Explore the opportunities in project development and construction Worldwide #3.08 Leap into a new career page 28 Home team advantage page 8 Photo Holger Staffansson Now ... Oslo, the capital of Norway, is the 21,000 sq m (226,042 sq ft) construction expanding – onto the water. The surface and an underwater parking garage foundations – or should we say, the future with space for 800 cars. site – for Tjuvholmen, Oslo’s newest resi- Construction in drydock is becoming a dential area, are now being shipped. The matter of routine for Skanska Norway. Re- site is not on land. Tjuvholmen will be cently, Skanska built an immersed tunnel to built above a parking garage that will be the Björvika expressway in Oslo in the same underwater and will form the foundation manner. Six sections of tunnel, each about for the homes. Skanska is building the 120 meters (394 feet) long, were floated to parking garage in a drydock in Fredrik- central Oslo, and this autumn the com- stad, 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of pany began to link the sections together. Oslo. Previously, Skanska constructed a series The first concrete structure, which is 85 of oil rigs in the same way. For Tjuvhol- meters (279 feet) long and 35 meters (115 men, about 45,000 cu m (58,857 cu yds) of feet) wide, was shipped in September. The concrete and 13,000 tons of reinforcing steel next structure to be shipped will be 155 have been used. The structures have been meters (509 feet) long and 24 meters (79 designed to last 300 years. feet) wide. Together the structures will form 2 Worldwide # Contents #3 2008 4 Take action A letter from the CEO. Focus on Docking Home team advantage opportunities 7 history 8 Mats Williamson hands over to Anders Danielsson, the new President of Skanska Bank, bonds or mattress? Now’s the Sweden. They speak about improving time to decide where to put your money. productivity and increasing customer Sometimes, it is best to wait – I recommend orientation. you spend half an hour or more reading this magazine – before you decide. 12 Teaming up And speaking of crises, remember what Henry Kissinger said: “There cannot be a for UK crisis next week. My schedule is already A selected group of seven, full.” with a single task: to I suppose that is what most people said maximize the unit's in September/October this year. Yet a crisis The aircraft carrierGold USS winner. potential in the UK. The struck, again and again. Up and down. Intrepid is pushed into new Skanska UK Executive “The Chinese use two characters to position by four tugboats as Management Team (EMT) is write the word 'crisis.' One character it prepares to dock at Pier 86 in operation. First task is to stands for danger; the other for in Manhattan on October 2, outline the way forward. opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the 2008, in New York City. danger – but recognize the opportunity,” said John F. Kennedy. Let's put the danger aside – “We have nothing to fear but fear itself” – and focus 16 on opportunities. The global economy will regain speed and stability. Fingers crossed. Time to But it will not be the same as it was. celebrate Hopefully, there will be more room Please allow us to introduce for green construction. In this issue of the Project of the Year, Dirty Worldwide you can see that even His Boots and Golden Hard Hats Majesty, the King of Sweden, supports the who were honored at the idea. Management Meeting 2008. This issue also features the kings and queens of development and construction, the guys and gals in dirty boots constructing buildings, roads and projects Cover Leap into a new career, page 28 such as London’s newest and greatest Worldwide Photo Holger Staffansson hospital, a courthouse in Sweden and a Publisher responsible Worldwide is the group magazine windmill in Chile. under Swedish law from Skanska AB, and is intended Also in this issue, the Skanska Golden Karin Lepasoon, for employees, customers and other [email protected] Skanska associates. The magazine is Hard Hat Award winners and the new Editor-in-chief Alf Lindström, published quarterly in English. Subscribe leaders of Skanska Sweden and Skanska UK +46-8-753 88 17, free of charge by sending an application are presented as well as 22 trainees who [email protected] by e-mail: [email protected], or by represent an infusion of new blood into Address Skanska AB fax: +46-8-449 88 10. Worldwide is SE 169 83 Solna, Sweden printed on environmentally compatible the Skanska system. Tel +46-8-753 88 00 paper bearing the Nordic Swan environ- Fax +46-8-755 66 73 mental label. Feel free to copy pages Enjoy! Printing and copying Alfaprint from the magazine or to quote us, but U.S. edition printed by Dolan Wohlers please name the source. No responsibil- Produced by Grand Plan