From thesis student to technical lead — Meet Sten Strömberg, Product Manager at BPC Instrument
Sten Strömberg joined BPC Instruments AB in 2009 and now leads our product development as Product Manager. What began as a master’s thesis has grown into a central role in the company, and over the years, customers have regularly taken the time to personally thank him in our satisfaction surveys.
He first joined the company as a master’s-thesis student, at a time when BPC focused mainly on project-based consulting and full-scale process operation. “I turned up just as the first AMPTS units were being finished,” he says. “That launch changed the company’s direction overnight.”
The Automated Methane Potential Testing System, now in its third generation, replaced a slow manual test with a fully automated one and quickly became a benchmark in the biogas field. “New and improved products are important for BPC to stay ahead in our core sectors and reach new ones,” Sten says. “What I’m most proud of is that our instruments are used by so many researchers and engineers today. We keep discovering new markets and applications through innovation and creativity – not by copying others.”
A key part of that innovation is the flow-cell unit (FCU), BPC’s own gas-flow measurement technology. It sits at the heart of our latest instruments, from AMPTS III to BPC Blue. “Moving from an open system, as in AMPTS II, to a closed and modular one opened up a lot of new possibilities,” he explains. “It allows us to measure a wider range of gases, and offers greater flexibility in terms of resolution and maintenance.”
Despite a full schedule in R&D, Sten continues to support customers directly. “I take great pride in helping solve real problems,” he says. “Support comes first, before development or production, because it shows me what our users are dealing with and where we can improve.”
After more than fifteen years with the company, including a master’s thesis and a PhD, Sten hasn’t grown tired of the work. As someone who’s seen BPC grow and change from the inside, he feels confident about where things are heading.
“Looking at the long-term trends, the demand for the types of analysis that our instruments offer will only increase. I wish that more people knew how easy it is to use our instruments and how much time and effort it can save you. They are low maintenance, calibration-free and almost completely autonomous. We receive so much positive feedback and keep seeing customers coming back to us for more instruments. It is impossible not to have an optimistic outlook for the future.”
Want to learn more about the work behind AMPTS III and BPC Blue?
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