Be-Ge Anniversary Magazine

Anniversary MAGAZINE

Our motivation is development

1934–2024

Contents 3

Welcome

4

The future

5

Our owners

6

Timeline

8

Be-Ge Seating Division

12 Be-Ge Component Division 16

Be-Ge Vehicle Division

22 Community involvement and sponsorships

Production: Roxx Communication Group, www.roxx.se Editor in charge: Håkan Hjalmarsson. Project manager: Micael Lindgren. Text: Janne Larsson and Anna Amnéus. Photography: Örjan Karlsson, Philip Rosen and Be-Ge’s own pictures. Graphic design: Sebastian Ekberg. Printed by: Tryckservice, 2024. We assume no liability for proof-reading or printing errors.

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Welcome to a fit and healthy nonagenarian!

It is with great pleasure that we now look back on the Be-Ge Group’s extremely eventful and interesting development since its inception 90 years ago. It all began in 1934 when Bror Göthe Persson, a true visionary, realised the significance of the motor car and founded the company. 26 years earlier, Henry Ford had begun producing his Model T Ford, and in 1902 the first Swedish truck had been built by Maskinaktiebolaget Scania in Malmö.

Our history is marked by a number of milestones.

In 1941, Be-Ge Bil became a sales agent for ScaniaVabis trucks, making us the world’s oldest privately owned Scania agent. In terms of cars, the Group has shared a long history with Volkswagen, as the sale of VWs was already begun in 1951. In 1946, AB Be-Ge Karosserifabrik was established for the manufacture of truck cabs. This business was acquired by ScaniaVabis in 1966, with the exception of the driver seat manufacturing division which Be-Ge retained under its own ownership. The manufacture of truck cabs still takes place in Oskarshamn and is today the county’s largest private employer.

Now we are confronting new, exciting challenges and charting our course for the coming years. Our objective is to continue growing and investing in our businesses. These are companies with a long history, and in many cases they have been with us ever since Be-Ge started in the vehicle trade and began developing and manufacturing the first driver seats for commercial vehicles. Since then, new business areas have gradually been added.

consolidated corporation with extensive operations in six countries. Our Be-Ge spirit is characterised by a genuine entrepreneurial bent, based on a marked curiosity and the desire to constantly develop. In its approach, Be-Ge typifies its home province of Småland in Sweden. We have respect for how we use our resources and endeavour to develop the business responsibly over the long term. We have two particular strengths. In a family-owned company, the decision-making is always close at hand; and we have owners who show great commitment and take an active role in the business.

We also look after our staff, who are our most important asset and allow us to achieve success together. Through our 25-Years Club and Seniors’ Club, employees who have ceased working for us after long and loyal service can continue to meet and socialise. This is a way of showing our appreciation for the efforts our staff have made for Be-Ge and helped the Group achieve the position it enjoys today.

Under Bror Göthe’s leadership, a highly successful business was developed along with the basis for a corporate culture – the Be-Ge spirit – which still permeates our work today.

“Cooperation brings success”, and the team spirit created at one time by Bror Göthe lives on!

Håkan Hjalmarsson, The Be-Ge Group is today a very fit and well-

Group CEO and CEO of Be-Ge Företagen AB

The Be-Ge Group Established: 1934 by Bror Göthe Persson.

Owners: A family-owned Group of companies.

Business areas: Be-Ge Seating Division, Be-Ge Component Division and Be-Ge Vehicle Division.

Operations in six countries: Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Germany.

Number of employees: Just over 560 employees.

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Has a strong belief in

continuous growth With 90 years of business behind, Be-Ge is now looking ahead and has charted its course and strategy for the coming years.

The Be-Ge Group’s owners want to continue developing the business and are keen to ensure that Be-Ge will remain in family ownership for a long time to come. It is by working for the long term in the sectors in which the Group is active that the conditions for this will be met. Today, the third generation of the Persson family is active in the company, and the aim is to bring in the next generation.

Strong belief in the future The Be-Ge Group’s strong financial position creates good conditions for the future.

“Our ambition is to continue growing by investing in existing businesses. We are also open to new acquisitions if they are a good match and add value that strengthens the Group,” says Be-Ge Group CEO Håkan Hjalmarsson.

“Growth in the business is a critical factor for the future, but we also have to have a Småland mindset and invest in the right things to get the best possible value from our investments.”

