2026-10-08

Tomas Brucefors – From Assistant Accountant to Chairman of the Board

When Tomas Brucefors joined Rekal as an assistant accountant in 1998, there was no master plan. There was simply an open position and an interest in the family business founded by his father, Anders. Nearly 30 years later, Tomas is Chairman of the Board, and Rekal is entering an exciting new chapter: Sandberg Development as a co-owner and new opportunities together with sister companies Nordisk Clean Solutions and Silanos within the newly established Aqvancia Group, where Tomas will now take on the role of CFO of Aqvancia Services.

Focusing on the Whole Business

Rekal was founded in 1987 in the Swedish town of Gnesta by Anders Brucefors. The company develops, manufactures and supplies eco-labelled hygiene and cleaning products for professional kitchens in hotels, restaurants, industry and the public sector across Sweden and the Nordic region.

After finishing school and completing military service, Tomas joined the company as an assistant accountant and never left. With guidance from the company’s CFO and studies at the Swedish Institute of Business Administration, he eventually took over the position as CFO and later became CEO.

- I have always been interested in entrepreneurship, even if I didn't think of it that way at the time. Over the years, I developed a deeper interest in the company as a whole: not just finances, but also customer relationships and business development.

Tomas’ two older brothers are also active in the business. His middle brother, Andreas, joined about the same time as Tomas, initially as a field technician, and eventually took responsibility for the production. A few years later, the eldest brother, Mattias, joined the company, bringing marketing expertise and experience from ICA. Today, he is responsible for the company’s Public Sector business area.

In 2022, Tomas stepped into the role of Chairman of the Board when Mikael Sälg joined the company as external CEO. The position has allowed him to focus more on long-term strategic development.

A New and Stronger Offering for the Entire Dishwashing Operation

In spring 2025, Rekal was introduced to Sandberg Development, which had built a strong offering within professional warewashing through dishwasher manufacturers Silanos and Nordisk Clean Solutions. With Rekal joining the group, the opportunity emerged to offer the entire value chain, from dishwashing equipment to consumables and service.

- It was simply good timing. We needed a new partner with strength and a long-term perspective that we could grow with. From the start, it felt like Sandberg Development understood who we are.

The transaction was completed in May 2026. Rekal’s operations will continue in Gnesta, but with new opportunities to scale internationally through the established markets and presence of Nordisk Clean Solutions and Silanos. In October, Aqvancia Group was established as a group structure bringing together the three operating companies along with a dedicated service company. The ambition is to simplify life for customers by providing multiple solutions through a single supplier.

- We have high expectations. Together within Aqvancia Group, there is tremendous potential to build something new and different around the dishwashing operation, something that no one else is doing in quite the same way.

Five Quick Questions with Tomas

Ideal day off: Running, preferably with the dog, and spending time with family
Currently reading: Historical narratives and biographies. On the bedside table right now is Dreams of Evil Nights by Peter Englund.
Listening to: 1980s rock and pop
Unexpected talent: Has completed the Vasaloppet cross-country ski race four times
Proud of: I’m always proud of my children!