Fredrik Lundberg. Photo: Magnus Hjalmarsson Neideman
positions of power in it Swedish business community has been stirred to its foundations by the SCA transaction, as SvD Business revealed in 2014. And it continues. Now Lundberg sphere strengthens its position further. At the same time Handelsbanken sphere to completely disappear as a concept.
For less than a year ago, Handelsbanken sold its shares in SCA, yesterday sold the bank also its holding in Industrivärden. On Thursday morning, it was revealed that the financier Fredrik Lundberg, both privately and through the investment company LE Lundberg companies, bought almost half of the shares (about 13 million) by Handelsbanken sold. This strengthens Fredrik Lundberg its influence further and become by far the largest owner of Industrivärden.
– We like Industrivärden and its portfolio and we are making this investment because we believe it will be a good capital investment, says Fredrik Lundberg. He is Chairman of Industrivärden since last year.
Lundbergföretagen purchase of A shares in Industrivärden is an investment that amounts to nearly 1.4 billion. Fredrik Lundberg was also purchased additional shares in Industrivärden private for about 600 million. It was an easy decision, he thinks.
– Now encountered this situation and then judged me and also Lundbergföretagen Board that it was a favorable position, and we are happy to increase exposure.
It is important that the bank can concentrate on its main business, to be a bank for private individuals and companies, and does not own shares in various companies.
the deal also means that it criticized the cross-ownership in the spheres coming to an end.
– Yes, cross-ownership is disappearing now. It has decreased significantly by both SCA’s sales last year and Handelsbanken now,
Has it been important to you?
– I think it’s good it decreases. It is important that the bank can concentrate on its main business, to be a bank for private individuals and companies, and does not own shares in various companies. And as for the SCA has full focus on its industrial operations.
When Fredrik Lundberg asked about the best part of Industrivärden he thinks a brief second before he flat responds that it is “a good company with a portfolio with great company and a good president and a good organization. “
– We have eight companies and there is not very much, I think it’s a fairly concentrated portfolio, he said.
– we will continue working for the strategy we have, that is, value-creating asset management through long-term ownership. Since I can not go into future business.
Ericsson is one of Industrivärden’s problem child. The company has been under fire over the summer and CEO Hans Vestberg has had to leave his post. But if Industrivärden will dispose of the holding Lundberg would not say anything about.
– We are committed to creating value in the companies in which we are shareholders. I am disappointed how the development has been the recent Ericsson, it’s me. But it is not the same as leaving the company.
What do you do about your disappointment?
– We as owners participate in the nomination committee to get a so good board as possible. Then we have the Helena Stjernholm (Industrivärden’s CEO reds. Note) on the board and then he can work for it to go as well as possible.
Svenska Dagbladet has previously reported that large shareholders in Ericsson to replace the company’s Chairman Leif Johansson after the telecom giant’s many setbacks. But Fredrik Lundberg is cautious in his comments and give the common answer:
– We have contributed to the proposal that the meeting had to consider, and we stand behind it. So we stand behind the election of the President as well.
As late as the Wednesday also announced SCA, Industrivärden, they cleave their hygiene and forest operations to two listed companies.
– I think it’s good. It puts the focus on each activity and shareholders, one can choose whether to remain in both, or neither, so it increases the flexibility for shareholders.
Sverker Martin-Löf, former Chairman of the SCA, was always against a cutting, and it is clear that the relationship is cool between the two bigwigs.
– I have no relationship to Sverker, says Fredrik Lundberg card.
– I have not found any reason for it.
Fredrik Lundberg is is also the principal owner of the forestry company Holmen. Many in the industry believe that a merger of Holmen, and SCA long been Fredrik Lundberg’s plan. There is nothing he himself, however, to confirm.
– There is an issue, other than the companies have created. It has never to my knowledge been discussed a merger of these companies. So the question is not at all up to date.
But you must have thought of the idea?
– Yes, but there are many thoughts you think and the many possible combinations to do, but there is no basis to have opinion about this would be right or wrong.
another business that is mentioned in the market is to divide truck giant Volvo in two companies, one for movers and one of the trucks. But there seems to be a sensitive issue. Fredrik Lundberg would not even answer whether you have discussed this idea or thought. He just repeats several times:
– I can not comment on it.
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