With a strong belief in the future, the Be-Ge Group is planning on making some significant investments in the not too distant future. Automation solutions using robot cells are planned for the Be-Ge Component Division, investments in the production process to deliver increased efficiencies are planned for the Be-Ge Seating Division, and in Hultsfred the Be-Ge Vehicle Division is extending its truck workshop.

Sustainable development The Group’s businesses also have a strong focus on sustainable development.

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“We need to continue our success as a supplier to customers and projects that address the green transition,” says Håkan.

“This requires our suppliers to adapt to our business, but we also need to impose stricter requirements on our own way of working.”

Investments are climate-smart.

“We are investing, among other things, in solar cell installations that reduce the energy need in our facilities. A climate-smart approach also extends to our plant machinery: an example is where we use fibre lasers instead of traditional equipment, as they require less energy,” says Håkan.

Skills in the future Skill provision is a great challenge for the Group if it is to continue being successful into the future.

“If we are to attract new employees, we need to ensure our brand is seen in a positive light. We are involved in schools, trying to awaken an interest in technology among young people, as well as in Be-Ge as a workplace. We also engage in networks with schools at various levels to influence their skills offering and the types of education and training we need over the long term,” says Håkan.

“Our ambition is to keep our head office in Oskarshamn, but this imposes high requirements on skills provision and the need to develop the infrastructure in our region.”

“It is thanks to our employees that Be-Ge became successful”

“As owners, we will continue to invest and develop our various business segments”

We are extremely proud that the firm that our father and grandfather started 90 years ago is still successful and owned by the family. It is thanks to our employees that the Group developed successfully. The Be-Ge spirit that grew up over the years very much explains why our employees feel at home in the Group’s various businesses.

Bror-Göthe was a true entrepreneur who started with a car workshop and motor trade business, but gradually added new businesses. The establishment of the coachwork factory (presentday Scania) and the production of the suspended driver seat are just a few examples. After the ownership transferred to the second and, as time went on, the third generation of the family, the work on developing and administering the different businesses continued. As a result, the Group today boasts sales of SEK 1.5 billion, has more than 550 employees and operations in six different countries.

Ingemar Persson and Per Erik Persson.

The long-term approach is important both for us as owners and for our businesses. It provides reassurance to our employees and creates good conditions to continue developing our various business areas. Together with a flat organisational structure with short decision-making pathways and respect for our employees, this has been Be-Ge’s recipe for success.

Our ambition and intent is that the Persson family should continue in the future as owners of the Be-Ge Group. The fourth generation of the family is therefore on the point of gradually entering into the ownership role.

As owners, we will continue to invest and develop our various business segments in the conviction that the Be-Ge Group will be successful for many years ahead!

Marie Vanjasdotter Erlandsson, Johan Persson and Ann-Sophie Lodge.

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Be-Ge’s journey 1934 – 2024 The Be-Ge Group has a successful and interesting history, which we are extremely proud to present.

Our timeline extends from 1934 into the present.

1946 Be-Ge Karosserifabrik AB is established.

1934 Bror Göthe Persson establishes the Be-Ge company. He was a true visionary and realised early on the significance of motoring. In that year he took over the import and sales of Ford cars in Oskarshamn.

1949 The first modern, suspended driver seats for commercial vehicles are developed.

1941 Be-Ge Bil becomes sales agent for Scania-Vabis trucks. Today, the company is the world’s oldest private Scania agent.

1951 Be-Ge Bil becomes sales agent for Volkswagen.

1966 Scania-Vabis acquires the coachwork factories. But the manufacture of truck cabs continues locally via the business operated by Scania Oskarshamn. Be-Ge retained the manufacture of the driver seats fitted inside the truck cabs and continued this business in the newly formed Be-Ge Stolindustri AB, now BeGe Seating AB.

1962 Be-Ge expands and builds a new factory for the manufacture of truck cabs in the Netherlands.

1987 Be-Ge Förarmiljö AB is established in Kolsva. It was designed to specialise in the sale of driver seats and equipment primarily for forestry machinery.

1993 Be-Ge Traktor & Maskin i Åstorp AB starts up, becoming general agent for Zetor tractors and Agrostroj agricultural machinery. In the same year, Bilcenter i Oskarshamn AB was established for the sale of Seat and later also Skoda cars.

