Meet Odd – the man who likes to say yes
It could well turn out well.
It's an expression Odd Astorga Westersjø likes to use. And perhaps it also says something about how he faces both the working day and new challenges at Butler Solutions.
Odd has a varied role with responsibility for purchasing, project follow-up, HSE and quality. No two days are exactly the same – and that suits him well.
"It's precisely the variety and challenges that I like. I get to work with many different tasks, both in quality, projects and purchasing.
Good suppliers are crucial
An important part of the job is to follow up suppliers and make sure that Butler gets what is needed – at the right time and with the right quality.
Price is of course important, but for Odd, delivery time, quality and trust are at least as crucial.
"We are dependent on having a good collaboration with our subcontractors. They must deliver the quality our customers expect, but also be solutionoriented. We often deliver customized solutions, and then we need suppliers who can help find good solutions.
Odd can be involved early in a project, including sketches, tender documents and price requests. Other times, his part of the job starts when the components are to be ordered and the suppliers are followed up.
Many details behind a seemingly simple solution
Butler often develops and delivers equipment specifically tailored to the individual operation. Size, lifting capacity and other requirements may vary from project to project.
Where possible, Butler strives to develop modular solutions that can be adapted to different needs.
"A finished product may look quite simple. But there are a lot of details that have to fit and work together. Many of our products have moving parts, must open, close, lift or hold something – and at the same time work in tough conditions with salt water, weather and wind.
Quality and HSE therefore become a natural part of the entire process. Odd works with quality assurance and annual follow-up of suppliers, in addition to Butler's work related to us being ISO 9001 certified.
In the new workshop, HSE has also received a lot of attention. This includes chemical management, emergency exits, risk assessments and fixed routines. An annual plan has been established that makes it easier to follow up and document the work throughout the year.
New projects provide new knowledge
One project Odd highlights as particularly exciting is a delivery to the offshore wind industry.
"It was new and exciting for both us and the customer. We worked closely together throughout the project and also had our own people out to assist with the installation. It gave us experience and knowledge that we can take with us to new projects.
And meeting something new seems to suit Odd quite well. When he has to describe himself in a few words, he chooses positive and solution-oriented – and someone who likes new tasks.
If you ask him what he wants to be remembered for, the answer comes quickly:
"That I don't say no. If someone asks 'can you help with this?', I try to say yes and help as best I can.
Enjoying life in a small business
Odd has previously worked in larger companies, but enjoys his working day at Butler.
"It's exciting to work in a small company. Everyone has to contribute, and you get to take part in many different tasks.
When he started, there was apparently some uncertainty about how a man with a background from large companies would find his place in a smaller organization.
"I think I've proven that wrong," he says.
And when the working day is over? Then you can find him in the garden. Odd has built a greenhouse, grows fruit and berries and has previously been the leader of the local garden team. He is also part of a volunteer group in a second-hand shop, where he helps to receive what people hand in every week. Han er også med i en dugnadsgjeng i en gjenbruksbutikk, hvor han hver uke hjelper til med å ta imot det folk leverer inn.
But if he could choose any job in the world for one day?
He had become Minister of Industry.
"I should have made good arrangements for the business community.
It actually sounds quite typical Odd: If he gets the opportunity to do something – he does it.
