Annual Report

Summary of the year 4
The three divisions in the Be-Ge Group 6
The CEO’s review 8
Values 10
Five-year summary 12
Be-Ge Group Management 14
Board of Directors of Be-Ge Företagen AB 16
Be-Ge Seating Division .................................................. 18
Be-Ge Seating AB 21
Be-Ge Seating A/S 22 Be-Ge Seating B.V./GmbH 23
Be-Ge Seating UK Ltd 25 Be-Ge Frapett AB 26
Expected outlook for the division 27
Be-Ge Component Division 28
Be-Ge Stece AB 30 Be-Ge Plåtindustri AB 33 Be-Ge Baltic UAB 34 Be-Ge Lackering AB 36 Expected outlook for the division 37
Be-Ge Vehicle Division ................................................... 38 Be-Ge Lastbilar AB 41 Be-Ge Personbilar AB 42 Expected outlook for the division 43
Be-Ge Fastigheter AB .................................................... 44
Be-Ge’s development 46
Our annual report for the financial year is not an official set of annual accounts for the Group, but a description of the operations and financial results of the divisions. Ongoing information about significant events and news is available at www.be-ge.se.
Further information can be obtained from the Be-Ge Group’s head office on phone number +46 491 45 46 10 or from CEO Håkan Hjalmarsson.
Both turnover and results were the best we have achieved. With high equity and good liquidity, we continue to invest in order to meet the challenges of the future and create good work environments.
We would like to thank all our employees and look forward to meeting those who have been with us for 25 years and inviting them to a party.
/The owners through Per-Erik Persson
Be-Ge Component Division is the Group’s
units for
of
press parts and tools. There is also
and assembly work, as well as painting services.
The Be-Ge Vehicle Division markets and sells trucks and passenger cars. The division represents Scania trucks and buses, Volkswagen passenger cars, Volkswagen light trucks and Skoda, and provides servicing, repairs and service solutions in each segment.
The previous financial year 2020–21 ended with strong demand in the Group’s three divisions. This trend continued in 2021–22, even though both the pandemic and problems in the supply chains had a negative impact on the Be-Ge Group’s operations. Thanks to the Group’s committed and loyal employees, the delivery performance and production capacity within the divisions has been maintained.
During the financial year 2021–22, inadequate supplies of components, and in particular semiconductors, affected the Group’s customers in the automotive segment. Be-Ge Seating Division, which manufactures driver and passenger seats, office and surveillance chairs, has had to continuously adapt its manufacturing capacity, due to adjusted forecasts from one of the division’s major customers. The shortage in the availability of vehicles had a negative impact on operations in Denmark and the UK, where installed passenger seats in ambulances, police cars and other similar vehicles represent important business. Even in the division’s own manufacturing processes, the component shortage has on some occasions
resulted in delivery delays, albeit to a limited extent. Securing production in the production units by avoiding component shortages has become an increasingly important task for the division’s purchasing departments. The underlying demand from the Be-Ge Seating Division’s customers remains strong, even though some of the division’s customers have been adversely affected by the component shortage.
The Be-Ge Component Division, which manufactures sheet metal components, press parts and tools, performs sewing work and provides painting services, has also seen healthy demand for the division’s products and services. Demand has occasionally exceeded production capacity during the financial year, which resulted in longer delivery times. Problems with the availability of raw materials and input goods also resulted in longer lead times. The raw material price trend was dramatic during the year, with steel prices almost doubling during the year. This, combined with increased energy prices, resulted in higher manufacturing costs and the need to implement price increases for the division’s customers. In most cases, price increases have been met with understanding, although price discussions are still under way with one of the division’s major customers. The lack of price
increases had a negative impact on the division’s results for the financial year 2021–22. The poor availability of vehicles linked to the semiconductor shortage had a negative effect on the Be-Ge Vehicle Division, which markets and sells trucks and passenger cars. Demand has been very good during the year, which combined with long delivery times for vehicles resulted in record-breaking order backlogs. The division has succeeded in maintaining profitability through a high level of activity in the after-sales market, with workshop activities and sales of spare parts.
Både Be-Ge Seating Division och Be-Ge Component Division hade en besvärlig start på nya verksamhetsåret. Koncernens fordonsdivision, Be-Ge Vehicle Division, påverkades inte i lika hög grad som de båda övriga divisionerna. Försäljningen av fordon samt verkstadsbeläggningen låg kvar på acceptabla nivåer under de första månaderna.
The fibre laser will be installed in autumn 2022 and is the first machine of its kind in Sweden. The Group continues to develop its sustainability work. In addition to connecting district heating to reduce dependence on oil, various energy-saving measures are being implemented in the companies. In spring 2022, Be-Ge Stece AB decided to invest in a solar cell system with a capacity of around 500 kWh.
ÅRSBERÄTTELSE 2020-2021 - BE-GE KONCERNEN
Inom Be-Ge Component Division har beslut fattats om en utbyggnation av produktionsytan för Be-Ge Plåtindustri AB. Inom divisionen bedrivs ett aktivt arbete med energieffektivisering med hjälp av utomstående konsulter.
Precis innan semestertid började orderingången förbättras något, en trend som ytterligare förstärktes efter sommaren inom samtliga tre divisioner. Under hösten har efterfrågan stärkts alltmer, vilket inneburit att korttidspermitteringarna successivt minskat i omfattning för att fr.o.m. december vara helt avvecklade.
The pandemic naturally also had an impact on the Group’s operations in 2021–22. The companies in the Group have, however, been better prepared and adapted their working methods more quickly than when the pandemic began. Digital meetings and presentations instead of attending trade fairs worked well, and there were continued opportunities for employees to work from home. These adjustments made it possible to limit the effects of the pandemic on operations. The Group also followed the recommendations from the authorities in each country in order to reduce the risk of infection.
De fyra sista månaderna i koncernens brutna räkenskapsår har präglats av en mycket hög efterfrågan inom samtliga verksamhetsområden. För mars månad har koncernen levererat ett månadsresultat som är det bästa i historien.