1990 Be-Ge acquires the seat manufacturer Nyström Nordpatent AB in Umeå. Be-Ge Seating AB thus came into possession of a more extensive product range with bus and truck seats, as well as office seats. The same year saw the acquisition of Bil & Maskin AB in Vetlanda, which extended the sales region for the Group’s car and truck operations.

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2021 2018 2017

2019

2015

All companies in Be-Ge Seating Division are given the joint name Be-Ge Seating followed by the relevant country abbreviation for the type of company in question. The aim was to highlight the core activity.

Savas Seating B.V. and subsidiaries become fully owned subsidiaries of Be-Ge Seating AB, receiving the name Be-Ge Savas Seating B.V.

2014 The company expands in Europe when Be-Ge Seating AB acquires 80% of Savas Seating B.V. in Zaltbommel, the Netherlands, along with subsidiaries Savas Qualitätsitze GmbH in Germany and Savas N.V. in Belgium.

2012 Be-Ge Lastbilar’s new Scania and service facility in Hultsfred is inaugurated.

2010

2009

Part-owned Be-Ge Förarmiljö AB is sold off, the name being changed to Förarmiljö i Sverige AB.

Be-Ge Fastigheter AB is formed.

2008

2007

Be-Ge Amersanas UAB and BeGe Stece AB become fully owned subsidiaries of Be-Ge Företagen AB.

Be-Ge Företagen AB increases its ownership share of Stece AB to 50%.

2001 The Danish companies Jany Scandinavia A/S and Vald. Nielsen & Søn A/S are acquired.

The same year saw the acquisition of local company AB Oskarshamns Plåtindustri, now known as Be-Ge Plåtindustri AB.

2005

2006

The car plant in Oskarshamn is enlarged through significant refurbishment and extension work. Be-Ge Traktor & Maskin i Åstorp AB is sold off.

Be-Ge Företagen AB acquires 80% of Lithuanian company UAB Amersanas and a 33% stake in the engineering business Stece AB in Mönsterås. In the UK, Be-Ge Seating UK Ltd. is formed in Coventry.

2003 2002

Be-Ge’s seat manufacturing relocates from Umeå to Oskarshamn.

The Be-Ge Group celebrates its 90th anniversary.

The Mönsterås companies Frapett Produktion AB and Mönsterås Pressdetaljer AB are acquired.

Frysen Invest AB is acquired, along with subsidiaries Visby Tunga Fordon AB and Visby Fordonfinans AB. This allows Be-Ge Lastbilar to extend its region to also include Gotland. To cover the future need in assembly capacity for seats in Oskarshamn, the property at Järneken 5 was acquired.

2000

2024

Be-Ge Mönsterås Pressdetaljer AB’s industrial property is sold off via sale of the company.

Billackeringen E. Johansson AB in Oskarshamn is acquired for future expansion and investment in automotive and industrial painting within Be-Ge.

The companies Jany Scandinavia A/S and Vald. Nielsen A/S in Denmark are merged, and the office in Copenhagen is wound up.

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Be-Ge Seating Division Be-Ge Seating AB, Be-Ge Seating A/S, Be-Ge Seating B.V., Be-Ge Seating UK Ltd, Be-Ge Frapett AB, Be-Ge Seating GmbH

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BE-GE SEATING DIVISION

Be-Ge Frapett AB in Mönsterås manufactures work chairs for offices.

Ergonomic and comfortable seats for various areas If you have driven a bus, train, forestry machinery or truck, it is very likely you did so while sitting comfortably in a seat from Be-Ge Seating Division. The same applies to those who have sat in an office chair at work or have travelled as part of their work in ambulances or police vehicles. The companies are leading suppliers of ergonomic driver seats, passenger seats and chairs for office use and surveillance roles.

Today, Be-Ge Seating Division has operations in five countries: Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany. The family atmosphere, opportunities for development and confidence in each other are a consistent feature, regardless of where in Europe our employees work.

Focus on sustainability work Marion Nilsson has a background in corporate finance and environmental studies. She had just completed her university studies and was working in

sales in Lisbon when she was headhunted for the job as Environmental and Quality Coordinator at Be-Ge Frapett AB in Mönsterås. The company manufactures work chairs for offices.

“Although I had only been in Portugal for six months, it was easy to accept the offer and start at Be-Ge. The job is in line with what I had studied and the field I want to continue developing in. I have found a career here which feels exciting and meaningful,” she says.

