Sam’s Time in Skellefteå!
This trip got off to an exciting start! We wasted no time and jumped into the action by waking up early and heading to Northvolt. Before this journey, I had limited knowledge about Northvolt’s eco-friendly batteries. However, our meeting with Sanna, Northvolt’s incredible communications manager, was enlightening. I gained a deeper understanding of Northvolt’s objectives and potential to revolutionize the world’s battery industry. From responsibly sourcing minerals to chemical manipulation, battery manufacturing, distribution, and even battery recycling, Northvolt goes above and beyond what most battery factories do. They also prioritize minimizing their carbon footprint, a commitment rarely seen in the industry.
Northvolt’s unwavering dedication to sustainability permeates Skelleftea, which became increasingly evident during our visits to other businesses. Each company emphasized its contribution towards a greener world. Skelleftea stands on the cusp of a green revolution, with all construction adhering to stringent guidelines. Companies are limited in their timber usage to ensure the preservation of forests, and new buildings are constructed using materials with minimal to no carbon footprint. I am deeply impressed by the city’s commitment to fostering a world that values environmental stewardship.
Our visit to North Kingdom was equally captivating. As a design company, North Kingdom crafts stunning advertisements, platforms, video games, and more. Their office, housed within a converted bank, exuded character and charm. We had the privilege of conversing with Jakob Nylund, the Creative Director, who provided insights into North Kingdom’s ethos. They aim to engage customers through creative designs that educate and alter consumers’ perspectives. The demo reel showcased remarkable work, particularly their collaboration with Riot Games on the Arcane game. The immersive 3D design transported viewers to a completely different world. I loved how North Kingdom made it their prerogative to include people from all walks of life in their company. It was refreshing to see them embrace deep diversity within their walls.
All in all, Skellefteå has been a delightful host! Exploring the city allowed us to comprehend why Time magazine deemed it one of the greatest cities in the world in 2022. Thus far, the trip has been an incredible experience, and I eagerly anticipate what lies ahead!
Talk to you later,
Sam
Ethan’s last couple of days:
Traveling here was a lot. I chose not to sleep before the flights and realized very quickly that it was a big mistake. Nevertheless, I arrived in one piece (physically at least, not so much mentally). Jet lag has hit me pretty hard, but I have still been able to enjoy the city and the business visits.
So, let’s get started. Northvolt was really cool. The factory itself is already huge, but the plans for completion mean we only saw a sliver of what it will be. I was really interested in the work they were doing and what their goals for the future were. I liked hearing about how they work with partners and the challenges they have had with finding people who are willing to move to such a remote location to work.
North Kingdom was vastly different from the first trip we took as it was an office and not a factory. It was a very modern space and much smaller than Northvolt. The work they do is more on the creative side and the examples that were shown impressive me, especially the Netflix intro. The Science Center is where I sort of crashed due to fatigue. However, each presentation was still able to keep me engaged. I enjoyed the incubator presentation the most and was inspired by the variety of businesses that became a success through the program.
On Day 2, we went to see some windmills, behemoths that were imposing yet majestic. That said, I was terrified by how much they were swaying in the wind. Still, it was really a beautiful area and learning about how just one windmill could power over five thousand homes. Later on, we saw a cool company that developed a software that would allow people to design house and sheds and small buildings. The design would then actually get built. It looked cooler than my writing is making it out to be, but just take my word for it. Anyways, my time in Skellefteå has been really great and I’m excited for what’s to come.
I don’t have pictures as nice as Sam’s so I will leave you to return to those to get a feel for everything. But look out because we are coming with another post soon!
-Ethan
