A New Chapter Begins
– Amanda Lillieroth Takes Over as MANAGING DIRECTOR of TST Sweden
When TST Sweden was founded in 1990, Jörgen Lillieroth had a clear vision – to develop protective solutions for some of the most demanding work environments. Over the years, the company has grown into a global market leader in personal protective equipment against high water pressure. Now, Amanda Lillieroth takes over as Managing Director, continuing to lead and develop TST Sweden with the same strong commitment to saving lives worldwide.
Amanda Lillieroth, 32, is no newcomer to TST. As the daughter of former Managing Director Jörgen Lillieroth, she has grown up alongside the company.
“TST has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father, Jörgen, started the company two years before I was born, so it has always been a part of my life. While my dad was careful to separate work and family life, families were always welcome at the office, and I have dropped by now and then over the years. While studying at the Swedish School of Textiles in Borås, I worked part-time at TST, doing everything from warehouse tasks to planning the company’s 25th-anniversary celebration. You could say I have always had a connection to TST, and over the years, I’ve gotten to know all the employees.”
Despite Amanda’s close relationship with TST, stepping into this role was not a given. It was only a few years ago that she seriously started considering getting more involved in the company.
“There was never an expectation or pressure from my father or anyone else for me to work at TST. Nor was there a set path for me or my siblings regarding if or how we should be involved in the company. But TST has always been a safe place for me and a company I have followed for a long time. A few years ago, my father initiated an open discussion within our family about TST’s future. He had been running the company for many years and wanted to hear our thoughts on its future so he could plan accordingly. We then agreed to nurture the company and keep it a family business.”
Following that conversation, Jörgen decided to bring in co-owners who could help drive strategic matters and share responsibility for the company’s continued journey. At the same time, the company moved from Kinna to Borås, and in 2019, a more professional board structure was developed, with Amanda joining as an external board member.
“Both my siblings and I were raised to pursue something we find meaningful and enjoyable. Work is a significant part of life, so it’s important to do something that brings joy and motivation. I enjoyed my previous jobs, but I started feeling, like many others probably do, that it would be exciting to take on a new challenge. I mentioned this in a conversation at TST, and a colleague said, ‘It sounds like what you’re looking for is TST.’ That was a lightbulb moment for me, I couldn’t see it myself until someone else pointed it out. That’s when the seed was planted for my journey at TST.”
For Jörgen Lillieroth, TST has been a major part of his life. He started the company after completing military service, and now, they celebrate 35 years together. He is proud of the company’s journey and is especially happy that his family shares his positive feelings about the business. Now, he is ready to step aside as Amanda takes over as Managing Director.
“I remain the main owner and chairman of the board, so my engagement with TST continues. After 34 years of focusing on TST, it feels good to shift focus slightly and spend more time with my wife, family, and friends. I live with Huntington’s disease, a neurological condition that gradually affects life, which makes me want to prioritize my time and focus on what truly matters.”
To help Amanda get to know the company in her new role and for both her and the employees to ensure the fit was right, she and Jörgen worked alongside each other until the end of 2024. Working with a parent can be an interesting dynamic, and many have asked how she has experienced it.
“I get this question often. At work, I don’t think much about Jörgen being my father. I think it has helped that he always kept work and private life separate, which made it easier for me to do the same. Another factor that helps is our colleagues, who treat us as coworkers rather than father and daughter. For us, knowing each other so well has only been an advantage.
You can tell that Jörgen founded TST because so many of his values are embedded in the company, just as they are in me. I don’t have to pretend to be someone else to fit in here. I recognize the values and culture of this place. That’s why it feels like a great match between me and TST, and in a way, like coming home.”
Jörgen, like Amanda, feels satisfied with the transition and now passes the torch with great confidence and a sense of security.
“It feels great to hand over the leadership to Amanda. We have worked together for a year and a half, and Amanda has been involved in the board since 2019, so she has influenced the company’s strategic direction for a long time. I never had the ambition for my children to take over; they should follow their interests and passions. That makes it even more rewarding that Amanda has chosen this path herself.”
A new role comes with new challenges. Amanda is fully aware that being Managing Director carries significant responsibility toward both the company and its employees. However, she sees it as a valuable opportunity to develop and build on what has been established over the years.
“It is a great honor to take this step, to have the opportunity and trust to lead TST into the future. I feel humbled by the task and, at the same time, highly motivated to develop the company together with the team at TST. Personally, I want to identify my strengths as a leader, collaborate with colleagues, leverage their expertise, and, of course, carry forward our company culture in a trustworthy manner.”
TST is a thriving company and a market leader in protective clothing and equipment for water jetting. Amanda believes that their success today is due to multiple factors.
“One of the company’s strengths is our investment in and appreciation for strong relationships at every level of the business. We enjoy getting to know the people we work with and recognize that it benefits our collaborations.
Internally, we have a team-first mentality, which is a strength for the company as a whole and for us as employees when we tackle tasks together. The size of our team also allows us to build strong personal relationships, which enhances our cooperation.”
According to Jörgen, TST has never been stronger. He is highly optimistic about the company’s future and is convinced that TST is heading toward a bright future.
“With exciting developments and research underway, the future looks promising. Our dedicated focus on protective clothing for high-pressure water applications makes us strong, as it allows us to be market leaders today while driving innovation to meet tomorrow’s needs. We have our own way of doing things and don’t always make the expected choices, which has been a key part of our success. For us, it’s about pushing development forward, and growth follows naturally.”
Amanda also sees TST as a company with great potential and a solid foundation. Looking ahead, she has a clear ambition for the future.
“I feel a strong drive to continue improving what we already do well, to build on our strengths, meet new market needs, and continue saving lives in workplaces worldwide. At the same time, I remind myself and the entire organization that our ambitions must be sustainable in the long run. Everything has its time, and the most important thing is not to stand still in our development.
There are also two key philosophies I take from Jörgen’s way of building the company. First, always prioritize people; values are deeply rooted, while knowledge and experience can always be developed. Second, build the highway before you drive on it. In business terms, this means preparing the company for growth before it happens, rather than pushing for growth and handling the consequences afterward. How these philosophies will shape TST’s future remains to be seen, but I know they are worth preserving.”
TST Sweden AB
Founded: 1990 by Jörgen Lillieroth and Jan Welander.
Jörgen is still a co-owner, while Jan left the company in 2002.
Headquarters: Borås, Sweden
Number of employees: 14
Revenue: Approx. 115 MSEK
Ownership: Privately owned
Industry: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Core products: Protective clothing against high-pressure water jets
Market: Global, with customers in industries such as industrial cleaning, hydrodemolition, and offshore.
Customer promise: Saving lives
Managing Director: Amanda Lillieroth
Board of Directors:
• Jörgen Lillieroth – Chairman of the Board, Founder,
and former Managing Director
• Amanda Lillieroth – Board Member and Managing Director
• Peder Lindström – Board Member and Market & Sales Director
• David Lillieroth – External Board Member
• Per-Arne Andersson – External Board Member and former
R&D Manager