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MARKET OUTLOOK
Industrial companies
heading for a record year
Mikael Helmerson, Deputy CEO of Mellby Gård, notes that demand for the
companies in Mellby Gård’s industrial vertical has held up well throughout
the year. All businesses got off to a good start after the pandemic, and
although everyone is talking about a downturn, this has not yet been visible
in the Group’s industrial companies.
Demand among industrial companies in Mellby Gård was SUSTAINABILITY INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT
good throughout 2022, and the year ended strongly. Mikael One trend running through all companies is sustainability, an area
Helmerson sees several reasons for this. that is high on Mellby Gård’s agenda.
“One reason is that demand in general in industry has been good;
another is that our companies have low exposure to sectors that “Sustainability issues are primarily the responsibility of each
have already experienced a downturn,” he says. “A significant portion company, as the conditions and requirements from public authorities
of Roxtec’s sales is, for example, in the energy sector, where future and customers differ greatly from one industry to another,” says
demand looks set to be higher in the future, and certain parts of Mikael Helmerson. “We constantly point out the importance
infrastructure, which also saw positive development. Where Feralco of continuous sustainability work and keeping up to date with
is concerned, demand is only marginally affected by the economy, as regulations and the opportunities that the transition has to offer.
its products involve the treatment of drinking water and wastewater.” Direct energy use is not a major concern for us, as our industrial
companies do not emit particularly large volumes of carbon dioxide.
“Instead, the big challenge for us has been at the other end, that However, it is important to keep track of our indirect impact, as we
is, obtaining raw materials and dealing with many of the challenges make purchases from companies that may have higher emissions.”
indirectly related to the war in Ukraine,” he continues. “A higher
energy price obviously also affects our industrial companies, mainly Digitization in a broader sense is another crucial long-term trend.
in terms of access to and prices of raw materials for Feralco.” In particular, Roxtec has been working for several years on digital
drawing tools and other forms of digital support for its customers.
CONCERNS ABOUT HIGH ENERGY PRICES Digital work is also an important part of Roxtec’s marketing, which
IN THE LONG TERM the company is investing heavily in and gradually improving.
Mikael Helmerson also expresses some concern about the long-term
effects of high energy prices. NEED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE RAPID ACTION
At the same time, the world surrounding Mellby Gård’s industrial
“We believe that energy prices will continue to be high for some vertical is moving increasingly rapidly, and it is important to be quick
time,” he says. “This could have major consequences, including off the mark and adaptable, according to Mikael Helmerson.
changes to the structure of European basic industries. If the
difference between energy costs in Europe and the rest of the world “The major global events of recent years underline the importance
persists, it will be difficult to achieve profitability, for example in of keeping our ear to the ground so that we can quickly adjust
certain parts of the chemical industry. For many companies using our operations,” he says. “Monitoring the geopolitical situation in
by-products from these industries, such as Feralco, the conditions particular has become even more important. Protectionism is gaining
will change.” ground in many countries, and we need to plan for this.”
Naturally, inflation and the higher level of interest rates also affect It is also a major advantage to work closely with colleagues at
Mellby Gård’s industrial vertical. Mellby Gård who work in other industries.
“Within the Group, we’ve talked a lot about how to compensate “After almost eight years as CEO of Roxtec, I’ve now been Deputy
for this with price increases,” says Mikael Helmerson. “We are well CEO of Mellby Gård for almost two years,” says Mikael Helmerson.
trained in this area, which I think has helped ensure that these “It’s very exciting and stimulating to be part of the team with Johan
changes have gone more smoothly for us than for many others. Andersson, CEO of Mellby Gård, and other colleagues in the Malmö
Customers have generally accepted the price increases, and I’m office. I work in close dialogue with Thomas Gustafsson and Sven
happy with how we’ve managed to implement them, which have been Knutsson, the two other Deputy CEOs at Mellby Gård. By keeping
necessary due to higher costs.” each other updated on what’s going on in different industries, we can
quickly and efficiently pass on information and knowledge between
the different companies, which is to everyone’s benefit.”
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