Employee spotlight on Niclas

As an Urban Traffic Sales Representative at SWARCO Traffic Sweden, his role goes far beyond traditional sales. It’s about understanding customer challenges, exploring new ideas, and turning experience into solutions that make a real difference. 

 At the heart of it all is one defining principle: creative freedom. 

Niclas thrives in an environment where he can think independently and act on ideas. 

 “I need space to use my knowledge,” he explains.  

 With a background that spans electrician work, controller programming, service, and sales, Niclas has built a deep, practical understanding of the industry. That breadth of experience allows him to approach challenges from multiple angles, connecting technical insight with real-world needs. 

 “I am not afraid to dive into new things,” he says. “I am always looking to challenge myself and learn new things.” 

Niclas’ path into the traffic industry began early after completing studies, alongside his father, as he helped build an understanding of traffic light intersections from scratch. Inspired by that environment, Niclas began his career and worked alongside his father as an electrician, learning the fundamentals of traffic systems on the job. 

 From there, he moved into programming traffic controllers in Stockholm City, service, and eventually sales, building a strong, end-to-end understanding of the business. 

 One defining early moment came when SWARCO launched SWARCO Nordic in 2003, and he was asked, despite being young and relatively inexperienced, to present his ideas to a room of customers. It was a challenge that pushed him out of his comfort zone, but it paid off. 

 “That’s where I started to build confidence,” he reflects. “They believed in what I was saying, and that stayed with me.” 

 That belief, combined with his technical foundation, continues to shape how he works today

In his current role, Niclas works across sales, customer relationships, and product ideation. His days range from preparing tenders and meeting long-standing customers to providing technical support to colleagues and developing new solutions. 

What drives him is the ability to turn complex technology into something meaningful for customers. 

“I love to translate technology into something tangible,” he explains. “When customers share a problem, I listen, and if we don’t have the solution, we look at how we can create one.” 

This mindset has played a key role in the development of Smart Priority, a Swedish-developed solution that has grown into one of SWARCO’s strongest-performing products in its category, with international reach. 

“Many people describe me as loving to talk, which I do,” he says. “But when I listen to new things, I really listen and try to learn, so I can come back, ask questions, and dig deeper. Then one day, maybe I can educate someone else about it.” 

Niclas’ passion for solving real-world challenges recently led to one of his most exciting achievements, co-winning SWARCO’s Corporate Venture initiative with his colleague Göran for the idea FlexiControl. 

The concept was born from years of observing inefficiencies in temporary traffic management. 

“In Sweden, temporary roadworks are often a blind spot,” he explains. “There’s no real connectivity to the city systems, and we must rely on complex cabling and overnight work. I thought, there must be a better way.” 

FlexiControl reimagines temporary traffic signals by fully integrating them into existing city platforms such as MyCity or OMNIA, leveraging SWARCO’s controller expertise to enable connectivity, flexibility, and scalability. 

“With our solution, you can connect not only the signals but also other smart systems like Smart Priority,” he says. “We already have the knowledge and technology; it was about using it in a new way.” 

The idea challenged market expectations and drew strong interest when showcased at Intertraffic. 

“Customers were surprised,” Niclas recalls. “They didn’t expect us to move into this space, but once they saw it, they really understood the need.” 

The journey hasn’t been without challenges. Developing reliable wireless communication while maintaining low power consumption remains a key focus as the solution evolves. 

“But that’s part of innovation,” he adds. “We already think ahead; future versions will be fully cloud-based.” 

The SWARCO Corporate Venture is an initiative giving employees the chance to turn ideas into reality. The Corporate Venture “Shark Tank” process itself was something Niclas embraced wholeheartedly. For him, the experience wasn’t just about winning; it was about testing ideas, learning from others, and pushing boundaries. 

“Competition is good. You can only do your best, and if it’s enough, it’s enough.” 

For Niclas, SWARCO’s culture has been a key enabler of his journey. 

“I have been given lots of creative freedom in my role and SWARCO has carried my ideas and helped me bring them to life.” 

He describes the company as a global network with a strong sense of connection. 

“It feels like a family. It’s easy to reach out, share ideas, and support each other; we all work towards the same goals.” 

At the heart of Niclas’ motivation is the balance between independence and collaboration. 

“Freedom and trust are key for me,” he explains. “I have my targets, but I also have the space to be creative and explore ideas.” 

Equally important is the feedback he receives along the way. 

“Sometimes it’s the small things, someone saying ‘thanks for your support’ or ‘that was a good idea’. That means a lot in my day-to-day work.” 

Niclas’ curiosity doesn’t stop at work. Outside of SWARCO, he brings the same energy into his personal interests. 

From water sports and motorbikes to a lifelong passion for golf, he is always looking to challenge himself. He is also deeply involved in floorball, serving as both the club's president and sports manager. 

“Once I get involved with something, everything starts,” he says. “I want to learn, improve, and contribute with new ideas.” 

For Niclas, the future is about continuing to develop ideas, support others, and make a meaningful impact. His advice to others is simple, but powerful: 

“Trust yourself. People may doubt your ideas, but if you believe in them, keep working on them and never let go.” 

It’s a philosophy that has guided him from his first days as an electrician to becoming an innovator at SWARCO and continues to shape his journey today. 

If you are self-driven, curious about technology, and enjoy solving real-world challenges, a role in urban traffic sales offers a great variety. You’ll work closely with customers, develop ideas, and deliver practical impact through technical solutions. 

At SWARCO, you’ll have the freedom to think creatively, take ownership, and grow your expertise, while helping shape smarter mobility solutions together.