When the new Omicron variant began to spread, however, infection rates increased sharply, as did absenteeism in the Group’s operations. This affected delivery capacity for some time, resulting in longer delivery times.
Den mycket starka återhämtningen under andra halvan av räkenskapsåret, gör att både omsättning och resultat för helåret är tillbaka på nivåer som gällde innan utbrottet av Coronapandemin. Även för kommande räkenskapsår ser efterfrågan inom koncernens tre divisioner mycket lovande ut och några tecken på avmattning finns för närvarande inte.
The war in Ukraine has not yet affected the Group’s operations. The Be-Ge Group has no customers or suppliers in the area of conflict. Reporting on the effects of the war reveals that Volkswagen has some of its cable production in Ukraine, which means that already long delivery times for vehicles are at risk of becoming even longer. Furthermore, the invasion of Ukraine could have consequences for the global recovery and growth after the coronavirus pandemic. It is at present difficult to discern the potential effects of this.
Det har således varit ett turbulent år för koncernens verksamheter, från en kraftig minskning i efterfrågan under våren med korttidspermitteringar, till en situation under hösten och vintern där många fått arbeta övertid för att leveranserna skall fungera. Det hade inte varit möjligt att klara denna snabba förändring utan koncernens fantastiska medarbetare, som med sin lojalitet och flexibilitet sett till att lösa de stora utmaningar som verksamheterna ställts inför.
Under verksamhetsåret har koncernens första hållbarhetsrapport upprättats. Den har tagit sin utgångspunkt för förbättringsarbetet utifrån förhållandena som gällde under 2019-2020. Hållbarhetsrapporten finns publicerad på koncernens hemsida, www.be-ge.se.
The Group has decided to change its financial year from a split year covering the period 01/05 – 30/04 to adapting the financial year to the calendar year. The change is being made partly because the Be-Ge Vehicle Division’s goals and objectives from the general agents are linked to the calendar year, and to be able to better perform benchmarking with brand colleagues.
The change in financial year means that the next financial year will only cover the eight months during the period 01/05 –31/12/2022.
The order situation in the Group’s three divisions remains very good, and there are no signs of a decline in demand at present.
Ordersituationen inom koncernens tre divisioner är fortsatt mycket god och några tecken på nedgång i efterfrågan finns för närvarande inte. Vaccineringstakten både i Sverige och i Europa börjar att öka och centralbankerna i Europa och USA fortsätter att stimulera efterfrågan. I takt med att restriktionerna minskas och länderna öppnar upp, kommer efterfrågan även i andra branscher än de i vilka Be-Ge koncernen är verksam att förbättras. Tillväxten i de olika länderna kommer därför enligt alla bedömare att bli hög kommande år. Utifrån dessa parametrar ser konjunkturen ljus ut.
The price increases for raw materials and energy look set to continue, and the importance of being able to pass on the price increases to our customers will also be crucial to the Group’s profitability in 2022.
Work to secure the supply chains of components and raw materials for the Group’s manufacturing units is another prioritised area during the coming financial year.
Det finns dock några orosmoln som kan leda till att konjunkturutvecklingen kommande år kan komma att påverkas negativt. Den kraftiga efterfrågeökningen har lett till komponentbrist på bl.a. halvledare, som riskerar att störa produktionen inom automotivesektorn. Råvarupriserna, främst på stål och skum, har ökat kraftigt under våren 2021. Att erhålla kompensation från koncernens kunder för ökningarna av råvarupriserna är en förutsättning för att lönsamheten inte skall försämras.
Despite the uncertainty in the world at large, the Be-Ge Group continues to invest in the various business areas. In the Be-Ge Vehicle Division, the expansion in Vetlanda that was given the go-ahead in the previous financial year is expected to be completed after the holidays in 2022. This expansion will create the conditions for continued successful truck operations in the Vetlanda region.
Koncernen fortsätter att satsa och investera i de olika verksamhetsgrenarna. I Be-Ge Seating AB i Oskarshamn har investeringen i produktionslinjen för montering av stolar tagits i full bruk och förberedelser för slutmontering av en ny truckstol pågår. Som en del av koncernens arbete för ökad hållbarhet, har beslut fattats om investeringar för att minska användandet av fossila bränslen samt olika energibesparande åtgärder.
During the year, a decision was also made to invest in two additional workshop facilities in Hultsfred. This initiative is being made to meet the higher demand for the truck business’s services that exists within the business area.
Be-Ge Plåtindustri AB has started to expand its factory premises in Oskarshamn. A decision has also been made to invest in a fibre laser, to further automate manufacturing and increase capacity in the operation.
Inom Be-Ge Vehicle Division har Be-Ge Personbilar AB genomfört investeringar i verkstäderna i Vetlanda. I april 2021 har beslut fattats om en utbyggnation av lastbilsverkstäderna i Vetlanda samt nybyggnation av en tvätthall. Inom personbilsverksamheten blir laddbara bilar en allt viktigare del av verksamheten. För att möta det ökade behovet av el i framtiden, som bl.a. drivs av elektrifieringen av fordonsflottan, utvärderas för närvarande förutsättningarna att investera i solceller med placering på divisionens fastigheter.
There are concerns in the world at large that may bring about rapid changes, which may also affect global growth. The availability of components and raw materials, challenges of inflation, developments in Ukraine, together with the possible impact of the pandemic, create uncertainty when assessing the future. But the Be-Ge Group’s strong position, combined with the ability of our employees to adapt quickly to new conditions, means that the company is very well placed to take on new challenges.
Be-Ge koncernen har fortsatt en stark balansräkning och en god likviditet. Detta tillsammans med ägarnas långsiktighet gör att koncernen under kommande verksamhetsår kommer att fortsätta investera och vidareutveckla verksamheterna i respektive division.
Håkan Hjalmarsson VD och koncernchef Håkan Hjalmarsson Managing Director and CEOBror Göthe Persson started his business in 1934. The principles that Bror Göthe worked so successfully when the business was built up under his leadership form the basis of the corporate culture and the “Be-Ge spirit” that characterises the Group.
