Leadership change at Ahlins Plåt

On 1 January 2026, Stefan Tingvall took over as Managing Director of Ahlins Plåt. He succeeds former owner Leif Pettersson, who now describes himself as semi-retired but still working. Both have devoted more than three decades to the company, which was founded in 1909 in central Stockholm.

Stefan had just graduated from vocational school when he joined Ahlins Plåt as an apprentice in 1991. Two years later, he was employed as a sheet-metal worker, a role he kept until 2020 when he became project manager and site manager.

‘When I was asked to become Managing Director, I was genuinely moved. It feels both exciting and an honour to be trusted to lead this long-established company where I once started as an apprentice,’ says Stefan.

Stable company

Leif Pettersson began his career in the sheet-metal industry in 1982. After acquiring Haga Plåt in Umeå in 1996, Leif and a colleague also bought Ahlins Plåt ten years later. Since that acquisition, Leif has been Managing Director of Ahlins Plåt up until now. He will remain actively involved in the company, for example by supporting tenders and cost calculations.

‘I have handled almost all tenders and cost calculations over the past decades, so I believe I can still add value there. Ahlins has also become a specialist in heritage renovation projects, which place higher demands on both experience and expertise,’ Leif explains.

Asked what he is leaving behind, his answer is brief.

‘A stable, well-respected company – with a very strong reputation. The company has always stood for reliability towards both employees and customers.’

Close collaboration

The collaboration between Stefan and Leif has grown increasingly close over the years. Leif explains that Stefan stepped into a more central role as the need for resources at the office increased.

‘With his experience, Stefan became a natural replacement when one of the site managers left. Having local roots and long-serving, reliable employees is important. On top of that, Stefan was responsible for his own sheet-metal projects, so in practice he was already working as a site manager,’ says Leif.

Experience since 1909

With roots going back to 1909 – and today’s operations involving renovation of entire buildings – what have been the key success factors in remaining relevant and sustainable over time? Leif answers:

‘For as long as I have worked at the company, our competence and quality have been at a high level. We have had the right people in the right roles and have worked with the same subcontractors, which has allowed us to follow the same approach over time. As a result, our customers have been able to trust that we do a good job and deliver on our promises. For a client, that confidence is extremely valuable.’

Well-embedded company culture

Today, Ahlins Plåt employs around 25 craftspeople. The company often takes overall responsibility for major building renovation projects, with project management in-house and subcontractors brought in to complement its expertise in roofing, waterproofing and sheet metal. Looking ahead, one of Stefan’s key objectives is to continue to strengthen the company culture.

‘We have a family-like atmosphere where employees are given a lot of freedom combined with clear responsibility. I want to protect that and build on it. The long-term vision is also to develop the business over time,’ he says.

Boost from Fasadgruppen

Since Ahlins Plåt became part of Fasadgruppen in 2021, collaboration with other companies in the Group has increased.

‘It has given Ahlins a real boost. Work becomes more enjoyable when we know one another and work towards the same goals. The collaboration also supports our stability,’ Leif says.

Ahlins Plåt

Founded: 1909.
Head office: Hägersten.
Active in: The Mälaren Valley region.
Core competencies: Roofing sheet-metal work, renovation and conversion projects, heritage properties.
Turnover (2025): SEK 56.5 million.