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Exceptional women leaders are fundamental to a company's success, as they ignite innovation and elevate teams to unprecedented heights of excellence. In an era where women are increasingly excelling across various sectors, proving their mettle in leadership positions traditionally dominated by men, Merethe Pepevnik stands out as a remarkable figure. As the Managing Director of ENRX AS, the Norwegian subsidiary of the ENRX Group, Merethe embodies the essence of transformative leadership. Her impressive journey is marked by a robust foundation in chemical engineering, complemented by her experiences at esteemed organizations such as MSC, Guardian Glass, and RHI Magnesita. Merethe's early career experiences, which include revitalizing a legacy magnesium plant, have equipped her with invaluable skills and insights, shaping her into a visionary leader committed to strategic growth, innovation, and team empowerment.
Reflecting on her formative years, Merethe recognizes the pivotal influences that have shaped her leadership style. Early encouragement from her grandfather instilled in her a strong work ethic and a passion for education, while experiences in team sports taught her the importance of collaboration and motivation. Her military academy training pushed her beyond her comfort zone, revealing her latent leadership potential. Mentorship from industry leaders further solidified her commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a supportive environment. In her current role at ENRX, Merethe emphasizes the importance of knowing her team members and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued. As she continues to drive ENRX forward, her journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring leaders everywhere. Let’s dive in to hear more from Merethe Pepevnik, Managing Director of ENRX AS.
Can you provide an overview of your career as an operations leader? What have been the pivotal moments or turning points in this journey?
Throughout my career, I have held numerous highly technical roles, which have deeply influenced my approach to operations leadership. I firmly believe in the importance of possessing a robust technical background to accurately gauge project timelines, feasibility, and approval processes. As a woman in technical fields, I frequently face scrutiny regarding my expertise, which has driven me to acquire extensive knowledge across various domains. While I may not be the absolute expert in any single area, I take pride in being proficient overall and consistently challenging myself to improve and adapt. This broad understanding and resilience have been crucial to my success.
Could you share the main areas of expertise you have cultivated as a business leader throughout your career?
Throughout my career, I have honed expertise in several crucial areas that have shaped me as a business leader. Strategic leadership is a core strength, enabling me to set clear visions and align teams toward common goals by anticipating market shifts and technological advancements. My proficiency in change management has allowed me to successfully navigate organizational transformations, focusing on clear communication and stakeholder involvement to ensure smooth transitions. In operational excellence, I excel at optimizing processes for efficiency using data analytics and methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma, which has improved productivity and reduced costs. I am dedicated to talent development, prioritizing mentorship and fostering a culture of continuous learning, which strengthens both individual and organizational capabilities.
My customer-centric approach has built strong relationships and driven business growth by understanding and meeting client needs. Embracing innovation and technology integration has kept my teams competitive through the adoption of advanced tools and analytics. Financial acumen, including budgeting and performance management, allows me to balance profitability with long-term growth. Cross-cultural leadership experience has equipped me to manage diverse teams effectively. I emphasize factual communication and statistical analysis to avoid misunderstandings and maintain goal focus. My commitment to lean processes, cost control, and high standards drives efficiency and effective problem-solving. Ultimately, I believe in setting ambitious goals and leading by example, ensuring that my actions align with my values and leadership principles.
Provide us with an overview of ENRX AS. What is the core concept behind the company, and what are its primary areas of expertise?
ENRX, formerly known as EFD Induction, is a long-standing leader in induction technology, and boasts nearly 75 years of experience in heating processes across various industries. Recently, we have expanded into wireless induction charging and power transmission, including innovations like bus stop charging and dynamic charging while driving. As a global leader in induction technology, ENRX operates internationally with factories and sales offices in nearly 20 countries, headquartered in Skien, Norway. Our Skien facility, recently expanded and renovated, focuses on R&D for new products. In Norway, ENRX employs close to 200 staff across multiple functions, including engineering, production, and logistics.
As the Managing Director of ENRX AS, what are your key roles and responsibilities? Additionally, what are your main focus areas for driving the company’s growth?
As the Managing Director of ENRX AS, my primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of all employees while overseeing the company's strategic direction and daily operations. I am tasked with defining and executing the company’s long-term strategic vision, identifying market opportunities, setting objectives, and aligning resources to drive sustainable growth. I oversee daily operations, focusing on efficiency, performance, and productivity, and manage the company’s financial health through budgeting, forecasting, and maintaining stability.
Leadership and team development are key aspects of my role, involving mentoring and nurturing talent to foster a positive work culture. Maintaining strong customer relationships and focusing on innovation are also crucial; I prioritize adapting to customer needs, investing in R&D, and exploring new technologies. Managing stakeholder relationships with transparency and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards are vital for safeguarding the company's integrity.
To drive growth, I concentrate on product and service innovation, operational excellence, and building strategic partnerships. Attracting and developing top talent is essential for achieving our objectives. In summary, my role involves steering ENRX towards growth by aligning strategic planning, operational efficiency, innovation, and stakeholder engagement to succeed in a competitive market.
