NEWS For over 50 years, the Chemistry Store “Chem Store”, or Kemiförrådet, has been the central hub for chemicals and laboratory equipment at Umeå University. Just in time for the university’s 60th anniversary, Hans Sjöström – the man behind the shop's development – shares the story of how a cluttered collection of metal cabinets became a well-oiled research service.
Boris Jonsson at Chem Store (Kemiförrådet) and Hans Sjöström who spent 40 years of his working life to develop the shop into the research support it is today.
ImageRebecca ForsbergI have never regretted accepting that job, not for a second
“When I arrived here in 1976, it became something of a small revolution,” says Hans Sjöström, formerly employed at the Department of Chemistry, who developed the Chem Store from the ground up.
In the 1970s, the store was simply a small storage space at the Department of Chemistry. It wasn’t until Hans came on board and began to organise the operations that the shop the researchers know today began to take shape. He started by cleaning and tidying, putting up a blackboard for orders, and removing the doors from the numerous metal cabinets. Making all equipment visible and easy to access was important – both for efficiency and for creating a pleasant work environment.
“It gave me a much better overview of what we had and what needed to be purchased,” Hans recalls. In the first decade, he kept track of everything bought and sold, along with every researcher’s customer number, neatly organised in binders. Those customer numbers, still in use today, are second nature to Hans.
“Back then, every research group had its own number, a bit like an area code, and I knew everyone in the building,” he says.
Old "Vi på Kemikum" ("We at Kemikum") and catalogues from Chem Store.
ImageRebecca ForsbergHans began his career as an instrument maker at the mechanical workshop “Blockverkstaden” (later known as UNIMEG). When the stationary work by the lathe started giving Hans back problems, he began looking for other work – preferably something more active. He heard about a position at the Department of Chemistry and decided to give it a try, despite having limited knowledge of chemistry.
“I was simply really interested in stacking goods and playing shop at home – this was exactly what I wanted to do. I have never regretted accepting that job, not for a second,” says Hans.
Hans Sjöström regularly visits the Chem Store and his previous colleagues, here with a coffee break at the Department of Chemistry's lunch room.
Image Rebecca ForsbergHe quickly discovered the international nature of the work and had to learn English to communicate with visiting researchers from all over the world.
“I felt immediately at home – I find it easy to talk to people, and there were a lot of people coming and going to talk to.”
But running Chem Store in its early days was hard work. Among other things, it initially produced its own liquid nitrogen, with staff on call for urgent needs.
“Liquid nitrogen is a staple in laboratories for cooling instruments and samples – it’s like milk and butter for a researcher – so naturally, everyone wanted access to it as often as possible.”
Over time, word spread about the well-stocked and service-oriented Chem Store, and researchers from several departments began using it. In 1986, a computerised system for bookkeeping and inventory management was introduced, making the work significantly easier.
Hans remained at Chem Store for 40 years. Although he retired eight years ago, he still visits every year to catch up with his former colleague, Boris Jonsson.
With the digital system we have today, we’re light-years ahead of other facilities trying to get started elsewhere in the country
“The Chem Store is quite unique – apart from Umeå and Stockholm University, there’s nothing quite like it in Sweden, as far as we know,” explains Boris, adding that Karolinska Institutet has made site visits to learn from the effective system developed at Umeå.
“With the digital system we have today, we’re light-years ahead of other facilities trying to get started elsewhere in the country,” Boris notes.
When Boris Jonsson isn’t helping staff and students at the Chem Store’s shelves, you’ll find him at his desk, answering questions by email and managing digital orders.
Image Rebecca ForsbergThanks to the system that Hans helped to establish, four people now work at the Chem Store, assisting researchers with purchases and orders in line with current procurement agreements (in accordance with the Swedish Public Procurement Act, LOU).
The time researchers save by not having to find suppliers and contracts themselves, Hans and Boris hope, is spent doing what they do best – research.
“The Chem Store is here for everyone at the university,” they conclude.
Chem Store – the store for your chemicals and lab supplies