By means of professional contact characterised by engagement, knowledge and a high level of availability, solutions are offered that are adapted to meet each customer’s needs.
Deliveries are of high quality, with each employee assuming responsibility for his or her part of the delivery. Be-Ge’s business relationships are characterised by simplicity, honesty and close collaboration with the customer.
With its long history and stable ownership structure, Be-Ge stands for reassurance, tradition and reliability. The long-term view means that our employees feel a sense of pride in being part of the Be-Ge family.
Be-Ge is characterised by a strong entrepreneurial approach that results in growth within existing businesses, curiosity about innovations and an interest in developing new business areas.
Through openness and with consideration and respect for the individual, we develop both our employees and our customer relationships.
We always see the big picture, and our guiding principle is to always resolve any loose ends that arise, both internally within the Group and externally with other stakeholders. “Collaboration brings success” is a motto that pervades the whole business.
We make sure we assume responsibility for the sustainable development of the environment, society and our employees. Be-Ge stands for quality at all levels, where every single employee feels responsible for doing the right thing.
The business is characterised by an awareness of risk and cost, which creates the conditions for continued development of the Group.
Amounts in SEK thousand
2021-2022 2020-2021 2019-2020 2018-2019 2017-2018
Net turnover 1 204 109 1 127 397 1 193 983 1 137 670 1 048 095
Gross profit 223 583 207 643 196 551 205 954 199 254
Operating profit 73 969 76 260 49 797 67 158 62 011
Profit after financial items 80 572 79 297 53 700 70 852 65 075
Taxes -15 175 -17 282 -12 283 -15 802 -13 793
PROFIT FOR THE YEAR 65 396 62 015 41 416 55 049 51 282
Amounts in SEK thousand 2022-04-30 2021-04-30 2020-04-30 2019-04-30 2018-04-30
Intangible assets 7 241 8 772 11 006 12 796 14 296
Tangible assets 263 681 245 668 236 410 232 998 239 289
Financial assets 18 058 20 682 20 774 24 669 19 888
Current assets 547 919 505 543 430 791 428 777 381 773
TOTAL ASSETS 836 899 780 665 698 982 699 240 655 246
Equity 635 380 588 479 531 907 499 971 453 301
Provisions 45 040 48 140 42 333 44 356 44 610
Long-term liabilities 8 904 10 431 10 852 18 031 19 276
Short-term liabilities 147 575 133 615 113 890 136 882 138 059
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 836 899 780 665 698 982 699 240 655 246
CEO: Be-Ge Företagen AB
MD: Be-Ge Fastigheter AB
Born 1962 Employed: 2017
MD: All companies in the Be-Ge Seating Division.
Born 1970 Employed: 2019
General Manager: Be-Ge Frapett AB
Born 1980 Employed: 2022
General Manager: Be-Ge Seating A/S
Born 1968 Employed: 2019
General Manager: Be-Ge Seating B.V./GmbH
Born 1974 Employed: 2020
General Manager: Be-Ge Seating UK Ltd
Born 1968 Employed: 2006
MD: Be-Ge Stece AB
MD: Be-Ge Lackering AB
Born 1967 Employed: 2007
MD: Be-Ge Plåtindustri AB
Born 1965 Employed: 2004
Vaida Vaičaitienė
MD: Be-Ge Baltic AB
Born 1974 Employed: 2007
MD: Be-Ge Lastbilar AB
Born 1965 Employed: 2013
MD: Be-Ge Personbilar AB
Born 1965 Employed: 2016
Born 1952
Lives in Nacka
Board member since 2011–2012
Board member
Advenio Psykolog- och managementkonsult AB
Born 1953
Lives in Växjö
Board member since 2012–2013
Chair of the Board since 2020–2021
Chair of the Board
Byggaktiebolaget
O.G. Ohlsson
Sydostpress AB
Vice Chair of the Board
Gota Media AB
Board member
AB Hjalmar Petri
Born 1953
Lives in Malmö
Board member since 2007–2008
Chair of the Board
Be-Ge Fastigheter AB
Board member
All Be-Ge companies
Kjell-Arne Lindbäck, Rickard Petri (Chair), Ingemar Persson, Håkan Hjalmarsson, Johan Persson, Peter Cerny and Ulrica Larsson.Born 1962
Lives in Oskarshamn
Board member since 2017–2018
Group assignments:
CEO and board member
Be-Ge Företagen AB
Be-Ge Fastigheter AB
Chair of the Board
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 Stece AB, Be-Ge Plåtindustri AB, Be-Ge Lackering AB, Be-Ge Personbilar AB, Be-Ge Lastbilar AB, Be-Ge Frysen AB and Be-Ge Fordonsfinans AB
Board member
EB Road Cargo AB
Smålandshamnar AB
Member
Born 1966
Lives in Ängelholm
Board member since 2020–2021
Other assignments:
Managing Director/CEO
ESBE AB
Board member
Proton Industries AB and Proton AB
Born 1966
Lives in Oskarshamn
Board member since 2007–2008
Group assignments:
Chair of the Board
Be-Ge Office AB
Board member
All Be-Ge companies
Other assignments:
Chair of the Board
M2 Marina AB
TM Utbildning AB
Board member
Atrinova Affärsutveckling AB
Member
Born: 1968
Lives in Hörby
Board member since 2021–2022
Factory Manager Kiviks Musteri AB
Board member
UILa Konsult & Invest AB
Eva Thuresson Mat & Dryck AB
Zetterbergs Industri AB
The Be-Ge Seating Division develops, manufactures and markets suspended and fixed driver seats, passenger seats, surveillance and office chairs, support and saddle chairs, as well as sound absorbers and accessories for our seating products.
The Seating Division’s products are well-known and popular among drivers of commercial vehicles, trucks and buses, forestry and construction machinery, industrial trucks and cranes, train drivers and navigating officers in shipping. For minibuses, vans and special vehicles, M1-classified* passenger seats are delivered for transporting people with or without disabilities, also for ambulance, police and military vehicles. Other groups using the division’s seating products include process operators, staff in security centres and offices.
