Making Room for the Game: How Ahlström & Persson Helped Prepare Sweden’s Finest Golf Course
When a construction project at one of Sweden’s most prestigious golf courses suddenly ran into trouble, time quickly became money. Heavy machinery stood still, costs were rising by the hour, and the only solution was clear: the water level in the lake had to come down, and fast.
That’s when Peab picked up the phone to Ahlström & Persson.
“They knew who to call,” says Jonas Eneberg, Managing Director of the Malmö-based pump service company. “We have worked together for many years. When they need help, they call us directly.”
An Urgent Assignment
The project took place at PGA National in Bara, just outside Malmö, widely regarded as Sweden’s finest golf course. Peab had been tasked with reinforcing the shoreline with stone to prevent erosion, but unusually high water levels made the work impossible.
The solution was to lower the lake by about one to one and a half metres so excavators could access the shoreline and begin construction.
“They had several excavators standing ready, waiting,” Jonas explains. “When heavy machinery like that is left idle, it quickly becomes very costly, so this became an urgent job.”
We usually say we are like an ambulance. You call, we come.
A Fast and Collaborative Solution
Through their River Group network, Jonas and Site Manager Benny Jakobsson contacted Danish partner Elmodan, who quickly supplied portable diesel pumps.
“We called our friends across the Øresund. They delivered the first pump the same day,” Jonas says.
For nearly three to four weeks, the pumps worked continuously, lowering the water level enough for Peab to begin placing the protective stone along the lake.
The pumped water was safely redirected into a nearby river about 100 metres from the site, making the operation both practical and efficient.
Built on Trust
For Jonas and Benny, the project is a good example of how long-term relationships shape their daily work.
“It all comes down to trust,” Benny says. “When customers know you will solve the problem, there is no discussion. You just get the call and get to work.”
That trust has been built over many years. Founded in 1945, Ahlström & Persson has evolved from a small industrial company into a specialised pump service provider. Today, the company has ten employees and service as its clear core business.
“We are a service company at heart,” Jonas says. “Our strength is that we are always close to the customer. When something happens, we respond quickly. We usually say we are like an ambulance. You call, we come.”
The Strength of Collaboration
The project also highlights the importance of collaboration within River Group. Without their network, accessing the right equipment at short notice would have been much more difficult.
“We don’t own these types of pumps ourselves,” Jonas explains. “That’s why it’s so valuable to be part of River Group. We can help each other and find solutions together.”
The cooperation with Elmodan, led by Managing Director Bo Rocatis, is one example of this cross-border teamwork.
Relationships That Last
Today, Ahlström & Persson manages more than 100 service agreements in the Malmö region and works with both small local customers and large industrial clients.
But regardless of size, the philosophy remains the same.
“Relationships are everything in this business,” Jonas says. “If you take care of your customers, they will come back when they need you.”
As for the golf course project, the pumps have now been removed and the construction completed. If rising water levels create new challenges, Jonas is confident what will happen next.
“If they need help again, they know who to call.”
