February 2025

Words from Executive Director | Annual Meeting January 2025| Member Spotlight: BVIZIBLE Reflectors

Recent Events | Upcoming Events | Members Survey | Highlights From our Members

WORDS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear friends,

Winter has finally loosened its grip on DC, and I hope you’ve been enjoying the warm temperatures over the past few days.

As a SACC Chamber, we aim to facilitate trade and promote business between Sweden and the U.S. In this time of uncertainty and weakened transatlantic links, focusing on this task is more critical than ever. Our network is at the core of our efforts; through it, we can exchange ideas and provide insights on navigating this new landscape.

Recently, we hosted Happy Hour events, a customized tour of the U.S. Capitol, and an insightful discussion on federal regulatory processes. We used ZYN’s full FDA approval as a case study with our member, HAYPP Group, and SACC-DC President Jim Solyst. The nicotine pouch ZYN, or snus, is widely used in Sweden and often replaces smoking.

Reflectors are also common in the North. Please welcome our newest business member, BVIZIBLE, a company that sells custom reflectors. During the dark Nordic winter months, reflectors are worn by everyone and are a standard feature on garments, bags, and dog leashes. Read more about them in this newsletter.

Several other programs are scheduled, so I hope to see you there.

Spring is fast approaching, as is our annual survey. Please take a moment to share which programs and events you would like us to offer. The survey will be sent to you in a separate email.

On a similar note, the Embassy of Sweden is preparing a report on trade barriers and is requesting our input. If you have encountered any specific trade barriers in the past year, they would like to hear from you.

Thank you!

Anna Wramner

Executive Director

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING 2025

On January 28, we hosted our Annual Meeting at the House of Sweden.

Members enjoyed refreshments, mingled, and voted for the new SACC Board of Directors. H.E. Urban Ahlin, the Swedish Ambassador to the United States, shared his insights on Sweden’s economic and political relations with the U.S., discussing potential implications for transatlantic relations under the new administration, which sparked lively discussions among the attendees.

Jesica Lindgren continues as board chair, with Sofia Hassander serving as Secretary. Jim Solyst has been elected President, and Marcus Larsson is the newly elected Treasurer. Additional Committee Chairs include Christer Bergman, Head of the Finance Committee; Dorothy Hildebrand, Head of the Membership Committee; and Jim Creevy, Head of the Golf Committee.

Reflecting on 2024, membership across all categories continued to grow. Our flagship events- the Crayfish Party, the Nordic Innovation and Sustainability Forum, and the Golf Tournament- continued to thrive. At the same time, new initiatives, such as our series of webinars and expanded Young Professional programs, were successfully launched.

We extend our gratitude to all who attended and contributed to a successful Annual Meeting

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: BVIZIBLE REFLECTORS

We are excited to welcome BVIZIBLE REFLECTORS to the SACC-DC community!

BVIZIBLE Reflectors is our newest business member. Kati Kaivonen, the founder and CEO, shared more about the company’s mission and commitment to enhancing pedestrian safety. During the dark winter months in the Nordic region, reflectors are worn by everyone and are a standard feature on clothing, bags, and dog leashes. The company is now dedicated to bringing this safety solution to North America.

Founded in Finland, BVIZIBLE was established to enhance pedestrian and pet safety. The company provides high-quality safety reflectors designed to improve visibility in low-light conditions.

-By making pedestrians and pets more noticeable at night, our products play a crucial role in improving road safety, giving drivers more time to react and prevent accidents, Kati says. She explains that while reflectors have been widely used in Nordic countries for decades- contributing to a 70% decrease in pedestrian traffic injuries- they are still not a standard safety feature in the U.S. BVIZIBLE aims to change this behavior and integrate reflectors into North American traffic safety culture.

What sets BVIZIBLE Reflectors apart is both product quality and performance.

-European safety standards require a minimum brightness level (C.I.L value) of 400 for a product to qualify as a safety reflector, but our reflectors are four times brighter than this minimum requirement, Kati emphasizes. This makes BVIZIBLE Reflectors the brightest and most effective reflectors available today. Manufactured with state-of-the-art technology and rigorous quality control, the company ensures superior performance - just as reflectors have done in Finland for more than two decades.

To raise awareness and drive adoption in North America, the company collaborates with policymakers and safety advocates.

-We engage with policymakers and safety advocates to promote reflector use. We also attend major traffic safety conferences, such as the Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety, the California Traffic Safety Summit, and the Ohio Traffic Safety Summit, Kati explains. Beyond industry events, BVIZIBLE has presented at law enforcement conferences and school safety summits across North America.

-Our reflectors have been distributed in school districts, children’s hospitals, and underserved communities, helping to protect some of the most vulnerable populations, she adds.

Lastly, with its Scandinavian roots, BVIZIBLE Reflectors sees SACC-DC as a valuable partner in expanding its reach in North America.

-The extensive network and strong business community within SACC-DC and SACC-USA provide valuable opportunities for us to connect with different organizations and companies, Kati notes. We are excited to leverage these connections, raise awareness about pedestrian safety, strengthen our partnerships, and accelerate our growth in North America.

To learn more about the company,

be sure to visit their website and social media channels below.

RECENT EVENTS

U.S. CAPITOL VISIT

On Monday, February 24, SACC-DC members had the opportunity to participate in an exclusive guided tour of the U.S. Capitol.

During the visit, our members gained insights into the inner workings of one of the most significant political institutions in the country. Highlights of the tour included the Old Senate Chamber, the Capitol Rotunda and the U.S. Capitol subway system. Leading the tour were William Lindqvist and Roope Järvinen, who shared their profound knowledge about the Capitol and its operations. Check out a collage of highlights from our visit below.

