Sundström Infra
– Demanding infrastructure projects require strong HSEQ expertise

Demanding infrastructure projects, growing customer expectations, and an expanding operating environment have made HSEQ work increasingly important at Sundström Infra. Protect been involved in building the company’s systematic HSEQ operations since 2022—first through its ESQ management service and currently through HSEQ expert support.

Daniel Sundqvist, CEO of Sundström Infra, and Erik Holmberg, HSEQ Manager, explain how their collaboration with Protect has helped the company improve its HSEQ work, operational models, and ability to meet the demands of increasingly complex infrastructure projects.

Sundström Infra is a family-owned business based in Ostrobothnia that was founded in 1966 and specializes in earthworks, railway construction, asphalt paving, and crushing. Over the decades, the company has grown into a major player in the infrastructure sector, with projects across Finland and an expanding presence in Sweden. At the same time, the demands of the operating environment have increased. In particular, the railway sector, large infrastructure projects, and client requirements necessitate systematic HSEQ work, effective management practices, and the ability to demonstrate the quality and safety of operations through documentation.

In the early stages of the collaboration, the focus was on systematizing occupational safety and health activities, implementing the PRO24 system, and developing operational systems to meet the needs of the demanding infrastructure sector. “Sundström is a hands-on company. The work has always been of a high standard, but we needed to describe, document, and demonstrate our operations to the outside world as well,” says Saija Pottala, Protect’s quality and safety expert, describing the early stages of the collaboration.

One of the key goals of this collaboration has been to describe Sundström Infra’s operating practices in a way that accurately reflects its actual operations. The company has not sought to establish practices merely for the sake of certification, but rather to genuinely support day-to-day operations and management.

“It’s important to us that we document how things are actually done. If we notice that something doesn’t match our day-to-day reality, we either update the document or change our approach,” says Daniel Sundqvist.

Protect worked with Sundström Infra to develop management systems that go beyond mere documentation to support practical operations, audit readiness, and continuous improvement. This long-term effort culminated in 2025 with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications. At the same time, the PRO24 system has become an integral part of daily HSEQ work. The system makes particular use of reports, operational assessments, and work tables. The management system has been integrated into PRO24 so that guidelines, assessments, risk management, and other key content can be found in one place.

“During audits, we’ve received positive feedback on the fact that everything is clearly accessible in one place. Previously, information might have been scattered across different folders and systems, but now it can be found quickly and easily.” Sundqvist and Holmberg

In early 2025, the partnership entered a new phase when Sundström Infra strengthened its own HSEQ expertise by appointing an in-house HSEQ manager. However, this change did not reduce the need for expert support; rather, it further clarified the division of labor.

At Sundström Infra, it became clear that practical occupational safety work requires a dedicated person who is present on construction sites and deeply involved in day-to-day operations. At the same time, Protect as an expert partner, particularly in the development of management systems, certifications, management reviews, metrics, and sustainability issues.

The current operating model combines hands-on fieldwork with long-term HSEQ development. Sundström Infra’s own HSEQ manager is responsible for day-to-day safety work and overall management, while Protect expertise, system knowledge, and additional resources for more demanding development projects.

“The greatest strength of this collaboration has been flexibility. The division of labor can be adjusted as needed, and expert support is available exactly when additional expertise or resources are required—for example, for certifications, audits, or new development projects,” Sundqvist explains.

A good example of the importance of expert support was the PANK approval project, which was carried out in collaboration with others. According to Sundström Infra, obtaining approval would have been significantly more difficult without Protect’s coordinating role.

“We had the talent in-house, but we needed someone to keep everything together,” Sundqvist notes.

According to Sundqvist, Protect’s strength is particularly evident in its ability to take charge of large-scale projects, clarify requirements, and systematically drive development projects forward. At the same time, Sundström Infra’s own HSEQ manager is able to focus on practical occupational safety work and on-site operations.

Sundström Infra also appreciates the fact that Protect’s designated expert is backed by a broader network of specialists. While a single point of contact remains in charge, specialized expertise from various fields can be quickly brought in as needed.

“As a company grows and projects become increasingly demanding, it’s not possible to develop all the necessary expertise within our own organization. The service Protect provides is truly invaluable to us.”

In the infrastructure and rail sector, the importance of safety is constantly emphasized. Work sites change, conditions shift rapidly, and heavy machinery is in use, which is why proactive safety measures are a key part of daily operations.

Throughout the collaboration, the reporting of safety observations and near-miss incidents, as well as safety rounds, has become systematized. At Sundström Infra, it is recognized that safety improvements stem primarily from day-to-day observations and their active review.

The PRO24 system has made safety work more practical and simplified the process of recording observations directly in the field. By making it as easy as possible to submit reports, the number of reports has also increased significantly.

“There are a lot of safety rounds being conducted these days. This shows that we’ve been able to strengthen our proactive approach. The younger generation, in particular, has been actively raising safety issues, which supports the development of a safety culture throughout the organization,” says Sundqvist.

Sundström Infra’s Protect experts are seen as an integral part of the company’s own operations. In our collaboration, we particularly value a practical approach, flexibility, and the ability to develop our operations based on real-world needs.

“I don’t know if everyone on the ground even realizes that Saija isn’t on our payroll. She seems to be part of Sundström.”
At Sundström Infra, transparency and honesty in collaboration are also considered important.

“We’ve never felt like they were trying to sell us something we didn’t need. If it’s better to do something ourselves, they tell us straight up. It’s a transparent and honest partnership.”

This approach also aligns well with Sundström Infra’s own values, which include honesty, reliability, and transparency.
In the future, Sundström Infra aims to take on increasingly demanding projects, where HSEQ requirements are also constantly rising. The company believes that its current operating model—having its own HSEQ manager combined with flexible expert support—provides a strong foundation for future development.

“We have our own people on the ground and doing the hands-on work, and Protect provides us with flexible expert support whenever we take on a new or more demanding project.” At Sundström Infra, HSEQ work is not viewed as a separate support function, but rather as a key component of safe growth, responsible operations, and the ability to succeed in increasingly demanding infrastructure projects.

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