For Marion, sustainability work is a passion, and her future dream is to see the sustainability department grow, and

that she should be involved in developing it.

“In my professional role Marion Nilsson I receive a lot of support and trust from the management for what I am doing. I appreciate the fact that the role is flexible and has opportunities for development,” she says, mentioning the possibility of remote working as an important part of ensuring work-life balance.

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BE-GE SEATING DIVISION

“Here everyone helps each other” Lasse Kloster is a production manager and has worked at Be-Ge Seating A/S in Denmark for more than a decade.

He describes a workplace culture characterised by a sense of community and continuous development. An early start is part of the daily routine for Lasse and his team. Planning starts as early as 5 a.m., and once the rest of the team arrives at 6 a.m., they are ready to set about the day’s production of passenger seats.

He describes the family atmosphere prevailing in the production department and how everyone helps each other as

part of the corporate spirit.

“None of us just looks after ourselves – everyone helps out. Because there are always new products in the pipeline, we never stop learning new things or developing. That’s one of the best things about the job!”

Confidence creates motivation Annelies Taupin is Dutch but has worked and lived in France for 25 years, 12 of which she has spent at Be-Ge Seating B.V. She is Senior Account Manager and responsible for key accounts and complex projects.

Here she has a unique opportunity to Lasse Kloster, Production Manager at Be-Ge Seating A/S.

Rubech Rasmussen and Susanne Fuglsang.

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BE-GE SEATING DIVISION

“An exciting challenge for us” “Daring to have confidence in one’s employees and encourage individual initiative in this way helps create commitment and motivation.” benefit from different cultures and perspectives, which provides inspiration and helps create a stimulating work environment.

“It’s fantastic to be able to work out of France and still have contact with the company, customers and suppliers all around Europe.

I get the opportunity to use my language skills and expand my network,” she says.

Annelies is involved in taking strategic decisions on sales and everything these entail: logistics, finance and administration. Her job is flexible and varied, and in her view there are opportunities to develop.

“I always have the opportunity to suggest and run projects I believe in. The management is incredibly responsive.

Daring to have confidence in one’s employees and encourage individual initiative in this way helps create commitment and motivation – that suits me,” concludes Annelies.

Be-Ge Seating Division works with global as well as local customers in a number of different industries. Our seats are used in laboratories, offices, alarm centres, the Swedish parliament, police cars, ambulances, mobility service vehicles, wheeled loaders, in dockyard cranes, forestry machinery, trains, trucks, boats, commercial vehicles, buses and many more locations.

Common to all of Be-Ge’s seats is that they contribute to a sustainable work environment for their users as they go about their day-to-day work. The products contain many different components in a variety of materials of high technological content and complexity. This, together with our customers’ high expectations, means that the work tasks are challenging and develop skills, regardless of the employee’s role in the company.

Annelies Taupin Senior Account Manager

Within Be-Ge Seating, 220 employees are responsible for developing and supplying customised seat solutions, but also for being constantly in motion. Constant development of the business is central to achieving our overriding aim.

Our success is determined by our common efforts to achieve the following: • Make Be-Ge better known and highlight what differentiates our brand from others.

• Position ourselves where our customers expect us to be, within the segments in which we have chosen to be active.

There are still many potential customers who have not yet discovered all the benefits of Be-Ge and our seats – and this is an exciting challenge for us.

This, together with the confidence in our products, the skills of our employees and the long-term perspective of our owners, means that we at Be-Ge Seating can view the future with great confidence.

Thomas Axelsson, Managing Director Be-Ge Seating AB

Gary Shaw, Managing Director Be-Ge Seating UK Ltd

Paul van der Westen, Managing Director Be-Ge Seating B.V./ GmbH

Erik Lodahl Andersen Managing Director Be-Ge Seating A/S

Henric Arvidsson Managing Director Be-Ge Frapett AB

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Be-Ge Component Division Be-Ge Stece AB, Be-Ge Plåtindustri AB, Be-Ge Baltic UAB, Be-Ge Lackering AB

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BE-GE COMPONENT DIVISION

Comprehensive industrial operation with a high level of expertise Be-Ge Component Division runs a comprehensive industrial operation with production centred on four units in Sweden and Lithuania. The companies manufacture sheet metal components, stamped parts, production tools for presses, as well as carrying out industrial sewing and painting.

