Munters Tech Tales: Pia Brantgärde Linder, President FoodTech

In the rapidly evolving world of industrial tech, where innovations pave the way for future trends, Pia’s career journey is inspiring. Over two decades of dedication to the industrial tech industry have shaped her into a successful leader and to her position as President of FoodTech at Munters.

From her grandfather’s workshop to industrial engineering

It all started in an unconventional classroom: her grandfather's machine workshop.

"I got really interested in technology at an early age," she recalls.

The summers spent solving technical problems and working with machines ignited a passion for technology that was complemented by an interest in mathematics in school. This combination naturally led her to pursue the engineering field, laying the foundation for her future career.

From executive trainee to Business Area President

Pia’s professional journey began as an executive trainee, at ABB. Over the years, she took on numerous global roles at the company, in sales, technology, operations, and general management, ending up as head of a global Business Area within the energy sector and industry.

The transition to Munters was fueled by the curiosity of its strong brand, global presence, and innovative history. Notably, it was Munters pioneering stance on the digitalization of the food industry that catalyzed the move.

"At its core, Munters embodies an industrial tech pioneer, aligning with my own values and goals. Its commitment to sustainability and innovation has elevated us from early innovators to industry leaders in the food sector."

Innovation in a broader perspective

Innovation at FoodTech goes beyond new technologies for Pia; it's a deep understanding of customer needs and the courage to challenge the status quo.

"Innovation involves exploring new territories and enhancing workflows,” she says, highlighting Munters ability in crafting climate solutions that not only improve food safety and quality but also cut down on customer’s energy consumption.

AI and sustainability

In a world increasingly aware of the impact of healthy food, animal welfare, and environmental issues, sustainability is a priority in her agenda.

"Contributing to a sustainable future is a vital part of my work and for the industry FoodTech serves," she says. “Cutting-edge technologies like AI and machine learning are redefining what's possible in the food and agriculture industry, how digital tools are increasing efficiency, boosting crop yields, improving resource management, and ultimately leading to more sustainable food production practices."

Mentorship and role models

Throughout her career, Pia has been inspired by various role models, starting with her mother, who taught her that "there are endless possibilities — you can achieve anything you set your mind to." This belief and support have been crucial to her. Through various leadership programs, Pia has connected with industry leaders, expanding her network and enhancing her mentorship skills.

During her career, Pia has been actively mentoring young professionals, emphasizing early responsibility as a key leadership trait. Her approach—developing talent by entrusting them with significant roles early on—reinforces her belief in mentorship as a vital element of leadership, preparing the mentees for future challenges.

An industry of opportunities

Pia highlights the transformative potential of the tech industry, saying, “I view the tech industry as a key driver of the green transition. At Munters, we contribute to drastically change the way we farm and produce food by providing digital solutions and technologies like connected controllers and IoT sensors together with predictive AI and real-time monitoring. These technologies enable all actors in the value chain to optimize their operations where we in the end get more food to feed the world’s growing population using less resources."

The most rewarding aspect of her role is in her own words, "the people and the journey FoodTech has made and continues to make every day."

What excites her about FoodTech is its digital revolution, marking a significant shift towards a tech-centric business model, particularly software as a service (SaaS).

With over 250 software employees, FoodTech is pioneering digital solutions for the food industry, significantly impacting food production around the world.

"We're not just part of the industry; we're actively reshaping how food is produced, contributing significantly to global food supply chains," she says.

Leading through change

Throughout her career, Pia has been through numerous challenges, including large transformation projects such as expanding factory capacities as well as closing factories.

She stresses that during any significant change, staying connected with the operational side of the business is essential. She believes transparency and communication are key to success.

“Openness not only lies a foundation of trust”, she says, “But it also clarifies the reasons behind decisions, reinforcing the team's commitment to the shared goals.”

Her vision for the future

As she looks to the future, her focus remains on driving innovation, fostering sustainable practices, and leading FoodTech towards success. Her advice to those starting their own career journey?

”Stay close to your teams, with transparency, clear goals and inclusiveness you build trust and high performing teams. Embrace the opportunities and challenges that will come your way and dare to make hard decisions. And finally, be authentic and be yourself.” 

About Pia

Education:

I have a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chalmers University of Technology and an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Stockholm School of Economics.

Family:                                                                    

I live with my husband, my son (18) and daughter (15), in Västerås, one hour outside of Stockholm.

Outside of work:

You’ll find me at the tennis court, cheering on my kids during football and floorball matches, hanging out with my family and friends, or cooking food and pairing it with a glass of red wine.

Advice you wish you got before you started your career:

Be true to yourself and allow yourself to be authentic. Success doesn’t require you to change who you are.

Share something we don’t know about you:

I’ve lived in Mexico City where I picked up salsa dancing and mastered the perfect guacamole recipe!

Munters Tech Tales is a new series where we share inspiring stories of our colleagues from across the world.