Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe)
Women in construction – accelerating action
Thriving in the construction industry
Iris Tsouma, CEO of Helma, our authorised dealer in Greece, embodies determination and passion. Having grown up witnessing her father build the company, she says: “I always knew that I would be part of it one day.” After studying IT at university in Athens, her interest in the construction sector led her back to Helma in 2019, where she later assumed the role of CEO.
In a sector where women are often underrepresented, Iris acknowledges the challenges. When asked about advice for women pursuing careers in construction, she states: “There’s one simple recipe that brings guaranteed success. Hard work, determination, and most importantly you need to want it! Apply these three simple things in your everyday and you’ll make it in whatever sector you wish to work in.”
Laying the foundation for change
In Norway, Sigrid Haugen and Mona Seljeset are proving that operating heavy machinery is not just for men. Sigrid and Mona were two of the 18 employees working for Norwegian contractor Vinsrygg Maskin AS when we caught up with them. They both operate Hitachi medium excavators on groundworks, road, and housing construction projects.
Mona, who has over a decade of operating experience, shares: “I grew up on a farm, so you could say it’s in my blood. I was delighted to find this job and have received excellent training,” she adds. “Vinsrygg has a great team, and we all get along well and enjoy ourselves.”
Sigrid, who joined the company in 2016, is happy to see more female operators entering the traditionally male-dominated construction industry. “It has never been a problem for me,” says Sigrid. “So long as you can prove yourself and do a good job, it should never be an issue that you are a female operator.”
Women in the Hitachi Construction Machinery dealer network
Judith Bax and Esther Navest, two of the longest-serving employees in the Hitachi Construction Machinery dealer network, have built lifelong careers in the industry.
Judith, who has been with HCM Nederland for over 40 years, recalls: “Several of our colleagues have worked here for a long time. It feels a bit like family.”
Esther, who started in sales and later moved into PR and marketing, highlights the progress in the industry: “Technology has had the most positive impact on our industry. Nowadays everything is digital, computerised, accessed remotely, and that makes such a huge difference to everybody’s lives.”
Reflecting on their careers, both women feel proud to have been accepted as equals in the industry. “If I think about the biggest achievements, I have to say that being accepted as a woman within Hitachi, from the start,” says Esther. I’ve never felt that I had to hold back or couldn’t speak my mind – that is the thing I am quite proud of.”
Her father was the main influence on her decision to become an operator. “My father also works in a construction company, and I was with him as a child and thought it was so much fun that I wanted to be one myself. So, in 7th grade, I decided I was going to be like my dad – I was going to be an operator! And I haven't regretted it for a second.”
Veronica also enjoys her work as an operator: “The people are really nice and I’m having a great time. You get a lot of attention at work as a female operator,” she adds. “But luckily, it's much more positive than negative.”
Overcoming stereotypes
Pauliina Koponen, Rental Equipment Fleet Manager for Finnish dealer Rotator, started her construction career in the workshop. “It was a bit of a coincidence – I was working in a bar and realised it wasn’t my thing. I applied to mechanical engineering school – I had no idea what a mechanic did, but it sounded interesting,” she recalls.
Now managing the rental fleet at Rotarent, she shares insights into the Finnish rental market. “The Finnish rental machine business is developing well and has great potential to grow further,” says Pauliina. “A rental plan is a good option if you don’t want to invest in or own machines.”
A bright future
Through their leadership, expertise, and determination, these women are shaping the future of the construction industry. As technology advances and the industry evolves, they pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Whether operating excavators, leading companies, or managing fleets, these women prove that construction is a field where talent, not gender, defines success.
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