Be-Ge Stece AB in Mönsterås specialises in the manufacture of stamped parts and production tools for presses for customers in the European automotive and engineering industry. Joakim Jidefur is their Production and Logistics Manager. He has been employed there for 24 years now.

“I appreciate all contact with customers and the fact that we are a very well-knit team. Our strengths are our great flexibility and the fact that we all stand by each other and take responsibility,” points out Joakim.

Continuous skills development The company’s employees possess well-

honed skills, and there is a wide range of expertise in materials technology among operators, welders and toolmakers.

“When it comes to tool design and manufacture, we assist the customer all the way from prototype to production batch delivery,” says Joakim.

Investments are constantly being made in both plant machinery and skills development.

“We are continually developing our employees and have inhouse training for welders and on machining techniques.

It is a good way to build on your skills and get the employees to grow in their roles.”

“Thanks to the high skill levels of

Joakim Jidefur is Production and Logistics Manager at Be-Ge Stece AB.

Be-Ge Baltic UAB in Klaipeda, Lithuania, carries out industrial sewing, mainly for the automotive industry and marine segments.

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BE-GE COMPONENT DIVISION

our employees we have developed and produced robot solutions involving welding robots and picking robots for our production line,” continues Joakim.

Creates commitment Stece has been in business since the 1950s. In 2006, the Be-Ge Group decided to acquire the successful company, and a few years later there was significant reorganisation. It was then that Joakim was appointed Production Manager.

“It was a new experience being a manager, but it has been an exciting journey,” he says.

The confidence and excellent Be-Ge spirit in the company mean a lot to him.

He manages the production department but has significant help from team leaders in the day-to-day running and has great confidence in his employees.

“Everything is working really well.

The fact that we cooperate closely with operators when setting deadlines for a delivery also creates commitment and a sense of participation among the employees.”

The manufacturing generally takes place based on forecasts, and they are in close contact with the customers.

“Sometimes the advance planning for an order can be short, but we make it work,” says Joakim.

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Industrial sewing The specialisations of Be-Ge Baltic UAB in Klaipeda, Lithuania, are industrial sewing, upholstery and assembly of components on a subcontractor basis.

The company has been part of the Be-Ge Group since 2006.

“We carry out industrial sewing, mainly for the automotive industry and marine segments, but also for furniture, wheelchairs, etc.,” explains Production Manager Algirdas Klovas.

The company has posted strong growth and development and is a wellestablished business with around 90 employees. The successes are based on major investments in a new factory with a modern sewing line and upgraded production equipment.

A job that develops you Algirdas appreciates the corporate culture of the Be-Ge Group, and points out that the management sees all employees, is responsive to them and wants to create a welcoming workplace.

“Be-Ge has modern corporate values and is constantly improving and developing the business.”

He also emphasises the opportunities for development employees enjoy.

“An important part of our culture is to be able to develop in your professional

role and grow as an individual.”

Algirdas feels a great sense of confidence and that his development is furthered when he is given responsibility for a project.

“One of the first projects I was allowed to manage was to improve the work environment and indoor climate in the factory. Now we have a modern cooling system in the production department,” he says.

Meeting people A central issue in being able to deliver products of uniformly high quality is to ensure the business is constantly improving.

“It’s important that all employees are involved. I spend a lot of time down on the shop floor, talking with employees and following the production process.

My ambition is to continuously develop my team.”

Working in an international company also means that there will be business trips abroad.

“It’s interesting to meet other people on factory visits and at trade fairs – you gain valuable experience and a better understanding of what our customers are looking for,” concludes Algirdas.

BE-GE COMPONENT DIVISION

“Our strengths are long-term partnerships and stable customer relationships” Be-Ge Component Division has a comprehensive industrial operation. Just over 230 employees develop, manufacture and deliver products and services of high quality. Our customers are external companies on a global market as well as internal businesses in the Be-Ge Group.

“An important part of our culture is to be able to develop in your professional role and grow as an individual.”

Algirdas Klovas

One company is Be-Ge Plåtindustri AB, founded in 1951, which manufactures and refines complex sheet metal components for the engineering industry. Another, Be-Ge Stece AB, can boast an equally long history. The company produces stamped sheet metal parts for the automotive and engineering industries and develops and manufactures tools on its customers’ behalf. Be-Ge Lackering AB has been in the Division since 2002 – it carries out industrial and automotive painting. Be-Ge Baltic UAB in Lithuania has been the fourth company in the Division since 2006. Its specialisations are industrial sewing, upholstery and assembly of components for customers in a variety of segments.

