For almost three years, Johan Stjernberg has been part of Sjuntorp. He first joined as Sales & Marketing Director and Deputy CEO of Sjuntorp Truck & Machine AB and Sjuntorp Production Technology AB. Today, he serves as CEO and Head of Sales for the entire group, with Tången as the new owner behind him.
Anders Hedberg joined Sjuntorp a year ago, eager for a new challenge, and chose the role of CFO. What attracted him to Sjuntorp was the company’s strong culture and the drive that defines the business.
This interview with Johan and Anders explores their journey from the very first contact with Tången to how the collaboration works today. They share their perspective on what Tången brings to Sjuntorp, and how the company’s strong internal culture can be preserved under new ownership. One thing is clear from the conversation: Sjuntorp’s culture is impossible to miss.
A first contact for a long-term partnership
The first meeting between Sjuntorp and Tången took place in January 2023.
“To be honest, that first meeting was a bit strange. I wasn’t really mentally prepared for what it would mean. I met Nina and Per, everything moved very quickly, and I probably came across as rather uncertain. That uncertainty rubbed off on them as well, and they became hesitant. Once I had time to reflect and find my balance, we met again – and that second meeting clicked on a completely different level,” says Johan.
The turning point in making the partnership with Tången work was their view on preserving Sjuntorp’s culture and their long-term investment philosophy. Tången clearly came across as an organization with ambitious goals and high standards – but also one that gives a lot back. This was a strong fit for Sjuntorp and gave Johan confidence in the future. A key assurance from Tången was that the heart of Sjuntorp – its culture and employees – would remain intact. With that realization, Johan understood how Sjuntorp could benefit from Tången’s expertise.
“The heart of Sjuntorp really is our people. That’s not just something I say – without the employees who solve problems for our customers every day, we would be nothing. That’s why it was essential that our leadership and brand would remain. It became clear what Tången wanted to achieve and that our cultures would align well,” Johan continues.
Evolving the culture and looking ahead
Sjuntorp’s history stretches back 200 years, and the business has evolved significantly over time. The company today is very different from what it was when it restarted two decades ago, yet its strong culture and entrepreneurial drive remain undeniable.
“Johan is a crucial culture bearer for Sjuntorp now that Thomas (the former owner) has handed over the reins. Our employees and Tången expect everything to work just as well as before. And here, no one is sitting on a high horse – not Tången, not Sjuntorp’s management, and not our employees. Together with Tången, we’ll continue to evolve Sjuntorp’s culture this autumn. But it’s not only about the past – every company must also keep developing,” says Anders.
“It took me three years to truly understand how Sjuntorp works, so it will also take Tången some time. The technical expertise and business knowledge at Sjuntorp are at a very high level. But when it comes to structure and routines, we are not as advanced. Here, Tången will help us improve a lot, which will be crucial for taking the next step. With Tången, everything from meetings to board work is evolving,” Johan adds. , säger Johan.
