Meet the team
As a world-leading developer and supplier of thin-film solar cells and panels, at the forefront of advanced technology for renewable energy, we have an unusual depth and range of knowledge, experience and expertise within our organization.
Our employees are what together form Midsummer and we want to present them to the rest of the world in our series “Meet our employees”.
Peter Karaszi
”Working with renewable energy is very rewarding. It is a matter of changing the way humanity harvests its energy and the fact that it can be done from the sun is pretty amazing. I feel that I actually make a difference in a positive way.”
Role: Head of Communications
Worked at Midsummer since: Only since March last year as Head of Communications but since 2013 as the company’s PR consultant.
What do you do in your current role?
I handle all Investor Relations and Public Relations issues for the company, from publishing financial reports to talking to journalists and writing press releases. Also internal communications like newsletters.
What have you previously worked with?
I have an MBA and have been a business reporter with Dagens Nyheter and Finanstidningen, PR Manager for two fairly large tech companies (Cyber Com Consulting and StreamServe), Senior Consultant with PR agency Prime Weber Shandwick, and run my own PR agency specializing in tech PR. I have also written six books on PR.
What do you like about your job?
I get to write, which is my passion. I like to write – press releases, articles, comments and reports. But also to manage a broad range of interesting activities, like the visits by members of the Swedish parliament that we had recently. Also to be able to assist to communicate this interesting technology to a wider audience. It is also very refreshing to work in such an international company. I find the people working at Midsummer are very knowledgeable and likeable.
How have you developed at Midsummer?
As Head of Communications for a listed company, you have a broad responsibility for everything from budget and procurement to internal communications and reporting, rather than just “penning press releases” as a consultant.
What is the best part about working at Midsummer?
Working with renewable energy is very rewarding. It is a matter of changing the way humanity harvests its energy and the fact that it can be done from the sun is pretty amazing. I feel that I actually make a difference in a positive way.
What do you like to do in your free time?
What free time? I have a two-year-old son. But sure, I like the outdoors – hiking cycling, playing tennis. I am interested in politics and current affairs. I travel a lot, e.g. to watch big sports events. I have been to eight football World Cups.
‘Hidden talent’, unusual experience or interest?
I am a big cricket fanatic – unusual for a Swede – and prefer the traditional five-day game. I write books and articles on Personal Finance as a kind of “semiprofessional hobby”.
Eric Jaremalm
”The best part of my job is that I, together with all my fellow Midsummerians, can show the world that it is possible to become self-sustainable with electricity, with a cool product that improves the appearance of one’s house. Together we are shifting the mindset of our fellow citizens on what a solar roof can be.”
Role: Executive Vice President & CFO
Worked at Midsummer since: 2004
What do you do in your current role?
My job is to secure that Midsummer always have money in the bank, by selling DUO machines and solar roofs and by securing grants and investments, and at the same time by reducing cost and waste throughout the organization.
What have you previously worked with?
Before Midsummer, I worked at Mycronic installing production equipment in Japan. In the early days of Midsummer, I worked with developing the CIGS solar cell process in the predecessor to the DUO.
What do you like about your job?
The best part of my job is that I, together with all my fellow Midsummerians, can show the world that it is possible to become self-sustainable with electricity, with a cool product that improves the appearance of one’s house. Together we are shifting the mindset of our fellow citizens on what a solar roof can be.
How have you developed at Midsummer?
From a small boy, to an old man.
What is the best part about working at Midsummer?
I love to see the gradual evolution of Midsummer, day by day.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Get lost in the forest or in the mountains. Annoy my kids with my existence.
‘Hidden talent’, unusual experience or interest?
Tricked my wife into marrying me by serving surströmming (fermented herring) and 96% Polish vodka on our first date in Tokyo.
Richard Jordberg
”I am very fortunate to have ended up in a great team. Every day is filled with laughter and we achieve great things together! Working with products that will change the world is just a huge bonus!”
Role: Manager for Materials Development group.
Worked at Midsummer since: I joined Midsummer 4 years ago..
What do you do in your current role?
I lead and work with different projects that are related to Midsummer’s continuous strive to make our products more attractive and competitive on the solar market. With my background as a M.Sc in Chemical Engineering, my work mainly revolves around the materials we use to either reduce costs, improve solar cell performance or reduce, our already low, carbon footprint even further.
What have you previously worked with?
Midsummer is actually my first employment after getting my Master’s Degree, but I have worked as a development engineer intern at both Seco Tools and Sandvik, two renowned Swedish companies in the turning tool industry. Before my studies I worked as an operator at Comital Skultuna, an aluminum foil factory close to my hometown of Västerås in Sweden.
What do you like about your job?
I joined Midsummer because they have an extremely cool technology. I find it fascinating that a coating, 1/100 times thinner than a straw of hair, can produce electricity to supply a house with enough energy to become a net-zero-building. I also appreciate the fact that I get to work with many different things, one week I can support our sales reps at a local exhibition and another week I travel to our customers in another part of the world.
How have you developed at Midsummer?