Driver and passenger seats (M2 and M3)* are developed and final assembled within Be-Ge Seating AB in Oskarshamn, Sweden, while the main responsibility for the development, certification and manufacturing of M1-classified passenger seats takes place at Be-Ge Seating A/S in Frøstrup, Denmark. Be-Ge Frapett AB is responsible for the wide range of office and surveillance chairs, as well as support and saddle chairs. Customised sound absorbers are also available for offices and public environments. The division’s sales units Be-Ge Seating UK Ltd., Be-Ge Seating B.V. and Be-Ge Seating GmbH are responsible for sales and service within each geographical market.
Through collaboration, the division shall act as a business partner to customers who value and appreciate the difference offered by the Be-Ge Seating Division and its products.
The division shall provide adapted seating solutions for those who sit at their workplaces. The Be-Ge Seating Division’s core values are reliable professionalism, creative and flexible solutions, rigid and safe products, ergonomics, comfort and quality, and attractive design.
* Vehicle class for motor vehicles based on number of passengers and total weight.
Be-Ge Seating AB develops, manufactures and markets suspended and fixed driver seats, passenger seats and accessories for these. Customer-specific products are also developed on assignment for OEM customers.
The company’s products are well-known and popular with drivers of commercial vehicles, trucks and buses, forestry and construction machinery, industrial trucks and cranes, and all others who sit at their workplaces.
During the financial year, volumes and turnover recovered on the whole compared with the previous year. This recovery has, however, been limited due to the difficulties of the entire supply chain, both suppliers and customers, in securing deliveries of materials and components. Order intake was at a relatively high, stable level throughout the year. There was a positive impact on turnover with the start of batch deliveries for several new customised seat projects. Additional customer projects were carried out during the year, which will result in seat deliveries during the next financial year.
Continued restrictions for large parts of the year meant that customer meetings primarily took place digitally. A new showroom was built to enable digital product demonstrations.
Over the course of the financial year, the company’s own material supplies were increasingly affected by material and component shortages. The situation has varied very
significantly between different types of material. The primary countermeasures, in order to minimise the effects, have been building up inventory and alternative logistics solutions. Delivery reliability was adversely affected, but to a limited extent.
Purchase prices for materials and components increased significantly during the year, and the company was able to partially compensate for the higher costs through adjusted sales prices and rationalisation work.
Production of the new generation of truck seats, with a mechanical and an air-sprung variant, started during the year, with final assembly now being performed at the company’s facility in Oskarshamn. In the latter part of the financial year, work began to increase the production capacity for the company’s 3000 series seats. Several development projects for new products and rationalisation projects were carried out during the year, which are expected to be launched in the next financial year.
Be-Ge Seating A/S develops, manufactures and markets passenger seats, as well as accessories and equipment for minibuses, vans and special vehicles. The company specialises in and leads the way in developing approved M1-certified seats and special high-quality products for vehicles intended for passenger transport, for people with or without disabilities, as well as ambulances, police and military vehicles.
Thanks to continuous investments in testing processes and testing equipment, new technology and product development, the company is one of the leaders in its industry. All tests and certifications of seats, floors and equipment for complete vehicles are performed in approved test facilities either at the company’s own factory in Frøstrup, Denmark or at a thirdparty institute.
The company is also responsible for sales of Be-Ge Seating companies’ product range of driver seats and office chairs in Denmark.
The year started strongly, and the first five months generated growth in sales compared with the previous year. Unfortunately, imbalances in the supply chains to the automotive industry resulted in delayed deliveries of new vehicles, which had a negative impact on demand for M1 seats. Deliveries improved during the winter, but later in February the situation escalated due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Overall, this resulted in a decrease in turnover for the year
compared with the previous year. The company has developed and launched Jany Life Legs Dynamic, a system for quick release of wheelchairs from the floor, and updated the Jany Life Floor system.
During the year, an external wheelchair restraint system in combination with Jany Life Floor was tested and incorporated into Jany Life Floor’s test reports, which means that the two brands can be used together in M1 vehicles.
The 805 Police 1.0 seat model has been upgraded to a version 2.0, with improved space for the police officer’s personal equipment and a flexible belt anchorage system to allow more room for the gun. Ambulance versions of the 862 seat model have been fitted with an adjustable headrest as an option.
A Jany Express Delivery concept has been developed and taken into operation, which means that some of the standard seats can be ordered directly on Be-Ge’s website and dispatched within one working day of receiving the order.
Be-Ge Seating B.V. has been a Be-Ge company since 2014, having previously been one of the oldest independent sales agents for the BE-GE brand in Central Europe.
Be-Ge Seating B.V. in the Netherlands, together with the subsidiary Be-Ge Seating GmbH in Germany, represents the Be-Ge Seating Division in each country as well as in Belgium and France. With a business focus on being Be-Ge Seating Division’s representative in Central Europe, customers are offered service in the language of their own country and with a local presence. The company sells and represents all seating products and brands of the Be-Ge Seating Division.
The facility offers a complete spare parts warehouse, installation service, and maintenance and repairs. Well-trained staff offer customer-specific seat adjustments and perform assembly of the products according to the customer’s wishes.
The year started with an increasing order intake thanks to the recovery in the market and active sales work in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany. Order intake remained high throughout the year for all segments, including service and maintenance, which resulted in significantly better profits compared with the previous year.
Invoicing was also higher compared with 2020–21, and thanks to improved efficiency in operations and in the company’s processes, profits stabilised despite higher raw material and energy prices.
The merger of the Belgian operation with the head office in the Netherlands was completed during the year, and the sales team was expanded to better meet the high market demands. A new long-term rental agreement was signed with the owner of the premises in Zaltbommel to secure continued operation at the current central and best location by the A2 motorway.
Continuous improvements to the company’s processes create added value and peace of mind for our customers, as well as prosperity for the Be-Ge Group and its employees.
