Since 1989 SACC-DC has offered a platform for developing U.S. – Swedish lucrative commercial ventures and professional opportunities through our network and business and social events. The SACC-DC Newsletter will help you stay on top of what’s happening in the Swedish-American business community and find the perfect opportunity to create new business connections in the greater Washington D.C. area and Mid-Atlantic region. |
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From the Executive Director |
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The Swedish American Chamber of Commerce together with the Board of Directors and our Business Team wish each and everyone of you, our members, a very happy, successful and prosperous New Year.
We started 2023 on a very exciting note. In 2022 SACC-DC grew a bit more as we welcomed new Corporate members. AstraZeneca, Nederman and Tetra Pak as well as Individual and Young Professional members. Warm welcome to all!
We hope to continue creating networking events of both formal and informal nature. We plan monthly Happy Hours, continue our three fall flagship events and the new spring flagship event, the Nordic Innovation and Sustainability Forum, to further important relationships and collaborations. If you know someone who would benefit from our networking services please forward this newsletter. This is a great time to join.
The SACC-DC Annual Meeting is set for the 26th January. This too offers a chance to network and meet our distinguished and interesting board members, new and old. We will vote on and welcome the new board of directors and express our thanks to the outgoing board.
Please also welcome our new trainees and Business Associates. See the testimonials from our two trainees who are leaving us, Noel Rohde and Kerstin Larsson. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.
This month’s highlight is of Thomas Hagström at Nederman, a Swedish environmental technology company
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Member Spotlight: Tomas Hagström, Senior Vice President Head of Division
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Tell us a little bit about Nederman
More than 75 years ago, Nederman was a pioneer within working environment and clean air. Our mission to address the environmental challenges of industry through innovative solutions and cost-effective production has led to a world-leading position in industrial air filtration. We have a broad range of air filter solutions, from smaller units used for workers’ safety, e.g. to capture welding fumes or wood dust, to large air pollution control systems for e.g. metal recycling and foundries. Today, value creation is enhanced through digitalization and service while we are still at the forefront of product development.
Nederman has a strong global presence in both sales and manufacturing globally. Sales are conducted through our own sales companies and distributors in over fifty countries and we have 2,200 employees. The largest share of sales is in Europe and North America, but we also have significant presence in Asia. Orders received in 2021 amounted to SEK 4.6 billion.
Nederman has over 75 years of working in the industry; what will the company focus on in the future?
We are currently focusing on digitalization and service within our target industries. For example; In a factory that uses many different filters, we have an app that the customer can use to ensure everything works instead of manually inspecting each filter. Digitalization can also be used to simplify collection of emissions data to make sure customers meet environmental permit requirements. We can also help customers to monitor filters remotely to ensure they work as they should; and perform service needed to maintain performance of the equipment. We create a solution that works for each of our customer’s specific air filtration need, so that they can instead focus on their primary operations and processes.
What is your role at the company, and what did you do before working at Nederman?
I oversee our global Process Technology division which sells larger filter systems for e.g., the steel, foundry, and chemical industries on all continents of the world. I am also the regional manager for Nederman in the Americas region. Here we are 500+ colleagues in USA, Canada and Mexico. Our regional headquarters is in Charlotte, North Carolina.
I received my diploma from Chalmers University in Gothenburg, and then I started working as a Management Consultant at McKinsey & Company in 2001. After that, I worked for the chemical company Perstorp. In 2011, I moved to the US when Perstorp bought a business in America and offered me the opportunity to take on the President role for that business. As my family and I enjoyed living in the US, I eventually left Perstorp and started working at Honeywell in New Jersey and thereafter for Nederman. Half my career has been in Sweden and half in the USA.
SACC-DC is proud to have Nederman as our newest member; what made you decide to join?
Being part of the SACC-DC network seems like an excellent opportunity to meet other US based companies and people and to take part in events like this spring's Nordic Innovation and Sustainability Forum. Of course, I also look forward to take part in events like the crayfish party and other Swedish style events.
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Representing SACC-DC as a Business Associate throughout 2022 proved a profoundly rewarding experience to my professional and personal developments alike. Through a diverse program encompassing assignments in accounting, project management and marketing to name a few, I developed a broad skill set that polished my general business acumen. The array of tasks also allowed me to identify the specific areas I find compelling and aspire to develop further upon completing the internship. Knowing that the SACC-DC internship experience and life in D.C. throughout can be contingent on my own initiatives, I’m also highly appreciative of the opportunities and creative freedom offered by SACC-DC with respect to managing projects and events, not to mention attending corporate visits and external events.
