WP: Tapflo is celebrating 45 years in business. How did the journey begin?
BJ: My passion for technical challenges started early. As a young boy, I spent countless hours in my father’s garage, repairing his SAAB car, disassembling engines, and learning how it all fitted together. When I got older and started working in the pump industry, I quickly realized there was a demand for industrial pumps, especially high-quality diaphragm pumps for chemicals. When I couldn’t find one that met my standards, the idea of developing one myself started to form. After the working day was over, I took evening courses in CAD, and made the first prototypes of a plastic diaphragm pump. Today, we have evolved from a small company into an international group. Our production, equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, ensures full control over the entire process from start to finish, and I’m very proud to see the continuous development.
WP: How is Tapflo expanding its portfolio?
BJ: Tapflo’s portfolio has expanded significantly over the years. Today, our range includes much more than diaphragm pumps. We have added centrifugal pumps, a perfect complement to our existing products, as well as peristaltic pumps. We are always looking ahead to meet our customers’ needs. For example, in 2019, we introduced electric motor-driven diaphragm pumps due to growing demand. Each year, we offer dozens of variations and solutions tailored to specific requirements.
WP: What is the key to Tapflo’s success?
BJ: What makes Tapflo unique? It’s difficult to single out one factor, but our Swedish origin and design philosophy laid the foundation. Sweden is renowned for its innovative spirit and commitment to quality. Swedish design is synonymous with simplicity, functionality, and elegance – principles that have guided Tapflo from the very beginning. Another important factor is our customer focus. We are problem-solvers and want to help our customers. By adapting and developing our products to meet their needs, we now have a broad and versatile product portfolio.
We offer the option to test pumps, a feature highly valued by many of our clients. We have an impressive list of references and continuously stock over 3000 pumps, allowing us to deliver quickly and efficiently. We prioritize short delivery times to support our customers’ operations. Speed matters, and so does safety on the customer’s site.
Other important reasons for our success are our dedicated teams all over the world. The fact that we attract the best people in the industry has made a significant impact on our growth. Today, Tapflo operates in over 75 countries, and in Europe – our home market – we have offices in nearly every country. We could not have done this journey without our skilled team!
WP: You mentioned you value simplicity. What does this mean to you?
BJ: I often say, “Simple is art.” In the pump industry, simplicity is often overlooked. Many companies tend to complicate things, whereas true innovation lies in simplicity. Streamlining processes is an art, and our product embodies that philosophy. We concentrate on the essentials, crafting pumps with fewer parts without compromising on quality and efficiency.
WP: How would you describe the Tapflo culture?
BJ: It’s more than just collaboration and teamwork—it’s about connection. We are a Tapflo family and truly enjoy exchanging ideas and sparking creativity together. True innovation thrives when individuals feel comfortable experimenting, unafraid of making mistakes. This openness to new ideas drives our progress.
WP: What does the future hold for Tapflo?
BJ: The future of Tapflo is bright and full of potential! As a family company, we are driven by a shared vision and a commitment to excellence. My daughter Emelie, who has been an integral part of our journey for over a decade, now leads Tapflo Sweden as managing director and serves on the board of Tapflo Group. Her journey from trainee to leader exemplifies our dedication to nurturing and fostering growth.
As we look to the future, we welcome new opportunities with excitement and approach challenges with confidence. With our strong foundation and long-term vision, we are committed to driving continuous growth and making a lasting impact on the world of industrial pumps.
This interview appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of World Pumps magazine. To read the full issue click here.
