Second largest in Sweden: Ahlström Factory sets its sights on the top spot in public-sector catering

Ahlström Factory, part of Greenfood & Picadeli Group, is now Sweden’s second-largest player in vegetable-based dishes for the public sector. The milestone was reached during the most recent quarter following 32 percent growth compared with the previous year, with the company’s new Swedish-developed product range serving as the main driver.

Behind the success is a long-term strategy focused on product development, close customer dialogue and a strong sales team. By offering tasty, nutritious and easy-to-prepare vegetable-based dishes, Ahlström Factory has responded to the public sector’s increasing demands for sustainability and Swedish-produced ingredients.

“This result makes me both incredibly happy and very proud. Behind the numbers are several years of consistent work, bold choices and a strong belief in our products, our sales model and our role in the future of public meals,” says Felix Strandvik, Head of Sales at Ahlström Factory.

A key part of the success is the company’s focused sales efforts. The sales team is highlighted as a crucial factor in the day-to-day work with customers, where energy and responsiveness to the needs of large-scale kitchens have laid the foundation for the new volumes.

The strong growth also reflects a broader trend in which municipalities and regions are increasingly seeking sustainable meal solutions that help reduce climate impact while also meeting high standards for taste, nutritional content and cost efficiency.

Swedish-developed products drive growth
The product category showing by far the strongest growth is Ahlström Factory’s new Swedish range. These products have been developed locally through strategic collaborations with partners such as SimSuFoodS and Munkagrodden AB. The products are based on well-known dishes in which animal protein has been fully or partly replaced with plant-based alternatives, making them easy to implement into existing menus in large-scale kitchens.

For public-sector kitchens, the products offer several advantages. A plant-based mince, for example, can have up to 90 percent lower climate impact than the corresponding animal-based alternative. At the same time, operations can increase the share of legumes in meals, in line with the Swedish Food Agency’s updated national guidelines for school meals.

“The fact that our new Swedish products are growing so rapidly is especially rewarding. These are products we are extremely proud of and that demonstrate the strength of local collaborations. But even though we are celebrating this second-place position, we are far from finished. Now we are raising the bar even further and setting our sights on first place,” concludes Felix Strandvik.