Breaking barriers: Women shaping manufacturing at Pipelife Sweden

Traditionally viewed as physically demanding and repetitive, manufacturing has undergone a profound transformation with the rise of robotics, automation, and advanced technology. These changes have opened the door to diverse roles that are not tied to gender. Despite this progress, the number of women employed in manufacturing remains low, with most women employed at junior or mid-level positions. Pipelife Sweden is proud to challenge the gender stigma in manufacturing careers: over 20% of its production employees are women, with 14% holding managerial roles. We spoke with three of them — Caroline Johansson, Josefine Karlsson and Marika Ryberg — to learn more about their career journeys, achievements and what attracted them to Pipelife. Discover their inspiring stories of growth, leadership and camaraderie!

_{Charting her course: Josefine Karlsson's career story}

Josefine Karlsson is the Production Leader at Pipelife Sweden's Injection Molding Department in Ljung, heading a team of 12. She joined Pipelife in 2003, shortly after graduation from the Agricultural College of Svenljunga. Beginning her career as a machine operator, she quickly proved herself and earned a promotion to molding machine setter — overseeing injection molding equipment and processes. 

"When Pipelife opened an injection molding department in Ljung, new job opportunities opened," Karlsson recalls her career journey. "My managers encouraged me to grow, first becoming a machine setter, and then, eventually, I was offered a management role."

Injection molding is a highly specialized manufacturing process used to create precise and durable polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) products, such as chambers, wells, clamps and fittings. The process involves melting plastic pellets and injecting the molten material into a custom-designed mold under high pressure.  

Karlsson's many responsibilities range from meeting production goals and planning shifts to scheduling equipment upgrades and maintenance, all while prioritizing safety. However, the most rewarding task for her is developing her team — passing on unique knowledge, skills and opportunities just like they were passed on to her.

"My role is to ensure that the right person is at the right place based on their skills and to help my team grow. It's fulfilling to see our operations running smoothly while our team continues to develop," she explains. "We value experience and foster creativity."

Pipelife Sweden has taken deliberate steps to attract more female employees by providing training programs, clear career pathways, and diverse, challenging assignments. A strong focus on health benefits and safe and ergonomic working environment has also helped cement the company's reputation. Karlsson acknowledges that Pipelife has offered her more than just a job, providing a platform for professional growth and a fulfilling long-term career:

"I am proud that I took this step into leadership, which wasn't always an obvious path for me. Through training and support from experienced leaders, I have grown both in the role and as a person." 

_{At the vanguard of PVC manufacturing: Meet Caroline Johansson}

Caroline Johansson holds the distinction of being Sweden's first female production manager. Having joined Pipelife in 2022, she is heading the new PVC pipe production plant in Ljung. The facility, employing 35 people across 11 manufacturing lines, is the largest of its kind in the country, achieving a production output of approximately 15,000 tons per year.

"I previously worked as a production leader in another industry and wanted to continue developing myself and others. This role gave me an opportunity to work with exciting processes in a culture that fosters innovation," Johansson explains. "Pipelife is a company that invests in staff development and is committed to lean production principles."

Johansson is known for her exceptional ability to balance efficiency and logistics improvements with a strong customer focus and an always-positive mindset. With Pipelife Sweden relocating to Ljung and expanding its PVC production, Johansson embraces the ongoing development as an exciting challenge: 

"It's inspiring to set up processes both for new machines and older equipment that has been relocated here. The more I learn about PVC, the more impressed I am with this material." 

However, she is equally devoted to growing and developing her team. Even the growing role of automation in manufacturing Johansson sees as "an opportunity to create better workplaces for people." She believes in an innovation-focused environment where every team member feels valued and encouraged to share their ideas.

"My team is a mix of people with varying levels of experience. They bring different backgrounds to the company, which I see as a great opportunity. I encourage them and delegate to a reasonable extent so that they can grow as leaders. That's how I had the opportunity to grow, and it felt good to me — so that's how I want to lead my team."

^{Creativity and collaboration: Marika Ryberg's take on leadership}

As the Production Leader of the Handmade Department, Marika Ryberg oversees non-standard customer orders and manufacturing of bespoke, tailored infrastructure solutions. After joining Pipelife in 2023, she briefly worked elsewhere but came back last year when offered a leadership role in moving production from Ölsremma to Ljung.

"It was mainly the Pipelife spirit," she says when asked what motivated her to return. "It was a good feeling when I worked here before, so when I was offered the chance to be part of a new development, I jumped on board!"

Ryberg's department requires out-of-the-box thinking and a solutions-oriented approach. She admits that "no challenge here is like the other" and has even moved her office to the production area to always be within reach when her team needs support: 

"We have to be creative to address our customers' unique requests. We set high standards and collaborate closely to deliver the best solutions." 

How can a 20-person team remain motivated when challenges are part and parcel of the day? Ryberg believes in celebrating small achievements and milestones to maintain a positive environment. She is the master of fika — the beloved Swedish tradition of coffee breaks — using these moments to appreciate everyone's efforts and strengthen the team spirit. The department has become fond of her homemade biscuits and cakes, and their coffee breaks to celebrate work achievements are a highlight for the entire production staff.

"I inherited a ready-made team with deep industry knowledge, so my role here is to support and guide," Ryberg explains. "We are a team that respects each other and sees each other's differences as an advantage — a team that finds solutions together."

_{Welcoming more women to manufacturing}

When asked what draws them to Pipelife, all three leaders highlight the supportive and inclusive environment, as well as opportunities for growth and career development. They also value high work safety, good work-life balance and flexible hours, which allow employees to have a successful career while fulfilling their responsibilities at home. 

They encourage women to consider the manufacturing industry as a perspective and rewarding, even if unconventional, career choice.

"A mix of ages and genders [in a team] works best!" emphasizes Karlsson. "Women are great at seeing the bigger picture; they are thorough and efficient. And in manufacturing, there really are roles for everyone!" 

"In a male-dominated workplace, sometimes a mom is needed in the team!" Ryberg adds jokingly and then continues: "Just be yourself and have a heart for what you do!"

"It's also important not to build any barriers for yourself that might not even exist," concludes Johansson. "I would like to wish all women out there — have the courage to believe in yourself!"