A Word from the CEO: “There’s something magical about being a team of two”

When two people are able to work closely together, the result can be greater than the sum of its parts. It’s a philosophy that has guided AM Systems CEO Anders Hultdin since the company’s inception, and it’s evident in how he builds teams, leads people, and envisions the company’s next big step.

The “A” and “M” in AM Systems stand for the founders, Anders Hultdin and Mats Carpenter. They have now been named finalists in the Entrepreneur of the Year category at the Umeå Gala. The citation highlights, among other things, the “1+1=3” philosophy, investments in young talent, and a culture characterized by trust and growth. For Anders, this philosophy is more than just a catchy phrase. It’s rooted in the experience of building a company together.

“We’re two brothers who started AM System. We’re very different, but we can almost read each other’s minds. There’s something magical about being a team of two.”

He has brought that experience with him into his work building teams. Like that time when some of the first junior employees were about to be hired—he was looking for one person, but ended up choosing two.

– “They were innovative and resourceful together. They’ve become like three or even four people because they work so well together.”

Finding the right combination of people has become something of a sport. Anders enjoys reading personalities and thinking about which people can grow together.

“If you succeed, everyone has a great time. You look forward to going to work and seeing your coworkers. You can think outside the box when you’re with people you like.”

It’s also something he believes will become more important as technology advances.

“The more technological innovations we adopt, the more important the interaction between people at work becomes.”

Trust means daring to let go

Good leadership is built on trust. He knows firsthand how much it means when someone assigns you a task and then lets you take responsibility for it.

“I like the feeling that someone trusts me.”

That doesn’t mean everything will always be right from the start. But that doesn’t have to be a problem.

“If it goes wrong, we’ll pick up the pieces and try again. You have to dare to give people more trust than they might think they deserve.”

He describes his role as a leader a bit like that of a shepherd: making sure the team is moving in the right direction, but letting people find their own way there. That requires being able to accept that the work sometimes takes time or turns out differently than you would have done it yourself.

– I often think it’ll probably turn out fine. You shouldn’t take the job too seriously. Is it really that important that everything be perfect? Nah. The most important thing is that it feels right.

At the same time, trust is about creating the conditions for people to succeed. Anders has focused primarily on who gets the opportunity, how they can grow, and how the teams are put together. In this regard, he complements his brother Mats, who keeps an eye on the business side.

– If I’m a shepherd, he makes sure we make money from the wool. I put the team together, and Mats sells the product.

Exercise as Part of Work Life

Once a week, AM Systems employees work out together during work hours. Anders has never considered himself a gym person, but he’s been inspired by his colleagues.

“The best word is inspiration. It’s much better than training. The best thing you can do is inspire another person.”

The program isn’t meant to be the same for everyone. The workouts are tailored to the individual, and for those who’d rather go for a walk, that might be the right approach.

“We’re not letting up on this exercise thing. We see it as a spiral of constant small improvements. We want to turn that spiral around and tailor it to people.”

The company consists of 14 people, and several of them have key expertise and responsibilities within the business. When people feel good and stay healthy, the team becomes more sustainable, and the risk of customers being affected by employee absences decreases.

Our customers depend on us to deliver on our promises. We’re a small company, so every person is incredibly important. Key people are exactly that—keys: we can’t lose them, because then we won’t be able to unlock the doors.

He hopes the training will contribute to more energy and enthusiasm for work. According to Anders, people’s well-being and the company’s ability to deliver are closely intertwined.

Everyone’s climbing up the mountain

A major undertaking lies ahead: AM System is set to build and launch a new product. Anders describes it as a climb. Those who have recently entered the workforce get to help create something from the ground up. Those who have been with the company for many years get to experience it all over again.

“We’re heading up to Base Camp Three now. We’re taking everyone with us. No one will be left behind at Camp Two.”

The climb requires planning, the right conditions, and a team with the stamina to see it through. And even if the climb were to fail, Anders believes in trying again.

– My peak is when we’ve built a product where customers say, “I want this in my company.” A product people crave.

When Anders describes leadership and development, he keeps coming back to the human element: people who are trusted, find their partners, and build something together.