Page 13 - MELLBY_MAGASIN_EN_2024
P. 13
MARKET OUTLOOK
“We’re looking more at
add-on acquisitions than
completely new verticals”
At the turn of the year, Mikael Helmerson became CEO of Mellby Gård
and at the same time, Thomas Gustafsson left his operational role. Sven
Knutsson is thus the Group’s only Deputy CEO, an role that includes being
Mellby Gård’s owner representative on a number of boards.
Sven Knutsson has been Deputy CEO of the Group since 2021. good synergies between the two,” says Sven Knutsson. “It’s time-
In 2024 he was Chairman of the Board of the wholly owned consuming to find new brands that fit into our current brand portfolio,
companies Klarahill, Oscar Jacobson and Söderberg & Haak, have growth potential and also a good aftermarket. What’s pleasing is
as well as a member of the boards of Open Air Group, Duni Group and that we acquired three new contracting brands during the year, with
Kappahl. CEO Gustaf Thuresson doing a fantastic job. We’re now hoping for the
market to turn around, giving us a boost.”
“The role consists of two parts, and the part that clearly takes
the most time is being the owner representative of Mellby Gård by OSCAR JACOBSON FOCUSING ON GROWTH
chairing or being a member of the companies’ boards,” says Sven IN THE NORDICS
Knutsson. “I’m constantly in touch with the companies I’m respon- Ahead of 2024, Sven Knutsson was rather pessimistic about the
sible for, often on a daily basis, at least with the companies in which prospects for Oscar Jacobson. Inflation and mortgage rates were
Mellby Gård is the majority shareholder.” high at the beginning of the year, increasing the risk of negative
impact on consumers’ personal finances.
The second task involves examining and evaluating new business
opportunities. “Despite this, we have grown well and demonstrated good
profitability,” says Sven Knutsson.
“This work has increasingly shifted towards identifying additional
opportunities, that is, we’re looking more at add-on acquisitions for Two years ago, the decision was made to concentrate geographi-
the companies we already own rather than seeking out completely cally on Sweden and Norway and to add Denmark. The company set
new verticals,” says Sven Knutsson. up a joint venture in Denmark, opening four stores, and sales were
on an upward trend. E-commerce is in full swing, with growing brand
KLARAHILL’S LONG-TERM STRATEGY IS WORKING awareness.
Klarahill’s overall strategy is to grow through acquisitions and
develop the companies acquired, particularly by transferring legal “Oscar Jacobson has broadened its range, going from suits, jackets
business to its sister company Verahill. Klarahill has been successful and trousers accounting for 80 percent of sales to around 50 percent
and covers large parts of Sweden today. today,” says Sven Knutsson. “This is a conscious decision. “Our
strategy to grow in our own channels requires a broad range.”
“The funeral industry is conservative, yet I have never come across
an industry where there is such professional pride,” says Sven Knuts- A LOT GOING ON IN THE OPEN AIR GROUP
son. “Klarahill came in like a breath of fresh air, but was initially met Sven Knutsson’s fourth company is the partly owned Open Air Group.
with some scepticism. As we’ve demonstrated that we’re serious in The company operates in three segments, the common thread being
this endeavour and are taking a long-term approach, the perception the green outdoor target audience, which he defines as people
of us has changed. Today, it’s not uncommon for us to be approached “spending time in nature without overly raising their heart rate”.
by owners when they want to sell all or part of their companies.”
“In recent years, Open Air Group acquired four companies in the
At the end of 2024, there was a change of ownership, with Johan Tech segment, which have now been merged into one,” says Sven
Andersson’s private company purchasing Klarahill and Verahill from Knutsson. “The Brands segment includes Mellby Gård’s former brand
Mellby Gård. Their operations were not affected, and the company’s Chevalier along with Alaska, plus Aclima, which was acquired last
strategy remains unchanged. year. The third segment is Retail, that is, the e-commerce websites
Widforss in Sweden and Retkitukku in Finland, supplemented in 2024
BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD FOR SÖDERBERG & HAAK by Milrab in Norway. Throughout the year, there has been incredibly
Söderberg & Haak encountered a number of challenges in recent high activity in the various parts of the company. Now, as the pieces
years, most recently last year when a number of agricultural brands are falling into place, we are shifting our focus towards increasing
left the company. profitability.”
“The strategy now is to gradually shift the focus towards
contracting while maintaining a foothold in agriculture, as there are
13