Here at Midsummer I have got to put my years of theoretical studies to use, but also learned new skills and got to know how things work in reality. Moving from a “know-why” to a “know-how” way of thinking. This has helped me to progress faster in my work here at Midsummer but has also unlocked possibilities at home. Before I started here I would never have dared to disassemble my malfunctioning flat screen TV in order to find out why it is broken and try to fix it myself instead of just buying a new one.
What is the best part about working at Midsummer?
My colleagues, I am very fortunate to have ended up in a great team. Every day is filled with laughter and we achieve great things together! Working with products that will change the world is just a huge bonus!
What do you like to do in your free time?
If the weather is nice I try to play golf. If not, I play video games, read up on the latest electrical cars or search for my next investment in the stock market. During the pandemic I have picked up home-brewing, here I get to combine my laboratory skills together with one of my favorite beverages, German-type Lager.
‘Hidden talent’, unusual experience or interest?
I also have an interest in architecture and design, so I sketch houses and furniture. One day I hope to afford building my own-designed house or summer cottage.
Esko Niemi
”Midsummer is a truly international company, in the sense that around 30 languages are mastered among the workforce. Thus, in addition to help providing renewable energy to the world, Midsummer is also a melting pot of different cultures. I find the interaction with my colleagues from different countries very inspiring and rewarding.”
Role: Senior Specialist, Solar Cell R&D
Worked at Midsummer since:: 2007
What do you do in your current role?
I am part of a small group, called “Special Projects”, focusing on lowering our production costs. My activities focus on the CIGS solar cell and are aimed at lowering the production cost, measured in $/W, by lowering the cost of today’s standard production process and/or by increasing the efficiency of the CIGS cells.
What have you previously worked with?
I have spent most of my professional career working on CIGS solar cells, since I started on my PhD education in 1985. My CIGS work has been performed at the Royal Institute of Technology, Fuji Electric Corporate R&D, Nordic Solar Energy, Uppsala University and now Midsummer. Before joining Midsummer, I worked seven years on InP-based lasers and detectors for fiberoptic communication at a company which today is part of II-VI Inc.
What do you like about your job?
Since I started working on solar cells, I have been proud of being part of the worldwide efforts to solve the world’s energy problems by changing from hydrocarbons to renewable energy sources. Volume-wise the world still has a long way to go, but we are getting there.
How have you developed at Midsummer?
My work at Midsummer has been centered on developing the CIGS solar cells. Most of the time I’ve done that in the role of a researcher, but sometimes also as group manager for the Solar Cell R&D. The managerial role has been a new and developing experience to me, even if I prefer to focus on the experimental work on the solar cells.
What is the best part about working at Midsummer?
Midsummer is a truly international company, in the sense that around 30 languages are mastered among the workforce. Thus, in addition to help providing renewable energy to the world, Midsummer is also a melting pot of different cultures. I find the interaction with my colleagues from different countries very inspiring and rewarding.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In the summer time, I can often be found on a golf course. Recently I also picked up a new hobby, bird feeding. I’m also longing for the Covid-19 pandemic to end, so I can travel abroad with my wife and my 20 years old son again.
‘Hidden talent’, unusual experience or interest?
During my year at Fuji Electric, I picked up some of the Japanese language. I also enjoy televised sports, among the less common sports I enjoy are snooker, sumo and biathlon.
Maria Huttunen
”Since there are so many functions in the company it has always felt like a very small company, even after it grew past 100 employees. I appreciate the small company atmosphere.”
Role: Design Manager
Worked at Midsummer since: 2010
What do you do in your current role?
I work closely with the design team, but also with the operations manager, process engineers, machine assembly teams and purchasers to make sure our DUO and UNO tools work well, that we implement new functions in a controlled manner and that we catch and make use of new ideas. It is a constant strive to make the tools perform better, easier to maintain and more cost effective to produce. We also work with different departments throughout the company to find solutions for challenges in production by developing our own tools and gadgets to save time and effort in module production when needed.
What have you previously worked with?
Before Midsummer I studied at KTH, and did my Master’s Thesis at Bombardier Transportation.
What do you like about your job?
I like the huge variety in tasks and projects, as well as the open atmosphere in the company. Common sense goes a long way, and everyone is welcome to contribute wherever they can.
How have you developed at Midsummer?
I would say I have developed my sense of questioning and assessing if what I do is really the most important thing I can do today. A lot of time can be spent on the wrong things if you get too used to just doing you normal tasks. Making sure you get the full picture of what you are trying to achieve will help prioritize correctly and not getting stuck with details that are not that important after all.
What is the best part about working at Midsummer?
The company has evolved a lot since I started here almost 11 years ago, with new strategies, more coworkers and entire new departments. This leaves little time to getting settled or being bored. Since there are so many functions in the company it has always felt like a very small company, even after it grew past 100 employees. I appreciate the small company atmosphere.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I live in the countryside in an old house with a stable and three horses, and a four-year-old daughter. I rarely have time to do much else than care for them!
‘Hidden talent’, unusual experience or interest?
I harvest hay every year with my old tractor, a mower beam, a tedder and a baler. I harvest a couple of tons of hay every summer. The dated machinery often malfunctions in various ways which turns me into a (sometimes swearing) mechanic!
