Swedish businesses outline North West success stories
11,000 people in the North West work for Swedish owned businesses and the Swedish Embassy in London is keen to grow that number.
That was just one of a number of surprising facts to emerge from an afternoon of sectoral insights, success stories, and high-level networking in Manchester, organised by Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency MIDAS in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in London, the British Embassy in Stockholm, and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK.
After an introduction to the highlights of the regional economy from TheBusinessDesk.com and David Hilton from MIDAS, Swedish businesses investing in the region also presented a range of opportunities and insights.
Cliff Eccles told of how his business Estokil has benefited from investment in digital technology to control pests since being taken over by Antisimex, a Swedish business.
Jo Pybus, Sustainability and Public Affairs Manager, Essity outlined the environmental measures underway in the paper mills in Ramsbottom and Skelmersdale, including a £2m project at the Lancashire plant to use hydrogen fuel cell technology.
Jenny Cundiff, Deputy Branch Manager, Handelsbanken spoke about the importance of values to running the business banking operation which has adopted a different and more traditional relationship model.
Kimberly Roberts, finance manager at games company Avalanche, founded in 2003 by Linus Blomberg and Christofer Sundberg and famous for developing the Just Cause series of games, said she’s been having positive dialogue with universities about skills.
Michael Parker, area Manager UK and Ireland for IKEA explained the rolling out of the click and collect stores around the North West.