The company participated in several different driver seat projects, both in the train segment and with different OEM customers. This, combined with an increasing number of enquiries for after-sales market installation of customised seats, creates the conditions for further growth in the future.
25489
Be-Ge Seating UK Ltd was established in 2006 to strengthen the Be-Ge Group’s presence in the British Isles. Sales, service and maintenance of all the products are provided from the company’s plant in Derbyshire, England.
Be-Ge Seating UK Ltd markets and distributes the Be-Ge Group’s entire range of driver seats, passenger seats and office chairs in the UK market. The company’s customers are primarily in the automotive industry, with deliveries to buses, trains and emergency vehicles, but also in the forestry industry. There are also deliveries to more specialised segments such as aircraft simulators.
The financial year 2021–22 was a very challenging year in view of the ever-changing pandemic and the Brexit-related problems that have arisen in the UK in connection with the divorce from the EU. In addition, a number of other obstacles have had to be dealt with, such as problems in global supply chains, raw material shortages and general cost inflation.
All the major vehicle manufacturers had problems with material supplies during the year, and in some cases were forced to close their production facilities. This has meant that new vehicles have been in short supply, and lead times for new vehicles have increased, which has had a negative impact on the company’s deliveries of M1 passenger seats.
Sales to the ambulance and police sector continued to grow during the year. During the financial year 2021–22, the company also had success in the market for vehicles adapted for other medical transport and wheelchair transport, construction machinery, etc.
In January 2022, the business moved into larger warehouse premises, increasing warehouse capacity by a third. This has made it possible to stock more seats with a high turnover rate
and create flexible buffer stocks for customers. The company is now well positioned to face the expected growth in key markets, as the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic gradually decrease.
In the UK market there are opportunities for a higher market share for bus driver seats. The UK’s unemployment levels are currently at historically low levels, and demand for bus drivers has increased. In order to retain bus drivers and reduce the number of sick days they take, there is now greater interest from bus companies in improving the driver environment. Demand has therefore increased for driver seats with greater comfort and better ergonomics, which favours the seats that the Be-Ge Group manufactures and sells.
Higher fuel costs have accelerated the introduction of zeroemission vehicles to meet the demands of end users who want to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Involvement in customers’ development of new electric and hydrogen buses, ambulances and police vehicles, construction machinery, etc. is therefore of great importance in order not to lose market shares. Thanks to these collaborations, the company is well positioned when it comes to deliveries of seats to the new vehicle segments that have emerged.
The shortage of new vehicles during the financial year has meant that vehicle owners have held onto existing vehicles for longer, which has benefited the spare parts and servicing business. In the future, there is great potential in both refurbishment and replacement of seats, as fleet owners are increasingly inclined to hold onto their old vehicles.
Be-Ge Frapett AB develops, manufactures and markets office and surveillance chairs, support and saddle chairs, and sound absorbers. The product portfolio includes the “Swedish Chair” and the “Ullman Chair” along with BE-GE and Frapett, which are sold under the BE-GE brand.
Despite high material and logistics costs, as well as some delays in material supplies and at times relatively high staff absence due to the pandemic and its restrictions, the company is showing both growth and improved profits.
Thanks to the excellent efforts of all employees and the utilisation of overtime, the company has usually managed to keep to its promised delivery times. “Made in Scandinavia” has been a major competitive advantage during the years of the pandemic.
During the year, the company hired a new site/sales manager.
As of 1 January 2022, a general price adjustment of +4.8% was implemented to partially compensate for the earlier trend in material prices. However, the company is noticing new inflation-driven price increases from its suppliers at the beginning of the calendar year 2022.
This will bring about a need for further price adjustments to the company’s customers during the financial year 2022.
All marketing and sales of the company’s products take place under the BE-GE brand and the motto “Seats for life”. The Nordic region and the rest of Europe and the UK are considered to be the company’s home market.
Customers are in the office retail trade, catalogue and e-commerce companies, as well as interior design companies and independent retailers. The company’s associate companies in the Be-Ge Seating Division in Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as the UK, act as sales agents for Be-Ge Frapett’s product range in their respective markets.
Turnover,
sales@frapett.se
Mönsterås,
The division’s market position and product structure are well-positioned to achieve the goals set for both growth and profitability. To further strengthen profitability, it is important that work on cost rationalisation and cost compensation from the division’s customers is further intensified.
During the year, the division’s companies were successful in adapting their operations to the rapid changes that have taken place in the world around them. The current uncertainty regarding issues such as expectations of inflation and the availability of raw materials will continue to present challenges going forward. Nevertheless, the division expects to be able to grow in financial year 2022.
The Be-Ge Seating Division’s strategy plan and the activity plans drawn up are well known within each organisation. The focus is on acquiring new market shares in specific segments
and achieving general growth and a continued positive development in profitability.
The product-owning Be-Ge Seating companies will continue to allocate significant resources for product development and product maintenance, and to capitalise investments in production tools and equipment.
The “Seats for life” marketing campaign is intended to make Be-Ge better known, define what sets us apart from others and position Be-Ge where our customers expect us to be. The BE-GE brand is there for those customers who understand and value the difference.
The Nordic region and the rest of Europe (EU/EEA/EFT) and the UK continue to be the Be-Ge Seating Division’s home market.
The Be-Ge Component Division consists of the Group’s contract manufacturing units, with companies in Sweden and Lithuania.
Be-Ge Stece AB is one of the leading manufacturers in Sweden of components for trucks, passenger cars and machinery, as well as consumer products in areas such as heating technology, electronics and white goods.
Be-Ge Plåtindustri AB manufactures advanced laser-cut, pressed, welded and even deep-drawn products, and also has rolling and roll-forming of cones and cylinders in metallic materials for customers, primarily in the construction machinery, automotive and pump industries.
Be-Ge Lackering AB’s business consists of vehicle paintwork, plastic repairs and anti-corrosion treatment of vehicles, as well as painting industrial components, for both companies and private customers.