Erik Rantala
”It is a privilege to be part of the team that makes the future happen today. My co-workers are very focused, and the entire crew is just a great collection of people from all over the world. Most of us get to do a little bit of everything and that really sets the foundation for a unique culture and great work environment here at Midsummer.”
Role: Software Engineer
Worked at Midsummer since: 2017
What do you do in your current role?
I do a lot so let me name just a few things! I develop new software for our departments, develop and maintain software for our existing machinery in the production facility and administer our databases and remote support systems. I also manage commissioning of, and customer installations for, our DUO and UNO tools. I test and implement new hardware in our machines.
What have you previously worked with?
A little bit of everything! Once upon a time I was in the financial sector, but I have also worked at supermarkets and bookstores as well as in construction. I am also educated in the field of landscape science, which focuses on the processes that has created the landscapes we see around us today.
What do you like about your job?
I love the variety of tasks my position entails. The fact that I can go from straight up programming one day to I/O checking a communication bus the next day; To sit in a meeting planning an installation the third day and then when the meeting is finished just grab my multimeter to do a quick check of something else before heading back to the office to optimize a few tables in a database.
How have you developed at Midsummer?
In my role I have realized that the bigger picture is the only picture, there is no getting stuck on details. Just move on!
What is the best part about working at Midsummer?
It is a privilege to be part of the team that makes the future happen today. My co-workers are very focused, and the entire crew is just a great collection of people from all over the world. Most of us get to do a little bit of everything and that really sets the foundation for a unique culture and great work environment here at Midsummer.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy nature a lot and my vintage American car. I try to visit my family as much as I can and I love to check maps over areas I haven’t visited before. I love planning a hike or just fishing right next to my mountain cabin.
‘Hidden talent’, unusual experience or interest?
I am a wrist watch fanatic! I always know north, south, east and west wherever I go so I am never lost. I enjoy watching lectures in nature sciences on my spare time.
Thomas Bervenmark
I handle the incoming and outgoing goods to and from Midsummer with the paperwork for customs etc. I support Production with some special materials together with the purchase department. Questions and tasks regarding the facility in which Midsummer is located are also one of my areas.
Role: Logistics and Facility/Production support
Worked at Midsummer since: 2017
What do you do in your current role?
I handle the incoming and outgoing goods to and from Midsummer with the paperwork for customs etc. I support Production with some special materials together with the purchase department. Questions and tasks regarding the facility in which Midsummer is located are also one of my areas.
What have you previously worked with?
Previously I have worked in the production of printers and computer parts at IBM and most recently before joining Midsummer I worked with the production of inkjet printheads where I controlled the cleanroom and infrastructure where they were produced, among other things. My whole work life since 1986 has been in the facility where Midsummer is located.
What do you like about your job?
I like the challenge of different tasks I am asked to do. The flexibility. No two days are alike. The great colleagues in different departments are also very helpful to share their knowledge when needed.
How have you developed at Midsummer?
When I started at Midsummer I had not worked in the field of logistics so it has been great to learn that area with the over 25,000 parts of a DUO-machine that has to come in and go out at the right time. Also the challenges to learn the different types of documents needed for export/import to different countries which I had no idea about previously has been developing.
What is the best part about working at Midsummer?
It is the future for producing sustainable electricity and to be a part of that together with all great colleagues is the best.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to be out in the nature whether it is by foot, bike, ski, skates or boat. Cooking food outdoors always tastes the best. I also like to travel to different countries.
‘Hidden talent’, unusual experience or interest?
I can make the best fish soup in Northern Europe! I am also interested in steam engines.
Klara Takei
”Some of the best things about Midsummer are all the fantastic, knowledgeable, funny, hard-working and sometimes odd (in a nice way) colleagues! And the mindset that just because a certain problem has never been solved before, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible.”
Role: Head of Research and Development Projects
Worked at Midsummer since: 2015
What do you do in your current role?
I work with the materials development team to find cheaper and better ways to make more efficient solar cells.
What have you previously worked with?
I have been taking DUOs into production at customers’ sites and been involved in numerous research projects. But before I started at Midsummer, I have worked with many different things, from waitressing to caring for people with special needs to glassblowing.
What do you like about your job?
I am a curious person and really enjoy searching for solutions to complex problems, to find the connection between process changes and results. Also, I like working in a dynamic and fast changing environment, where I don’t always know what will happen next or which possibilities will pop up.
How have you developed at Midsummer?
When I came to Midsummer it was as a master thesis student in the process of changing careers into engineering. Now I lead a research group and I am also part of the management team. It is of course a journey where I have learned a lot.
What is the best part about working at Midsummer?
Some of the best things are all the fantastic, knowledgeable, funny, hard-working and sometimes odd (in a nice way) colleagues! And the mindset that just because a certain problem has never been solved before, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Running, being with my kids and dogs, camping, picking blueberries and mushrooms.
‘Hidden talent’, unusual experience or interest?
Hmm, don’t know if glassblowing counts as such?