A major factor incentivizing me to apply for this position, and serving an invigorating function entering the second half of the internship, was joining a SACC-DC member company for six months. Interning with technology manufacturer Axis Communications’ Mid-Atlantic office granted me insights into the U.S. corporate activities of a global, market-leading company, in addition to enabling my exploration of the surveillance technology industry by conducting market research on potential partners and customers. Dedicating fewer hours to the Chamber during the internship’s latter half prompted me to assume a senior capacity at SACC-DC, thereby honing in on my leadership skills.
Granted the experience en masse, I would consider interning with SACC-DC a superb platform preparing young professionals for future professional and academic endeavors, and life in D.C. is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
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Swedens EU Council Presidency |
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Image: Swedish Government
Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden
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For the next six months, Sweden will be taking over the presidency of the EU council. It is the third time since joining the European Union that Sweden holds this prestigious role. Sweden will lead the work in the council and has chosen to focus its presidency on security, competitiveness, energy, and democratic values. Sweden has initiated increasing the EU´s economic and military support for Ukraine to ensure that essential public services are upheld.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which US president Joe Biden signed in September 2022, has raised some voices in Europe. The IRA is a legislative package to reduce inflation and invest in clean energy and climate policies. However, the act has been accused of favoring American businesses. A few European leaders are advocating a countermove, but Sweden is taking a gentler approach while also aiming to overlook the current regulations for European industry.
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Kerstin Larsson Testimonial |
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My name is Kerstin Larsson, and I have been an intern at SACC-DC from September 2022 to January 2023. I am doing my internship as a part of my Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Gothenburg. My internship here at SACC-DC is soon ending, and I could not be happier with my time here. Working alongside astounding people from both Swedish and American companies has been genuinely inspiring.
As an intern at SACC-DC, I have gotten a broad set of assignments to learn every aspect of the organization. During my time, I have had the opportunity to develop my skills in project management, marketing, and content writing. I have learned tremendously by arranging high-profile events together with member companies. It has been enriching to get a more extensive understanding of the complexity of non-profit organizations. My internship at SACC-DC has prepared me well for my future professional career.
Living and working in Washington, D.C., has been a dream come true. Attending interesting high-level business and political events has been a highlight of my stay. Meeting interesting people from different countries and cultures has been sincerely rewarding, personally and professionally.
An internship at SACC-DC is an excellent experience for anyone looking for an international adventure where they can develop their professional skills. This internship is full of unforgettable memories where you meet friends for life!
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Business Services Provided by SACC DC |
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SACC-DC holds a unique position to provide members valuable connections with other member companies or small business, 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.
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Swedish American Chamber of Commerce of Washington D.C. wishes you a Happy New Year! Join us on January 19 for a virtual New Year's Fika with opening remarks by the H.E. Karin Olofsdotter, Swedish Ambassador to the United States.
Seven SACC regional chambers co-host our New Year's Fika. After the opening remarks and Q&A, we open up the opportunity to network over the regional borders of our organization! Register to the even by pressing here.
Do not miss out on this excellent networking opportunity and hear from the excellent H.E. Karin Olofsdotter!
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Nordic Innovation & Sustainability Forum 2023 |
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Scandinavian Innovation Forum on April 26th at the Royal Embassy of Norway in Washington D.C. |
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We are so exited to announce the 2023 Nordic Innovation and Sustainability Forum on April 19th, 2023. The event is co-hosted with Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce Mid-Atlantic and the Finnish-American Chamber of Commerce, New York. We are currently in the early stages of planning this year's event, focusing on sustainable cities, architecture and building construction, transportation, and digitalization.
Last year, on April 26th the inagural Scandinavian Innovation Forum was hosted at the Royal Embassy of Norway in Washington, D.C. SACC-DC collaborated with the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce Mid-Atlantic, the Royal Embassy of Norway, and the Embassy of Sweden. Scandinavian Innovation Forum highlighted the latest insights into the U.S.demand for green solutions and Scandinavia's supply-driven innovations.
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Please join us for Business Networking After Work i.e. Happy Hour during this spring rotating locations between D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Look for upcoming dates and locations for Happy Hour or After Work get-togethers! |
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Interested in joining the SACC DC community?
Become a member!
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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