AB ity is taken for unsolicited material. [email protected] Graphic design Staffan Millqvist Worldwide # 3 A letter from the CEO Protect the company, take action and come out stronger Market conditions are getting tougher. foundation for our independence. We are Finally, I must stress the importance of The global economy is slowing. Consum- one of the financially strongest, if not the our values. Our Five Zeros are not just for er confidence, the stock market and the strongest, companies in our sector. We show. We must always try to realize them outlook for public and private spending must not allow ourselves, or anyone else, in our daily business. We have made great are not as good as they have been. Un- to jeopardize this position. progress in several areas. Unfortunately, doubtedly, we are facing tougher times. We have a strong case, based on our our safety record is still not good enough. The financial turmoil has already af- strong brand and values, great people, This summer, we were close to achieving fected us in some of our markets. financial position, strong order backlog a full three-month period without fatali- The commercial market in London is and cash flow focus. But we must look ties. Then I was very sad to learn that we slowing, but luckily we have a strong or- further than that. The order backlog again lost colleagues in accidents. der backlog of commercial projects. The needs to be replenished so that we can Again, accidents are unacceptable residential market has peaked in Sweden, bridge the gap. Otherwise, we will risk because they are preventable. The health slowed in Finland and ground to a halt in ruining what we have accomplished in and well-being of our people is a manage- Norway and Denmark. And in California, the past few years. ment issue and, of course, everyone’s less tax revenue will soon affect public However alarming the current situa- responsibility. Safety begins in planning, spending on infrastructure. tion may be, we in the Senior Executive and efforts must remain focused all the As I write this, the global economy is Team are convinced that the market will way through to project completion. rapidly deteriorating. The downturn will offer us opportunities – and we must In a nutshell, we have to be able to affect us. We have to prepare and take seize them. adapt to the slowing market. Control action. Both corporations and municipalities risks, cut costs, increase safety efforts and We must do what great companies have new needs. For example, we foresee focus on key clients. do – focus on customer orientation as it increasing demand for green facilities. We A tough market allows great compa- will be harder to get new jobs, increase have the know-how to design, develop nies such as Skanska to really shine and productivity and quality, enhance risk and construct green buildings. Moreover, capture market share. If we prepare and management and cut sales and adminis- clients also want to do business with a take action now, we will emerge from the tration costs. green construction company. We have the slowdown stronger than ever. Tougher times, yes. But in our 121-year skills and our Green Toolbox. history, we have experienced and adapted So, we have to focus on our key clients, Go for it! to a number of ups and downs in the which include corporations and munici- market. palities. They have to be taken care of – in Johan Karlström, CEO Remember that success primarily good times and in bad. Let them know depends on us – not the market. This that we can help. requires leadership. With teamwork and At the same time, we can do more to leadership, we will emerge from this improve results through enhanced risk downturn stronger. management and control. Minimizing In the current credit crunch situa- project losses and increasing the number tion, we must ensure we get the cash! We of successful completions is the basis for must protect our financial strength – the improving our margins. 4 Worldwide # Newsbreak Top 10 One-stop websites One Sweden As of now, all than a selection of business Skanska-built ČSOB Bank Headquarters Skanska units in a specific units. We are presenting the in Prague is the greenest office building country will be collected comprehensive services and in Central Europe. In June 2008 the U.S. under the same national products we provide in a Green Building Council increased its web umbrella. This summer, unified way.” LEED Certificate from silver to gold. national websites were At the same time, the Two launched in Sweden, websites have received Skanska’s 2007 Annual Report nearly Norway, the United a proper facelift, with hit the jackpot in the ratings by the Kingdom, and the United an entirely new graphic League of American Communications States, as well as in the framework.