Katja and Robert swapped eastern Germany for the High Coast
Katja Fabian and her husband Robert live and work in Härnösand, but also have a house in Junsele.
- We have found the quality of life we were looking for here in the High Coast. There is a unique natural environment and plenty of attractive jobs in various sectors, not least industry.
Katja works as account manager and quality manager at Xavitech Micropumps AB, a small company with high-tech expertise.
Katja's husband Robert works as a crafts teacher in Härnösand while Katja is an account manager and quality manager at Xavitech Micropumps AB, a small company with high-tech expertise.
- We manufacture intelligent micropumps that are mostly exported and used globally in many different applications, in the fields of medical technology, environmental technology and industry.
Both standard and customized pumps are used as components in customers' products and systems. There were even micro-pumps, developed and manufactured in Härnösand, which NASA installed on board the ISS space station in 2009.
- It's very interesting to be part of such an exciting business and at the same time have contact with so many people, customers, distributors and stakeholders around the world, says Katja. This combination suits me perfectly, given my background and the fact that I enjoy customer contacts.
Both Katja and Robert were born and raised in what used to be East Germany. Katja's educational and professional path is fascinating. She trained in medical technology and then took her degree at St. Jude Medical in Järfälla outside Stockholm.
- I could just as easily have ended up in Iceland, but now it was Sweden and we felt that we wanted to build our future here, says Katja.
"When we moved here, we said, 'OK, let's try it out'. We didn't know how it would work in the long run. But now we know that this is home for us and we value both work and leisure and being able to share our life between the coast and the interior. We think we have everything we need here."
Katja Fabian
She and Robert appreciate nature and tranquillity.
- In Germany, it was difficult to experience both, because there are so many highways and densely populated communities. A lot of people in a small area and little nature. It doesn't suit us.
In Sweden, however, they got much of what they were looking for. Katja previously worked at AlphaHelix Production AB in Junsele and the couple have a house in Junselevallen, overlooking the forest, plains and Betarsjön.
- It's a long way to the nearest neighbor, but exactly the kind of life we love. Nature and the sound of silence.
In the spring of 2021, Katja and Robert decided to invest in Härnösand, when Katja got a job at Xavitech and Robert as a teacher.
- Now we have the best of both worlds. In Härnösand we have the city and the sea and living in an apartment, which is in sharp contrast to Junselevallen. We like both places and go to Junselevallen regularly, even though it's 18 miles between the towns, says Katja.
Xavitech gives her great freedom and opportunities to work independently.
- We are only six employees, which means that there are short decision paths and that appeals to me. I also like that we are flexible and help each other and that I get to work long-term and build relationships with our customers.
Katja believes that more and more people will be attracted to work and live in the High Coast.
- There is a unique natural environment here and plenty of attractive jobs in various sectors, not least industry.
- When we moved here, we said, 'OK, let's give it a try'. We didn't know how it would work in the long run. But now we know that this is home for us and we value both work and leisure and being able to divide our lives between the coast and the interior. We think we have everything we need here.
In 2009 NASA installed Xavitechs micro pumps at the ISS space stationen.