While the journey isn’t without its challenges, the growing presence of women in key roles is reshaping the industry’s landscape, sparking innovation, collaboration, and diversity. Exemplary for their journey, we interviewed four women at Lämneå Bruk to better understand their experiences. Their stories reveal a blend of courage, growth, and humour, offering insights into the evolving role of women in this sector.

Swedish wire machinery manufacturer Lämneå Bruk pushes against gender stereotypes by creating an equal work environment and by empowering women to take over leading roles within the company. The company believes in flat hierarchies to unlock the full potential of their skilled workforce. Their inclusive environment where every voice matters, making Lämneå Bruk a place where diversity thrives, and collective growth is celebrated.

From chance to choice
For many women, entering the wire industry wasn’t a lifelong dream – it was often coincidence. Take Therese Malmsten, for instance, who transitioned from healthcare to mining before finally landing in wire manufacturing as a purchaser at Lämneå Bruk. “I didn’t even know what a wire drawing machine was,” she jokes. But today, Therese thrives in her role, managing subcontractor relations and supply chains with ease, proving that adaptability and curiosity can lead to unexpected career fulfillment.

Anna Jonsson, team leader in the paint shop, echoes this sentiment. She shifted from dairy farming to industrial work, seeking better hours to balance her family life. Now, she leads a team, assessing priorities with precision and enjoying the varied tasks the job offers.

For Felicia, a freight assistant, her passion for mechanics and logistics was sparked by a childhood in motorsport. Meanwhile, Sukaina, an electrical assembler, turned away from economics into electrical engineering, driven by her desire for practical work and a fair dose of Scandinavian pragmatism (“Piteå (a town in Northern Sweden) was just too cold,” she jokes).

Challenges ahead
While these women navigate a male-dominated field, their experiences vary. Sukaina highlights subtle comments like “watch your nails,” while Therese reflects on how her younger self struggled more with confidence in male-dominated spaces. Yet, across the board, these women emphasize that the challenges can be conquered.

 “I think women sometimes bring an attention to detail that’s crucial in our work,” says Sukaina. She adds, with a laugh, that her error-free record in electrical assembly might just prove her point. Anna notes that women often contribute a precision that complements the straightforwardness of male colleagues, creating a balanced and effective work environment.

 The sometimes-hard physical labour in the manufacturing industry is often cited as a barrier, but modern tools and processes are leveling the field. As Felicia puts it, “Today, it doesn’t matter what gender you are—if you enjoy it, it’s worth giving it a shot.”

Building careers and breaking stereotypes
Milestones are a recurring theme in their stories. Felicia recalls the pride of completing her first machine assembly, while Anna beams when describing her transition to team leader. Sukaina cherishes seeing the entire production chain and understanding the machines she helps create, having started by assembling electrical cabinets without knowing their purpose.

Perhaps most inspiring is their shared sense of pride in contributing to the industry’s growth and international reach. As Therese rightly summarizes, “I had no idea how big Lämneå Bruk is internationally and I think it’s great to contribute to this growing customer base.”

A word of advice
So, what does the future hold for women in the wire industry? Progress, these women agree, is visible. More women are joining the field, and companies like Lämneå Bruk are actively fostering inclusive environments.
Yet, barriers remain. Anna and Sukaina both emphasize the need for better marketing to showcase industrial roles to women. “If we show what we do and how we work, more women might dare to try,” says Sukaina.
Anna’s advice? “Learn about the company culture—places like Lämneå Bruk are different and offer variety in tasks.”
Therese adds, “It’s not about being big and strong anymore. If you’re curious, take the leap.”

Final thoughts
As these women pave the way for others, the wire industry stands at a crossroads. With increasing visibility, supportive workplaces, and more women breaking the glass ceiling, the future looks promising. The challenges are real, but the opportunities are boundless. And as Lämneå Bruk proves, diversity isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about creating a workplace where everyone, regardless of gender, thrives and contributes to shaping the industry’s future. Who knows? Maybe one day, “women in the wire industry” will be less of a rare headline and more of a norm. But for now, these empowered women are showing us how to draw new lines in an old industry.

Lämneå Bruk AB
61273 Ljusfallshammar
Sweden
Contact person is Ann Kathrin Hassenburs
Tel.: +60 11 14153593
annkathrin.hassenburs@lamnea.se
www.lamnea.com

About Women4Metals
Women4Metals is an industry-specific women‘s empowerment initiative in the metal industry that was founded by Aurubis in 2019. Since October 2022, the network has been open to other companies/organizations in the industry that want to join us in making the industry more appealing to women. Their vision is to jointly establish the metal industry as an attractive employer for women, where fair conditions (transparent career paths, work-life balance, equal pay, etc.) prevail for all. Within the network, they want to support each other and, as role models, inspire other women with their passion for this industry. Aurubis AG is the initiator and main sponsor of W4M.
The network is officially supported by various companies, associations, universities, start-ups, and self-employed individuals in the metal industry who contribute to the growth and progress of the network as official partners/supporters. Together with diverse representatives of their partners, they have established an advisory committee that provides guidance and recommendations for the strategic direction and development of the network. Through this network, they want to attract more women to the metal industry, fill more key positions with women, and generally support women on their career paths. Furthermore, they would like to put more focus on the female perspective for the ongoing development of the metal industry. Women will gain more visibility in the metal industry and in their companies. Their network makes it possible for us to appear together, e.g., at trade fairs and industry meetings. With W4M, equal opportunities in the metal industry can be actively demanded and enforced, and employer conditions for women can be revised and improved. They are happy to welcome anyone working in the metal industry who would like to become part of our network and thus support our overarching vision. Whether individually or as a whole company or association, university or start-up, of any gender, age, nationality, etc., everyone is invited to join!
https://www.aurubis.com/en/responsibility/people/women4metals