Fagerhult
WINNER OF THE 2017 GOLDEN GAVEL – LISTED COMPANIES
The jury’s announcement
Jan Svensson took over as Chair of the Board of Fagerhult at the annual general meeting in 2008. Since then, the number of employees has increased by 40 per cent, turnover has doubled and the share price has increased more than fivefold, making it now one of Europe’s leading lighting companies, operating in 24 countries.
Jan Svensson has played a key role in this development. Following a successful change of CEO during his first year in the chair, his foresight and courage have made him a driving force for the transformation of the firm into the modern and dynamic lighting company that Fagerhult is today. The work of the Fagerhult board is characterised by long-termism, along with ambitious goals for the company’s development, a sharp focus on profitability and an open discussion climate that enables issues to be examined from all perspectives. Jan’s commitment to greater gender equality in the corporate sector means that these issues also feature prominently on the board’s agenda.
The role of chair of a listed company on the mandate of the principal owner and with a previously dominant shareholder family on the board is challenging and demands that the different shareholder interests be met in a balanced way. Jan Svensson fulfills this role in an exemplary manner.
Fact file
Jan Svensson
Chair of the Board of Fagerhult since 2008
Educational background
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Master of Business Administration
Other current directorships
Chair of the Board of Oxeon AB, Nederman Holding AB, Tomra Systems ASA and Troax Nordic AB. Board member of Loomis AB and Assa Abloy AB.
About the company
Company name
AB Fagerhult
Domicile
Habo, Jönköping County, Sweden
Fagerhult is one of Europe’s leading lighting companies, with approximately 2,800 employees in 24 countries. Fagerhult develops, manufactures and markets innovative and energy-efficient lighting solutions for professional indoor and outdoor environments. Over the years, several strong brands in lighting fixtures have been added to Fagerhult through acquisitions. Fagerhult’s operations are divided into four geographical business areas: Northern Europe, UK & Ireland, Western & Southern Europe and Africa, Asia & Australia.
The company’s Indoor product range, which accounts for about two thirds of sales, includes lighting for offices, schools and healthcare. The product range Retail, which accounts for more than a quarter of sales, develops lighting solutions for stores and shop windows to promote brands and stimulate consumer activity. The final and smallest business area, Outdoor, accounts for 8-9 per cent of total sales.
| Key figures | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Turnover (MSEK) | 3 095 | 3 736 | 3 909 | 4 490 |
| Profit after financial items (MSEK) | 278 | 379 | 396 | 524 |
| Number of employees | 2 204 | 2 370 | 2 451 | 2 787 |