Be-Ge Baltic UAB undertakes industrial sewing and upholstery, as well as partial and final assembly of components on contract assignments for customers in the manufacturing sectors of automotive, office, conference and surveillance chairs, MedTec articles and other textile products.
The division’s companies shall be profitable, grow and develop. Have satisfied customers, employees and owners. The division shall be characterised by respect for the individual and conduct its business in a safe and sustainable manner. The division shall strive to continuously improve, learn new things and learn from mistakes. By using the latest technology and working as a team, we shall be competitive in a global market in the long term.
With good quality and service and innovative and costeffective solutions, the division aims to be a natural partner and supplier in tool development and manufacturing, sheet metalworking, welding, surface treatment, painting, upholstery and assembly.
Be-Ge Stece AB
Be-Ge Baltic UAB
Be-Ge Plåtindustri
Be-Ge Lackering
Be-Ge Stece AB supplies components for trucks, passenger cars and machinery, as well as parts for consumer products in heat technology, construction, electronics and white goods.
The company develops and manufactures tools and fixtures and helps the customer all the way from prototype to batch delivery. The company possesses broad technical material expertise and solid design and tool competence.
Manufacturing is carried out in efficient, robotised eccentric and hydraulic presses. The company has in-house capacity for hardening, tempering and electrolytic surface treatment.
Welding is offered in both manual and robotic processes. The company’s high level of service and quality is proven by renewed certificates against IATF 16 949, and confirmation that the processes are sustainable comes in the form of the company’s ISO 14001 certification.
The year started with very high demand from all customer segments. The order backlog increased by 50% in spring compared with the previous year. To make deliveries in accordance with our customers’ expectations, we hired staff
and also recruited young people to do summer jobs. The shortage of materials that started to affect operations during the spring escalated during the autumn, and the prices of steel and other metal products also increased significantly. The company’s customers also experienced disruption caused by material and component shortages, and some of them were forced to reduce their rate of production and even introduce shutdown days in their production. Demand did, however, remain stable even into the last quarter of the calendar year 2021. The steep increases in material prices have been passed on to customers through price increases. There have been several rounds of price increases all the way to the end of this financial year. There was a drop in demand during the last quarter of the financial year. Here too, it is the shortage of materials that resulted in a fall in demand, a shortage that has been further exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. Much of the focus was on supplying existing customers with goods; business with existing customers increased in volume during the year, but some completely new customers were been added.
Turnover, SEK million
Be-Ge Plåtindustri manufactures complex sheet metal components for the engineering industry in modern laser and punching machines.
The components are further refined by edge bending or hydraulic and eccentric pressing. The company is an innovative partner and provides the customer with support and cost-saving suggestions during the development phase. Production also consists of CNC-controlled edge presses for rational bending of sheet metal components. In addition, the company has equipment for rolling and roll forming, as well as robot welding cells, one of which has double robots. Skilled welders, a number of them licensed, also perform longitudinal and circular welding and assembly.
The whole financial year was characterised by a very strong economic upturn with a largely constant increase in demand. This high demand meant that a capacity shortage arose in the workshop, which resulted in turn in longer lead times in production. On top of this, there are problems with material supplies and steeply rising raw material prices. The company has largely succeeded in passing raw material price increases on to customers. This, combined with diligent work to increase capacity, has resulted in the financial year being the best in
the company’s history. A decision was made during the year on a powerful investment plan, comprising an expansion of the workshop and major investments in machinery.
During the year, a new customer, which is active in the renewable energy sector, placed a production order with the company. If the customer develops in accordance with the established business plan, it may become an important customer for Be-Ge Plåtindustri AB in the future.
556223-1430
Oskarshamn, Sweden
Be-Ge Baltic UAB primarily undertakes industrial sewing and upholstery, as well as assembly.
The company specialises in industrial sewing and upholstery, as well as the partial and final assembly of components for customers in the manufacturing sectors: automotive, office, conference and passenger seats, seating furniture for public environments, health and social care, wheelchairs and various other textile products.
The company is certified in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, and is also an FSC-certified company. LEAN manufacturing methods are applied in all of the company’s processes.
Be-Ge Baltic UAB has a geographically advantageous location in Klaipeda at the northernmost ice-free port in the Baltic region.
Be-Ge Baltic started the financial year with a high, intensive level of operations and an ever-growing backlog of orders and quotations. The year was also characterised by fluctuations in individual customer orders, disruption in the supply chain, a shortage of certain components, exceptionally high
price increases and the ongoing pandemic. Despite these challenges, Be-Ge Baltic was successful in balancing the production load, thanks to its diversified operations and highly committed employees. This has resulted in the year ending with an increase in turnover of 20% compared with the previous year and a continued strong financial position.
The major increase in turnover can be explained both by new projects and a gradual increase in turnover from the company’s existing customers. The achievement of goals in other areas was also very good. The number of returned under complaint is below 0.1%. In addition to this, and very pleasingly, our continued strong focus on close collaboration with customers, in order to be able to act together in the event of any disruption or changes, resulted in an even higher level of customer satisfaction, which this year reached no less than 98%.
baltic.be-ge.se
141195074
Klaipeda, Lithuania
Turnover, SEK million Number of employeesBe-Ge Lackering AB’s operations consist of automotive and industrial painting.
The company has capacity to paint everything from complete trucks, buses, boats and similar large objects to smaller components in larger batches. The car painting segment consists of repairs and painting of damage to passenger cars and transport vehicles, primarily with insurance companies and private individuals as customers.
Industrial painting is carried out in a separate facility with the capacity to paint all kinds of industrial components, although primarily plastic components for the automotive industry. The company is a member of the Swedish Association for Motor Retail Trades and Repairs and is certified in accordance with ISO 9001.
The beginning of the financial year was stable but uneven, with high demand from industrial customers, while it was quieter in the private market and for painting of car damage. The car business worked hard to increase capacity utilisation, which resulted in a couple of new customers and business deals being brought into the department in the spring and early summer of 2021. After the holidays, the surrounding
workshops also increased their capacity for repairing sheet metal damage, which contributed to the rise in demand.