The companies have different specialisations and skills, but they collaborate and exchange experience with each other.

Our joint strengths are long-term partnerships and stable customer relationships. We are a reliable partner working for sustainable growth. Key factors for successful work in this area are great flexibility, excellent product quality and a high level of service.

Our latest customer survey indicates 99% customer satisfaction. We achieve this excellent result thanks to the fact that every day all our employees are highly serviceoriented.

The strength of the Group is our flat organisational structure, because we are quick on our feet and have short decision-making pathways. At the same time, very significant investments in new machinery and skills development create the required conditions for continued growth.

Birger Andersson, Managing Director Be-Ge Plåtindustri AB

Robert Nyqvist, Be-Ge Stece AB in Mönsterås specialises in the manufacture of stamped parts and production tools for presses for customers in the European automotive and engineering industry.

Managing Director Be-Ge Stece AB and Be-Ge Lackering AB

Vaida Vaicaitienè, Managing Director Be-Ge Baltic UAB

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Be-Ge Vehicle Division Be-Ge Lastbilar AB, Be-Ge Personbilar AB, Be-Ge Frysen AB, Be-Ge Fordonsfinans AB

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BE-GE VEHICLE DIVISION

Thomas Olofsson is Sales Manager at Be-Ge Lastbilar AB.

Be-Ge Lastbilar AB is an agent for Scania trucks and busses. The business is run from four dedicated facilities, strategically located in Oskarshamn, Hultsfred, Vetlanda and Visby, where servicing and repairs are carried out.

Industry of the future with considerable development potential Be-Ge Lastbilar AB is the world’s oldest privately owned Scania agent. Now the company is entering a new era through electric trucks.

Thomas Olofsson is Sales Manager and has been able to experience some very exciting technological developments since starting in 2006. At that time, there were more or less only diesel-powered trucks.

“I never thought I would get to sell an electric truck before my retirement, but we have now delivered our first electric vehicles,” he says.

Sustainable transport solutions are becoming increasingly important. Scania

currently offers vehicles that can run on fossil-free fuels like RME/HVO (bio­ diesel), biogas and electric power (BEV).

“Electric power is developing at an ever quicker rate, and this means we need to build up our skills base, with the help of experts and our supplier Scania,” says Thomas.

Our everyday heroes Michael Larsen has been Service Market Manager since 2018 but was taken on by

Be-Ge Lastbilar as long ago as 2001.

For a time, out of curiosity, he Michael Larsen would drive trucks in the evening as an additional job and as training.

“I’ve made good use of that experience in my current job, as it allows me to see and understand our customers’ needs for service-oriented workshops,” he says.

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BE-GE VEHICLE DIVISION

The technological developments in the sector require continuous skills development and building up an organisation that can deal with electric vehicles. Be-Ge Lastbilar is continually investing in facilities and staff to further improve the level of service offered.

“The workshop extension in Hultsfred means we now have even better conditions for ongoing maintenance and increased availability for customers. The same reasoning lay behind the earlier extension of the workshop in Vetlanda,” says Michael. He regards all employees as everyday heroes of the business.

“They all do an awesome job every day and contribute greatly to our success.”

“We operate in an industry of the future. So, if you want to work

in an exciting industry with lots of opportunities for development and you love technology, this is an obvious career choice,” continues Michael.

our best abilities mean that we have over time been very successful. Our strength is that we do that together,” he emphasises.

Feels proud

Used Vehicle Centre

The sense of enjoyment and family atmosphere in the company mean a lot to Thomas and Michael.

“If you have a strong interest in technology as I have, you won’t find a better position. Be-Ge is a fantastic employer. I usually joke that you get your own product number when you start at Be-Ge,” says Thomas, laughing.

Michael feels proud to represent BeGe Lastbilar.

“A strong sense of belonging and the fact that we serve our customers to

Be-Ge Lastbilar subscribes to the circular economy in various ways.