The path of a business leader is often filled with challenges. Can you highlight some of the key obstacles you face in your current role and how you manage to overcome them?
As a leader who values both results and thorough analysis, I recognize that overcoming challenges in the business landscape requires a balanced approach. One key challenge I face is ensuring strategic alignment across the organization. I address this by clearly communicating goals, setting measurable targets, and using data to track progress. Additionally, making informed decisions in a fast-paced environment is crucial, so I balance speed with analysis, ensuring that decisions are both timely and evidence-based.
Maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency is another challenge. To tackle this, I implement rigorous quality control measures and continuously seek to optimize processes. Innovation is also essential, but it comes with risks. I promote calculated risk-taking by conducting thorough assessments and pilot tests before scaling initiatives. Finally, efficient resource allocation is vital, and I achieve this through disciplined forecasting and focusing on high-impact projects.
To overcome these challenges, I rely on clear goal setting, data-driven decision-making, transparent communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By empowering my team and fostering accountability, I ensure that we not only meet but exceed our goals. My approach blends decisiveness with thorough analysis, driving high performance and sustainable success.
What do you consider to be your most significant achievements in your professional journey so far? Additionally, what guiding principles have you followed as a leader to achieve success?
Reflecting on my career, several notable achievements highlight my journey. One of my major successes was leading the transformation of the Hydro Magnesium facility at RHI, where I oversaw the reconstruction of critical parts and the establishment of a new factory. This project significantly enhanced production capabilities and positioned RHI for future growth. Another key achievement was driving ENRX's revenue growth from 250 million NOK to 700 MiO NOK through strategic planning, operational efficiency, and a high-performance culture. This tripling of revenue solidified our market leadership.
My success mantra centers on authenticity, strategic thinking, and people-centric leadership. I believe in being true to oneself and leveraging the strengths of others, creating a well-rounded team. Courageously voicing ideas and engaging in difficult conversations fosters innovation and problem-solving. Thorough planning and execution, enriched with diverse perspectives, are crucial for robust solutions. Additionally, I strive to inspire and mentor others, focusing on spotting talent and providing guidance. Empathy and hard work underpin my leadership, building strong relationships and driving continuous improvement. By combining these principles, I have successfully led teams to achieve exceptional results and growth. strategic planning, operational efficiency, innovation, and stakeholder engagement to succeed in a competitive market.
The path of a business leader is often filled with challenges. Can you highlight some of the key obstacles you face in your current role and how you manage to overcome them?
As a leader who values both results and thorough analysis, I recognize that overcoming challenges in the business landscape requires a balanced approach. One key challenge I face is ensuring strategic alignment across the organization. I address this by clearly communicating goals, setting measurable targets, and using data to track progress. Additionally, making informed decisions in a fast-paced environment is crucial, so I balance speed with analysis, ensuring that decisions are both timely and evidence-based.
Maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency is another challenge. To tackle this, I implement rigorous quality control measures and continuously seek to optimize processes. Innovation is also essential, but it comes with risks. I promote calculated risk-taking by conducting thorough assessments and pilot tests before scaling initiatives. Finally, efficient resource allocation is vital, and I achieve this through disciplined forecasting and focusing on high-impact projects.
To overcome these challenges, I rely on clear goal setting, data-driven decision-making, transparent communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By empowering my team and fostering accountability, I ensure that we not only meet but exceed our goals. My approach blends decisiveness with thorough analysis, driving high performance and sustainable success.
What do you consider to be your most significant achievements in your professional journey so far? Additionally, what guiding principles have you followed as a leader to achieve success?
Reflecting on my career, several notable achievements highlight my journey. One of my major successes was leading the transformation of the Hydro Magnesium facility at RHI, where I oversaw the reconstruction of critical parts and the establishment of a new factory. This project significantly enhanced production capabilities and positioned RHI for future growth. Another key achievement was driving ENRX's revenue growth from 250 million NOK to 700 MiO NOK through strategic planning, operational efficiency, and a high-performance culture. This tripling of revenue solidified our market leadership.
My success mantra centers on authenticity, strategic thinking, and people-centric leadership. I believe in being true to oneself and leveraging the strengths of others, creating a well-rounded team. Courageously voicing ideas and engaging in difficult conversations fosters innovation and problem-solving. Thorough planning and execution, enriched with diverse perspectives, are crucial for robust solutions. Additionally, I strive to inspire and mentor others, focusing on spotting talent and providing guidance. Empathy and hard work underpin my leadership, building strong relationships and driving continuous improvement. By combining these principles, I have successfully led teams to achieve exceptional results and growth.
Merethe Pepevnik, Managing Director, ENRX AS
Merethe Pepevnik, Managing Director at ENRX AS, excels in operational transformation and strategic growth. She has led significant projects, including upgrading key facilities and integrating advanced technologies. Her leadership focuses on authenticity, strategic planning, and fostering high-performance teams.
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