Inspiring inclusivity in manufacturing

This year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) theme is inspiring inclusion – focusing on giving fair opportunities for everyone to succeed. As a business invested in its people, leader in metal cutting Sandvik Coromant highlights the experience of Sandvik Coromant President Helen Blomqvist.

One of IWD’s key missions is to forge inclusive work cultures where womens’ careers thrive and their achievements are celebrated. This year, the campaign centers around inclusion and the importance of making every voice heard.

Despite progress in gender inclusivity, the underrepresentation of women in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields persists. According to a 2023 report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce. Looking across the world, MIT reports that women make up 24% of the STEM workforce in the United States, 17% in the European Union, 16% in Japan, and 14% in India.

Driving the shift
While the STEM gender gap remains apparent, there are several factors at play that could bring about better inclusivity. Manufacturing stereotypes are moving away from perceptions of dirty, dangerous environments. As industry embraces digitalization, the rigid, manual jobs of the past are being replaced by roles centered around innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving.

The growing focus on experimentation, flexibility, and hybrid working is making manufacturing a more modern and inclusive place to work for all. Changes brought about by the pandemic have invited a greater sense of flexibility, with an uptake in digital tools further fostering a more inclusive culture.

There is also increasing recognition of the benefits of an inclusive workforce. According to a Wall Street Journal report examining diversity and inclusion among S&P 500 companies, “diverse and inclusive cultures are providing companies with a competitive edge over peers.” What’s more, a pre-pandemic McKinsey report, “Delivering Through Diversity,” showed that companies in the top quartile of their rankings for successful gender diversity on their executive teams were 21% more likely to have above-average profitability. For ethnic and cultural diversity, that figure was 33%.

It’s clear that businesses must take strides to truly reap the benefits of diverse teams. One way to inspire a more balanced working environment is to promote the voices of those already in the industry, such as Blomqvist.

Meet the president
After starting as a research engineer at Sandvik Coromant 21 years ago, it’s safe to say that Blomqvist has risen through the ranks successfully after becoming the company’s president in 2020. Many experiences have shaped Blomqvist’s experience as an engineer – and everything she’s achieved has been a learning opportunity. “I like to see feedback as a gift, rather than a criticism. I never stop learning, and everyone at Sandvik Coromant can teach me something,” she explains.

“To provide fair and equal opportunities for all members of the organization, it’s important that we’re continuously learning how we can do better. At Sandvik Coromant, we have a regular feedback system where employees can anonymously voice how they’re feeling in their role.”

A believer that a learning culture feeds curiosity and sparks innovation, providing the opportunity to develop one’s skills and nurture personal development is important to Blomqvist.

“A big part of delivering inclusivity is providing opportunity for development and making sure everyone feels confident, successful and happy at work,” she adds.

“I try to lead by example and dedicate 90 minutes of my time each week to my own learning. Whether it's attending a training session or speaking to one of our product experts, there’s always something new for me to learn. Of course, fostering this learning culture isn’t the only way to achieve inclusivity in a workplace – and actions will always speak louder than words. However, being able to create that space for development, at a rate that’s flexible to each individual and that plays to their own strengths, makes a huge difference.”

Inclusivity plays an important role at Sandvik Coromant, as the company aims for a management team consisting of at least one-third women by 2030 as part of its sustainability goals. What’s more, fostering a people-first culture is part of the company’s DNA, and its brand mission – Manufacturing Wellness – showcases the value in taking a holistic view on team development.

“We believe that elevating your business depends on the ability to attract, develop, and retain talented people who are eager to make a difference. Nurture their drive to learn and evolve with the times, and you won't just lead the market - you will be setting an industry standard,” Blomqvist concludes.

The facts speak for themselves – industry must do more to encourage women to enter the manufacturing field. Celebrations such as IWD play a key part in showcasing the options available for women, who must not be held back by stereotypes. But, perhaps more importantly, sharing the stories of women in the industry who have overcome hurdles and developed true industry innovations is key to forming the next generation of manufacturing heroes.