After 32 years as an elevator technician, Steve Sundberg still looks forward to Monday mornings.
“I still think going to work should be a blast,” he says with a smile.
Steve works as a repair technician at Motum and is driven by what makes the job unique—the variety, the problem-solving, and the opportunity to breathe new life into elevators that many people think have reached the end of their useful lives.
No two days are alike
For Steve, it's precisely this variety that makes the job so rewarding.
– One moment I might be working on an elevator from the 1930s, and after lunch I’m standing in front of an elevator that was installed just six months ago. You never stop learning, and that’s what makes the job so much fun.
Many of his workdays involve helping colleagues in the field, addressing inspection findings, or solving technical challenges. But there’s one type of assignment that’s especially close to Steve’s heart.
– My favorite thing is when I get to take apart an old machine for which spare parts have long since gone out of production. Then we work with a repair shop to develop new parts, put everything back together, and watch the machine run like new. Knowing that it can then keep running for another 40 years is a fantastic feeling.
Freedom with Responsibility
After many years in the industry, Steve knows what it takes to thrive. At Motum, he especially appreciates the company culture.
– Teamwork, camaraderie, and really listening to the technicians. Here, we have freedom with responsibility, and no boss looking over our shoulders. That fosters both trust and commitment.
When Work Makes a Difference
Over the years, Steve has collected many memories, but one stands out in particular. At Liseberg, he completely overhauled an older Asea machine that had broken down.
– Afterward, I heard that the service manager said the elevator had never worked so well. Of course, that’s heartwarming.
But it's not just the technical challenges that make the job meaningful.
An emergency call during a snowstorm has left a lasting impression.
– When I was done with the repair, I was sitting in the car writing up the work order. Then an elderly man with a crutch came limping through the snow and knocked on the window. He just wanted to thank me for fixing the elevator so he wouldn’t be stuck inside all weekend. That encounter made my whole weekend.
Family Means Everything. When he hangs up his work clothes, Steve prefers to spend time with family and friends.
– They mean everything to me.
When I have time, I also go hunting, fishing, and take a ride on my motorcycle.
– Harley-Davidson, of course.
“A fantastic profession”
If Steve were to sum up his job as an elevator technician himself, his answer would be simple.
– It’s a fantastic job filled with personal responsibility, problem-solving, challenges, and amazing coworkers. After 32 years, I still haven’t learned everything—and that’s probably exactly why I still love it.