“For example, we buy spare parts from the chassis that Scania dismantles. Recycling is becoming a win-win situation for customers and the environment. In Hultsfred, we have created a Used Vehicle Centre where trucks that we receive as trade-ins are parked up. Michael Brodin is responsible for it, while other sales staff can concentrate on new vehicle sales,” concludes Thomas.

Johan Sandgren Asseryd at Be-Ge Lastbilar’s workshop in Hultsfred.

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BE-GE VEHICLE DIVISION

Electric vehicles mean new challenges Be-Ge Personbilar is one of Sweden’s oldest Volkswagen agents.

“It is interesting that Be-Ge has been selling the brand since 1951,” says Viktor Persson, Sales Manager at Be-Ge Personbilar in Oskarshamn.

The big challenge in the automotive industry is technological development, which has rapidly moved on from fossilfuel-powered vehicles, via hybrids to electric cars.

“To ensure we have done our homework and are kept up-to-date, we get ongoing skills development via our general agents. We undertake factory

Viktor Persson, Sales Manager

visits and are informed when new models are launched. This also allows us to build up an excellent network of contacts,” says Viktor.

Be-Ge Personbilar AB with operations in Oskarshamn and Vetlanda is an authorised agent for Volkswagen cars, Volkswagen commercial vehicles and Skoda cars. Fully equipped workshops in Oskarshamn and Vetlanda carry out servicing, repairs and other services.

so many people and help them in their choice of car.”

New vehicle technologies mean that sales staff encounter completely different questions from customers in their contacts with them, which increases the need to provide good advice.

“First we complete a needs analysis and look at various parameters to ensure the customer’s choice is the correct one. It’s important to look at the TCO value – the total cost of car ownership. We also offer various financing options,” says Viktor.

Cutting-edge workshop Customer encounters are different Viktor started as a car detailer in 2010, before becoming a salesman and taking up his current post in 2018.

“The best thing about my job is the contact with customers, to get to meet

Be-Ge Personbilar’s workshop in Vetlanda was early on one of today’s 39 battery repair centres in the whole of Sweden and is well-equipped to work on electric vehicles.

“The launch of electric vehicles has

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BE-GE VEHICLE DIVISION

“We intend to carry on being at the cutting edge” Be-Ge Vehicle Division has a long tradition when it comes to the marketing and sales of trucks and cars. We have been very successful on the market and we now have new challenges and continued success in our sights.

The Division holds agencies for Scania trucks and buses, Volkswagen cars, Volkswagen commercial vehicles and Skoda, as well as providing servicing, repairs and services within the relevant segments.

Andreas Krieg, Workshop Manager created completely different challenges. We have had to invest in new tools, new equipment and training for our employees,” says Workshop Manager Andreas Krieg.

All technicians have undergone general training on electric cars, which also covers the risks involved. Then there are different classifications for being able to work on electric cars, depending on whether the workshop has trained high-voltage technicians or high-voltage experts.

“We currently have one high-voltage expert but intend to have two in the future. Our technicians can therefore work on electric cars on their own,” says Andreas.

Highest classification Andreas has been with the company for 24 years and was handpicked immediately after his training on the vehicle programme.

As Workshop Manager, he runs and develops the business in Vetlanda. The latest addition is a newly built accident-damage workshop that meets the strict requirements set by VW. “Our damage workshop meets the highest classification, so we can undertake all types of job.

“We also carry out servicing and repair work and can offer a wide range of different services, such as tyre care and repairing damage from road chippings, etc. We are a very close-knit team, work well together and have fun together,” says Andreas.

Both Andreas and Viktor feel there is a confident, family atmosphere within the Be-Ge Group. They appreciate the fact that the Group invests in its companies and employees.

“I feel both responsibility and pride in working within Be-Ge. The Group looks after its employees and takes responsibility for the locations where we have a presence,” says Viktor.

What can we expect on the automotive side in the future?

“We will definitely see electric cars with smaller batteries and greater range,” concludes Andreas.

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The fact that our customers demand high standards from us inspires extra energy on our part to continue developing and take on new, interesting challenges. Today we have operations in Oskarshamn, Vetlanda, Hultsfred and Visby.

Every day, just over 110 loyal and vital employees put in a tremendous shift to provide our customers with the very best support.

The automotive industry currently faces the greatest change we have seen as a result of electric vehicles and digitalisation. At the same time, we are at the beginning of a transformation from fossil fuels to more sustainable alternatives, such as biogas, biodiesel, electricity and, more recently, also hydrogen.

