Innovation, Empowerment and Fika Key to Nord-Lock Group’s Success
When Nord-Lock Group was named a Top Pittsburgh workplace, it reflected the hard work and commitment the whole team gives to the company, according to Jason Kozlowski, brand and marketing manager, Tensioning Division, Nord-Lock Group.
“All of us who work here know that it’s a special place, but we were excited and honored to have made the list because we’re not super well-known in Pittsburgh yet—and note I do say ‘yet,’” he laughed.
A Swedish-owned company, Nord-Lock Group has four different technology brands that provide solutions for secure bolted joints: Nord-Lock wedge-locking technology; Superbolt multi-jackbolt tensioning technology; Boltight hydraulic tensioning and tools; and Expander pivot pins.
“We assist a broad range of industries from sea to space, including marine, oil and gas, construction, power generation and renewable energy, and the transportation industries, among others.”
In addition to approximately 600 employees worldwide, Nord-Lock Group employs 110 people in its Pittsburgh office and warehouse. The company recently opened a new 125,000 sq. ft. facility in Clinton, featuring state-of-the-art training labs and classrooms, an onsite cafeteria and fitness center, outside patio area and climate-controlled warehouse space with the most cutting-edge machinery.
“We built it right in the middle of pandemic; we couldn’t have timed it better,” laughed Kozlowski, adding that the grand opening on Oct. 7 was styled as a Swedish/Pittsburgh tailgate party with food trucks, games and more.
“Our Swedish team and the local contingent invested heavily in this because they believed so strongly in having this business in Pittsburgh and in America,” said Kozlowski. The company has one other U.S. location in DeWitt, IA for its Expander technology brand; Pittsburgh now serves as the U.S. headquarters for all four brands.
Kozlowski credits the Swedish company’s management style for employee satisfaction here in the States. “The fact that we are Swedish-owned influences our culture here in a very positive way,” he explained. “Swedes are extremely hard-working and resourceful, and they run their companies in a manner that’s empowering to employees. They encourage employees to forge their own ways.
“Nord-Lock Group believes that its employees know what they need to do in their specific jobs, and they give them the independence to excel,” he added. “They provide support as needed, but they trust us to do our jobs.”
He adds that Nord-Lock Group is also led by innovation, and is in constant pursuit of ground-breaking solutions and technologies. “We commit a lot of resources and money to research and development, and we have access to resources across the globe dedicated to that mission,” he said. “It’s an exciting place to work for that reason as well.”
Nord-Lock Group also encourages collaboration and camaraderie, making sure that people take time to build and maintain relationships.
“There’s something in Sweden called fika, which is like a coffee break where you take the time to sit down with your colleagues and catch up with them; not necessarily discussing work, but just having that personal interaction that a lot of companies are missing,” he said.
“This type of collaboration works for the good of everyone; not just for the company, which is the ultimate goal, but also for our business units, our different sites, and ourselves,” he continued. “Personally, I’ve never worked so hard at a job, but this is easily my most favorite place I’ve worked.”
Nord-Lock Group is hiring for both office and warehouse positions. To learn more, visit www.nord-lock.com/careers.