SPEAKERS EVENT: THE FEDERAL REGULATORY PROCESS IN TRANSITION

This past Wednesday, SACC-DC hosted an insightful evening at Say Cheese Café, featuring Jim Solyst, SACC-DC President and former VP at Swedish Match, and Peter Grafström, US President at Haypp Group.

Jim shared key insights on the federal regulatory process, using ZYN’s FDA approval as a case study. Peter then provided perspectives on navigating US nicotine market regulations. Both speakers’ remarks were highly appreciated, sparking a Q&A session with many thoughtful questions. A special thanks to Peter and Jim for sharing their insights, Haypp Group for sponsoring the event, Suzy Nabil at Say Cheese, and all attendees for making the evening a success.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Young Professional Company Visits

This spring, our Young Professionals network will have the opportunity to visit several companies across different industries. These visits offer a unique chance to gain industry insights, connect with professionals, and explore career opportunities in innovative and fast-growing sectors.

A selection of past Company Visits

More details will be shared soon, so if you’re not yet part of our Young Professionals network, now is the perfect time to join - sign up with the link down below.

APPLY HERE

Monthly Happy Hours

SACC-DC are initiating a series of monthly Happy Hours, creating the perfect setting to network, exchange ideas, and build connections within our community. Whether you're a longtime member or new to the Chamber, these gatherings offer a great way to meet like-minded professionals in a relaxed atmosphere. Keep an eye on your inbox for upcoming dates and locations - we can’t wait to see you there!

MEMBERS SURVEY

Your feedback is important to us!

You will be receiving a survey via email soon to help shape the future of our Chamber. It takes roughly 5 minutes to complete and is valuable in helping us create programs that truly matter to you. We appreciate your time and support!

HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR MEMBERS

Haypp Group’s Industry Leadership: Spotlighted in Swedish Business Media

As the world’s largest retailer of nicotine pouches, Haypp Group is driving Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) by providing less harmful alternatives to smoking. In 2024, the company shipped 100 million cans to 1.1 million adult customers across seven markets, with the U.S. now accounting for 25% of sales and growing over 100% year-over-year.

The impact of THR is evident, especially in Sweden, where smoking rates are set to drop below 5%, and the UK, which has seen the fastest decline in smoking rates among OECD countries. Despite progress, 1 billion people still smoke, leading to 8 million deaths annually. Haypp Group is committed to raising awareness and supporting research, including a partnership with Oxford University, which estimates the company’s products have saved 7 million years of life expectancy.

Under Peter Grafström's leadership, Haypp Group is rapidly expanding into the U.S. market, which is six to seven times larger than Scandinavia. The company prioritizes compliance with strict federal and state regulations, including age verification, product testing, and responsible marketing. By leveraging data-driven insights, Haypp Group helps industry stakeholders and policymakers navigate this evolving space.

Additionally, Haypp Group’s Q4 2024 interim report has received significant media coverage in Sweden, highlighting the company’s growth and strong financial performance.

Leading Swedish business outlets, including Dagens Industri, have acknowledged Haypp Group’s continued expansion and increasing profitability in the smoke-free nicotine sector.

The report revealed strong underlying growth and margin expansion, reflecting the company’s market positioning and operational efficiency. CEO Gavin O’Dowd emphasized Haypp Group’s commitment to sustainable growth and category development as the company continues to strengthen its presence in key markets.

RECOMMENDED READINGS

EBBA BUSCH AT CES

Earlier in 2025, Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch delivered a keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, emphasizing the importance of innovation, values, and hope for future generations.

The speech garnered attention for its inspiring message on Sweden’s transformation from one of Europe’s poorest nations in the 1800s to a global leader in science and technology. She highlighted that this success was driven by a combination of hard work and curiosity, and stressed the need to inspire younger generations who may feel uncertain about the future. In her address, Busch urged business leaders, policymakers, and citizens to collaborate in shaping a more prosperous and sustainable future through technological advancements and shared values.

News from SACC-USA and the Embassy

The Embassy of Sweden compiles an annual report on trade barriers for the Foreign Ministry, which informs discussions in the Market Access Committee, EU Commission, and bilateral meetings, including the TTC and ICE with the US. Common issues include visa and banking regulations, tax, certifications, and procurement restrictions. Swedish companies facing trade barriers in the US in 2024 are encouraged to report them to Charlotte Kramer (charlotte.kramer@gov.se) by March 10.

Find more news from the Swedish Embassy and SACC-USA through the links below.

News from the Swedish Embassy

SACC-USA newsletter

BUSINESS SERVICES PROVIDED BY SACC-DC

SACC-DC holds a unique position to provide members valuable connections with other member companies or small businesses, potentially resulting in new collaborations, clients, and partnerships. Read more about our B2B Matchmaking service and how to make a request here. Your company has the opportunity to be assisted by a Business Associate or a trainee with short-term projects aiming to increase your knowledge about specific markets. Read more about our Trade Services and how to make a request here.

INTERESTED IN JOINING THE SACC-DC COMMUNITY?

Visit our membership page to join as a new member, or renew your membership through the membership portal. SACC DC organizes many events throughout the year to give our members access to professional networking. We also tailor trade missions for Swedish companies interested in the Greater Washington, D.C. area. Whether an individual with a keen interest in or connection with Sweden living in D.C. or a company looking to establish new relationships, we can help you reach your next goal!

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