The industrial business had high capacity utilisation until July, when demand from the company’s biggest customer failed to materialise. This was in turn due to the customer extending the holiday period because of component shortages. The restart after the summer and the early autumn were also characterised by low capacity utilisation in industrial painting, while the automotive department saw a positive trend in demand.
Demand in the industrial business did, however, rise at the end of the calendar year and in the winter, and remained stable at a good level for the rest of the financial year. The team managed to handle the fluctuations and imbalances between the company’s two painting facilities in an exemplary manner, and through flexible solutions around holidays and by helping each other, we achieved 100% delivery precision to customers during the year.
Turnover, SEK million
Number of employees
Capacity utilisation was high during the year, which resulted in capacity shortages at times, meaning longer delivery times. The confirmed investments in both buildings and machinery at Be-Ge Plåtindustri AB will address the capacity shortages and also create opportunities for new business.
The division continues to invest in automation solutions to further streamline production processes. This is a prerequisite for being able to meet the continued high demand from both existing and new customers.
The price increases implemented by the division’s raw material suppliers in the previous financial year appear to have peaked. But prices continue to increase in areas
such as energy and freight, price increases for which it is important that companies can receive compensation from their customers. As part of both reducing energy costs and contributing to a sustainable future, a solar cell system will be installed at Be-Ge Stece AB.
There are many uncertainties in 2022. Expectations of inflation, supply chain disruption due to the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine and interest rate hikes could have a negative impact on global demand and growth. At present, there are no indications that this would affect the Component Division’s companies, which continue to have a good order backlog and capacity utilisation.
Be-Ge Vehicle Division markets and sells trucks and passenger cars. The division represents Scania trucks and buses, Volkswagen, Volkswagen light trucks and Skoda, and provides servicing, repairs and service solutions in each segment.
The division’s brands, Scania, Volkswagen and Skoda, manufacture cars of the absolute highest quality for each area of use. The companies are responsible for representing the brands within a market area that extends from Vetlanda in the west to Visby in the east. Passenger cars (Volkswagen, Volkswagen Transporter and Skoda) are marketed from Oskarshamn and Vetlanda, while trucks and buses are marketed in Hultsfred, Oskarshamn, Vetlanda and Visby. Sales, servicing, repairs and other services are available at all locations.
As sales agents for the Scania, Volkswagen and Skoda brands, the division shall be the market leader in the truck and passenger car segments, and be perceived as the most attractive employer in the industry.
The companies within the division shall market and sell attractive transport solutions, accessories and spare parts for each brand. In addition, a well-functioning repair and service organisation shall be provided.
Turnover outside the Group, SEK million
Operating profit, SEK million
Be-Ge has represented Scania trucks since 1941, and is the world’s oldest privately owned sales agent for Scania.
Be-Ge Lastbilar AB is responsible for the sales and service of Scania trucks and buses in the market area covering Oskarshamn/Mönsterås/Högsby/Hultsfred/Vetlanda/Sävsjö/ Gotland. Operations are conducted from our own facilities in Oskarshamn, Vetlanda, Hultsfred and Visby.
The financial year has seen a good order intake for new Scania trucks for most of the year, before stagnating in early 2022 as a consequence of unrest in Europe. Demand for service and repair services has also been high and looks set to be maintained going forward. New services such as training, service agreements, vehicle inspections, etc. continue to increase and be important to truck customers.
During the year, the company’s focus on agreements and vehicle inspections resulted in increased availability of customers’ vehicles, meaning enhanced service to haulage companies’ customers.
Despite the pandemic and the recent crisis caused by the invasion of Ukraine, haulage companies have seen good demand for transport and logistics services during the year. Over the years, the well-established and very good relationship with the company’s customers has resulted in both high customer satisfaction and continued healthy sales of vehicles and after-sales market services, despite the fluctuating economy. Be-Ge Lastbilar AB continues to enjoy a high level of confidence and is the market leader in the company’s market area.
Marketing activities are a cornerstone of building relationships with the company’s customers. Physical activities can start to take place once more, and these are complemented by the new digital activities created during the pandemic.
Södra Fabriksgatan 12, Oskarshamn
556092-6643
Turnover, SEK million Number of employeesBe-Ge Personbilar AB markets and sells light trucks and passenger cars. The company represents Volkswagen and Skoda and offers servicing, repairs and service solutions in each segment.
The company is responsible for sales and service in the market area that covers Oskarshamn/Mönsterås/Högsby/Hultsfred/ Vetlanda/Sävsjö. Operations are conducted from our own facilities in Oskarshamn and Vetlanda.
The financial year 2021–22 has been challenging, with a coronavirus pandemic and, at the end of the financial year, the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The coronavirus pandemic has created problems in the supply chains for vehicle manufacturers, as access to semiconductors in particular has been limited. There have, however, also been problems with raw material supplies, such as steel, which has resulted in a steep increase in prices. Overall, this has had a negative impact on the production of new cars. After Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, the availability of cabling has decreased, which further affects vehicle production.
Be-Ge Personbilar AB has therefore found itself in a situation that has created continued long lead times and delivery times for new cars to waiting customers. Despite this, sales during the financial year remained good, with high volumes and, as in the previous year, a record level in the order backlog for new cars.
The after-sales market and repair workshops had good capacity utilisation during the year. This is explained by high sales of new cars in recent years, which has created opportunities to serve a greater number of customers and cars. During the year, the focus continued to be on working with customer satisfaction and various relationship-building measures. By constantly striving for a good customer relationship, the conditions are created to continue to be a leading sales agent in the company’s region.
Turnover,
Södra Fabriksgatan 12, Oskarshamn
556061-4298
It is considered that delivery times for new vehicles will continue to be long for the remainder of 2022.
In the Scania business, the delivery time for a new truck is currently as much as 14 months, and the order backlog for new trucks is at a record high. The long delivery times risk reducing market shares, but Be-Ge Lastbilar AB’s strong brand means that we will continue to be the market leader.
In the financial year ahead, Be-Ge Personbilar AB expects to be able to deliver from its record-high order backlog and thereby gradually reduce this.
