to help us grow stronger together. And wherever you go in the world, seeing our products at work makes me proud to be part of it.

What keeps me motivated after all these years is the trust I receive from my managers, the appreciation of my colleagues, and the freedom I have to do my work in a way that makes a real difference.

I try to be there for everyone, to bridge the gap between the teams out in the field and those in the office, and to never give up.

Tips for New talents

If I could share one piece of advice with new colleagues, it would be this: take your time to look and listen, learn from the experts around you, and don’t give up when things get challenging.