At just 21 years old, Axel Sandstedt took over the family business. Over the course of his career, he built both Exte and Trux into world-leading companies. With his drive and determination, he paved the way for many entrepreneurs in Hälsingland.

It all began back in 1898, when his grandfather—who had moved from Småland—founded A.E. Sandstedt and Söner Smidesverkstad in Ygskorset, Hälsingland. Axel showed initiative early on, and in the early 1960s he took over the business, which had become focused on timber transport. When he sold the company in 1986, then known as ExTe, it was already a well-established name worldwide.

“Dad had tremendous drive. He had barely finished school when he took over his grandfather’s company,” says his son, Peder Sandstedt.

With Trux, Axel took on his next challenge: manufacturing bull bars for trucks. The idea came from a haulier who had grown tired of costly wildlife collisions. Despite initial resistance from the Swedish National Road Safety Office, Axel succeeded in pushing through his vision, and Trux became the first in Europe in its field.

“He first built Exte and then Trux into internationally active companies. His success was entirely down to his deep commitment to everything he did. Later in life, that same passion was reflected in his great interest in golf,” Peder explains.

Hasse Olsson, Site Manager at Trux from 2009 to 2021, worked as a financial officer in the company during Axel’s ownership, and previously at Exte alongside him. From close range, he observed that Axel was both an entrepreneur and a businessman.

“His philosophy was that everything should revolve around the customer. He brought that mindset from ExTe to Trux, and it remains part of the company’s DNA—always putting the customer first. You could say that is Axel’s legacy.”

Axel Sandstedt passed away in 2013 at the age of 72. As one of the region’s foremost entrepreneurs, he became a major role model and influenced many business owners in the area.

“With his roots in Småland, he likely brought some of the Gnosjö spirit with him here. In the early days of his business, many machined components were sourced from Gnosjö. But over time, people realised that it could just as well be done here,” says Peder Sandstedt.