Developments in the industry are moving rapidly in terms of which drivelines the vehicles will have in the future. In the passenger car segment, 50% of all cars sold are rechargeable cars, i.e. electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. On the truck side, the trend is not moving as quickly towards electrical power, but other fuels such as gas, HVO, LNG, etc. are being developed here, all with the aim of reducing the impact on the environment.
The servicing requirements of the new rechargeable cars are less than those of vehicles with internal combustion engines. For this reason, new and supplementary services are being developed for passenger cars and trucks, to meet the falling demand for workshop services.
Be-Ge Fastigheter AB owns commercial properties in central Oskarshamn, consisting of premises for shops and offices, industrial premises and homes. The total area managed amounts to approx. 6,800 m2
During the financial year, all homes and most of the company’s premises were occupied. Vacancies are only available to a lesser extent in the office hotel, with only one of the premises available to let.
Property maintenance is performed according to plan and as required in connection with new lettings.
The work to make Köpmangatan more vibrant continued during the year. This has resulted in a couple of new businesses being established and increased attractiveness, which is positive for the part of Be-Ge Fastigheter AB’s portfolio located along this street. In order to increase accessibility to the premises on Köpmangatan, the company has decided to invest in ramps at the entrances.
3Net sales, SEK million
0Number of employees
ADDRESS: Box 912, 572 29 Oskarshamn, Sweden VISITING ADDRESS: Köpmangatan 6 A , Oskarshamn
PH: +46 491 45 46 10 EMAIL: fastigheter@be-ge.se WEBSITE: fastigheter.be-ge.se CIN: 556773-0774
DOMICILE: Oskarshamn, Sweden
Bror Göthe Persson took over the import and sales of Ford cars in Oskarshamn. He was something of a visionary and was quick to realise the importance of motoring.
Be-Ge became a sales agent for Scania-Vabis trucks and is now the world’s oldest Scania agent in private ownership.
AB Be-Ge Karosserifabrik was established.
The first modern suspended driver seats for trucks were developed.
Be-Ge Bil became a sales agent for Volkswagen.
Expansion continued, and a factory was also built for the production of truck cabs in the Netherlands.
The coachwork factories were acquired from Scania-Vabis in Södertälje. The production of truck cabs has remained at this location, and Scania’s factory in Oskarshamn is now one of Kalmar County’s biggest employers.
The production of the driver seats to be fitted in the truck cabs was retained by Be-Ge when it was sold to Scania, and this business activity continued in the newly formed company Be-Ge Stolindustri AB. The company later changed its name to Be-Ge Industri AB, before another name change to the present-day Be-Ge Seating AB.
Be-Ge Förarmiljö AB in Kolsva was established, specialising in the sale of driver seats and equipment primarily for forestry machines.
The seat manufacturer Nyström Nordpatent AB in Umeå was acquired, providing Be-Ge Industri AB with a wider product range featuring bus seats, truck seats and office chairs. Bil & Maskin AB was also acquired in Vetlanda in the same year, expanding the region for passenger cars and trucks.
Be-Ge Traktor & Maskin was established in Åstorp AB and became a general agent for Zetor tractors and Agrostroj agricultural machines. The same year also saw the establishment of Bilcenter i Oskarshamn AB for sales of Seat – and later Skoda – passenger cars.
Be-Ge Industri AB was certified in accordance with ISO 9001.
The vehicle companies were certified in accordance with ISO 9002.
The business activities in Umeå were moved to Oskarshamn, and the industrial property was sold.
The Danish companies Jany Scandinavia A/S and Vald. Nielsen & Søn A/S were acquired, as was AB Oskarshamns Plåtindustri.
The Oskarshamn company Billackeringen E. Johansson AB was acquired for a future investment in both vehicle and industrial painting.
The two Danish companies Jany A/S and Vald. Nielsen A/S were merged, and the Copenhagen office was closed down. The rights to market and sell the “Ullman Chair” were acquired in the same year.
An extensive refurbishment and expansion of the passenger car plant in Oskarshamn was undertaken. Be-Ge Traktor & Maskin i Åstorp AB was sold.
2006
Be-Ge Företagen AB acquired 80% of the Lithuanian company Amersanas. Be-Ge Företagen AB acquired 1/3 of the engineering company Stece AB in Mönsterås. Be-Ge Seating UK Limited was established in Coventry, England.
Be-Ge Företagen AB increased its shareholding in Stece AB to 50%.
The remaining shares in Be-Ge Baltic UAB and Be-Ge Stece AB were acquired, and the companies became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Be-Ge Företagen AB.
Be-Ge Personbilar AB celebrated its 75 anniversary. Be-Ge Fastigheter AB was established.
The partly-owned company Be-Ge Förarmiljö AB was sold, and the name was changed to Förarmiljö i Sverige AB.
A new Scania service facility was opened in Hultsfred.
Be-Ge Industri AB acquired 80% of Savas Seating B.V. in Zaltbommel, the Netherlands, with its subsidiaries Savas Qualitätssitze GmbH in Germany and Savas N.V. Belgium.
Be-Ge Industri AB acquired the remaining shares in Savas Seating B.V., and the company changed its name to Be-Ge Savas Seating B.V., the present Be-Ge Seating B.V.
Frysen Invest AB was acquired with the subsidiaries Visby Tunga Fordon AB and Visby Fordonfinans AB, and the region for trucks was expanded to include Gotland. The property Järneken 5 was acquired to secure the future need for assembly capacity for seats in Oskarshamn.
The two Mönsterås-based companies Frapett Produktion AB and Mönsterås Pressdetaljer AB were acquired, now known as Be-Ge Frapett AB and Be-Ge Mönsterås Pressdetaljer AB.
In order to identify the core business, all companies in the BeGe Seating Division were renamed as Be-Ge Seating followed by each country’s company name.
Be-Ge Mönsterås Pressdetaljer AB’s industrial property was sold through the sale of the company.
Bror Göthe Persson, founder of the Be-Ge Group