To respond to market expectations, it is vital that we continually develop our employees’ skills. Our training initiatives relate to the entire workforce – technicians in the workshops, sales staff and administration.

Be-Ge Vehicle Division intends to carry on being at the cutting edge – we view current industry developments as a huge but exciting challenge with good future prospects.

It is gratifying to see that the Be-Ge Group also contributes to making the locations where we operate attractive. This represents significant involvement in the community, both for us who work in the company and for everyone who lives where we have an operational presence.

Tomas Engsund, Managing Director Be-Ge Lastbilar AB

Peter Ek, Managing Director Be-Ge Personbilar AB

Quality award gives further cause to celebrate Be-Ge Företagen AB has received the award Sweden’s Best Managed Companies 2024, sponsored by Deloitte.

Best Managed Companies is a quality award given to private Swedish companies based on criteria that assess strategic direction, operational capacity, corporate culture and financial development. The programme was founded by Deloitte in Canada in 1993 and has since been established in over 20 countries worldwide.

Sweden’s Best Managed Companies was launched in 2018 by Deloitte, and this year marks the sixth time the award is being presented. An independent jury has selected the 21 companies receiving the award this year.

“We are proud to present the award to these 21 companies and celebrate their success. All companies on this year’s list

show exceptional leadership and a strong commitment to creating well-functioning processes and a positive culture,” says Therese Kjellberg, partner at Deloitte and responsible for Best Managed Companies in Sweden.

Group CEO and CEO of Be-Ge Företagen AB Håkan Hjalmarsson comments: “We are proud and pleased to be recognised as one of Sweden’s Best Managed Companies. It is an acknowledgement of the Group’s and its employees’ successful approach to operating the business and the aspiration to constantly work on development and improvement. That the award from Deloitte is received in the year the Be-Ge Group turns 90 means that there is further cause to celebrate our success!”

“It is an acknowledgement of the Group’s and its employees’ successful approach to operating the business.”

Håkan Hjalmarsson

Henric Arvidsson, Marie-Therese Jansson, Håkan Hjalmarsson and Thomas Axelsson.

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SPONSORSHIPS

“We must be an actor of community involvement” The Group demonstrates significant community involvement in its desire to look after Oskarshamn and other locations where Be-Ge has its operations, as well as sponsoring local clubs and associations.

Håkan Hjalmarsson and Johan Persson are clear that the company must be an actor of community involvement at all locations where the Group has its operations.

“It is important that the locations are seen to be attractive places in which to live and work. In the long term, in terms of also attracting new employees, it is important that they have a positive impression of Oskarshamn, Visby, Vetlanda, Mönsterås and Hultsfred, and that families with children feel they are safe environments in which their children can grow up,” says Johan.

“Contributing to local clubs, associations and other activities generates pride in Be-Ge as an actor among our employees,” continues Håkan.

Strengthen the brand The Group’s community involvement and sponsorship initiatives also have a branding purpose.

“To strengthen the brand and increase recognition of Be-Ge, we have a longterm partnership with ice-hockey club IK Oskarshamn,” says Håkan.

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“We also sponsor other sports clubs and demonstrate social commitment. A few examples of the activities we support are the ‘Hela människan’ organisation, which tries to give homeless people a new start in life, and Light of Day. This is a musical show that is performed in several countries to support research into ALS and Parkinson’s Disease.

“Another organisation that Be-Ge contributes to is World Childhood Foundation, which safeguards the right of the child to a safe and loving childhood.”

Music and culture A trust formed by the owner-family supports various parishes and communities in Oskarshamn.

Be-Ge is also involved in cultural activities and events like Latitud 57 in Oskarshamn and Bluesfestivalen in Mönsterås, etc.

The Group’s social commitment also involves looking after employees and welcoming them all to the Seniors’ Club’s activities once they have ceased working after long and loyal service.

A few examples of the activities we support

Hela människan We support the “Hela människan” organisation, which tries to give homeless people a new start in life.

IK Oskarshamn Light of Day A musical show that is performed in several countries to support research into ALS and Parkinson’s Disease.

Be-Ge has a longterm partnership with ice-hockey club IK Oskarshamn.

Latitud 57 An annual festival held since 2009, which attracts music lovers to the port of Oskarshamn.

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www.be-ge.se