NORDIC NEWS 2019 - 5 Skanska: Leading our sector in sustainability 12 Eventful 100 years 19 Czech Economy Facts - Nordic chamber
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NORDIC NEWS 2019 AN ANNUAL REVIEW FROM THE NORDIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC Skanska: Leading our 5 sector in sustainability Eventful 100 years 12 of Czech SKF Czech Economy Facts 19 In Brief
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3 EDITORIAL LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT News from NORCHAM in the Czech community across the globe has always Republic lived up to society’s most cherished values, such as trust, honesty and The Czech Economy is currently booming, loyalty. Nordic companies are perceived however, a storm is brewing in the distance. as being innovative and results-driven, No one knows for certain what the ultimate while also proving to be some of the most consequences of Brexit will be, or the new progressive businesses in the world in US-Chinese trade agreements, or when terms of CSR. Employee welfare, the the housing bubble will burst, thrusting the work environment, sustainability and the Western world once again into the next environment, diversity, transparency, etc. economic recession. are at the top of the agenda in all Nordic At the same time, with human resources boardrooms. at the forefront, companies and managers In 2018, NORCHAM organized two across the board have been raising their CSR working groups: “Diversity - concerns about a lack of hands, and that Employing people with disabilities”; the available workers are underqualified Diversity – Integration of 55+”; and the and overpaid. Property prices, construction ongoing “Mentoring program” in which costs and utility prices are going through 12 NORCHAM senior managers are the roof, while labor-intensive services currently mentoring 12 mentees from and other costs are also increasing at other membership companies. an alarming rate – needless to say an In terms of events, NORCHAM economic recession would surely take also organized approx. 35 events, care of that! In the meantime, inflationary both large and small. Apart from the the voice of Nordic companies, we need tendencies seem inevitable and Czech usual business mixers and breakfast successful and widely publicized activities companies are facing the challenge of meetings, also noteworthy are the newly in order to ensure that our voice is heard keeping their costs down and remaining introduced “Power Lunches with political loud and clear. competitive. stakeholders”; “Vinterblot”- Nordic F&B Of course, we at NORCHAM can come In the digital age, everything happens so feast in the fall; “Around world with 11 up with enticing and exceptional events fast, with winners and losers rising and foreign Chambers” (a Nordic initiative for you; however, in order to realize falling at break-neck speed. In order to be in 2008); “The Nordic State of Mind / these events, we need an increased a winner, it is crucial for companies and Hilariously boring” stand-up comedy commitment from our member companies, managers to continually be at the top of night; and our annual golf tournament to both in terms of participation and financial the information food-chain. mention just a few. support. As the old English proverb goes: Given my background in the event catering “You can lead a horse to water, but can’t Where does NORCHAM fit into modern and restaurant industry, my vision for make him drink”, which is why we must all times? NORCHAM in 2019 is clear: NORCHAM work together in 2019 to make it our most NORCHAM offers a unique business should not only be perceived to have a fruitful year yet! community which is strongly rooted in “human touch”, but we should also strive Nordic values – being Scandinavian or to be the most progressive Chamber Nordic has never been as “fashionable” of Commerce with an impressive array Yours sincerely, as it is right now! The Nordic business of activities to match. As NORCHAM is Nils Jebens
4 INVESTMENT NEWS URBAN POWER TO EXTEND DANISH COAST WITH TECH HUB ON NINE ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS U rban Power has unveiled sectors. Urban Power has deemed it “the The islands will be constructed using 26 its plans for nine artifi- largest and most ambitious land reclama- million cubic metres of surplus soil from cial islands, named Hol- tion in Scandinavia”. the construction of the region’s subway mene, which will be a “Holmene addresses several needs in and various other building projects. Ap- sustainable tech hub off the area. There is a growing demand for proximately 2.3 million square metres of the coast of Hvidovre, sites for knowledge intensive industry, the islands will be dedicated to industrial Copenhagen. Designed fossil-free energy production, as well as a areas, and the remaining land will be de- for the Danish Government, Holmene will flood barrier to secure both existing and veloped into natural landscapes for sports extend the largest industrial area in Den- future areas,” explained the Copenha- and recreation, including 11 miles of cycle mark, Avedøre Holme, and span three mil- gen-based studio. “Furthermore it adds an routes. Urban Power has also incorporat- lion square metres. It is expected to create enormous accessible public natural area ed a series of flood barriers around the 380 new businesses and 12,000 jobs in for sports, recreation and improved biodi- islands to combat the threat of rising sea biotech, pharmaceutical and life science versity.” levels, and a number of small islets and reefs that will encourage nature and wild- life to inhabit the islands. The architecture studio hopes Holmene will become “Denmark’s green growth engine” and support the growth of the green technology industry. Holmene will run entirely from clean energy produc- tion, including five six-megawatt wind tur- bines, and also produce enough to cov- er 10 percent of greater Copenhagen’s total electricity consumption – reducing the region’s carbon emissions by 70,000 tonnes annually as a result. It will also host the “biggest waste-to-energy plant in northern Europe”, where the bio and waste water of approximately 1.5 million people will be transformed into clean wa- ter and biogas. Due to start construction in 2022, Urban Power hopes Holmene’s first island will be habitable within six years, before the to- tal completion of the project in 2040. Two other recent proposals for artificial land- scapes in Europe include a man-made island in the North Sea designed to help Europe meet renewable energy targets, and Sponge Mountain – a 90-metre-high mound of soil that would absorb carbon dioxide from the air in Turin. DHL EXPRESS INVESTS LOW SULPHUR FUEL FOR ICELANDIC FLEET IN NEW HUB IN DENMARK Icelandic fuel supplier N1 is working to reduce the sulphur DHL Express will build a new logistics hub in Denmark, that will content of fuel supplied to commercial vessels and will no arise at Copenhagen Airport. If the hub becomes operational, longer be supplying Marine Diesel Oil (MDO) as of 1st January which is planned to happen in 2023, the logistics services 2019. ‘In recent years N1 has been focusing increasingly provider will be able to handle nearly 37,000 packages per hour, on environmental concerns and as part of the company’s 24 hours a day. In the accompanied press release, DHL Express responsibilities to the community we have searched out ways to talks about a state-of-the-art hub and the largest investment it be greener and better for the environment,’ said the company’s ever made in Denmark or any of the other Nordic countries. managing director Hinrik Örn Bjarnason. MDO has been used The hub is said to significantly improve the speed and quality to power larger fishing vessels that are not using heavy fuel, of DHL Express’ activities in Northern Europe. According to Atli but MDO has a sulphur content of up to 0.25%. The company Einarsson, Managing Director of DHL Express in Denmark, henceforth will supply fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding the company is expecting strong growth in their cross-border 0.1%. Currently sulphur levels up to 3.50% are acceptable, but online trade. “We are also preparing for our customers’ growth, this will be reduced to a 0.50% limit in 2020. including manufacturing companies within the pharmaceutical and fashion industries.”
5 INVESTMENT NEWS SKANSKA: LEADING OUR SECTOR IN SUSTAINABILITY S kanska received the top Development to achieve our purpose of Swedish construction and civil engineer- sustainability ranking in building for a better society. For example, ing sector to guide the industry to achiev- the Capital Goods cate- within the environmental aspect of sus- ing climate neutrality by 2045 while im- gory in the Sustainable tainability, Green projects, as defined by proving competitiveness. This road map Companies 2018 sur- the Skanska Color Palette™, accounted has been endorsed by some 70 organiza- vey, which evaluated for 43.4 percent of construction revenue tions, spanning the entire value chain. companies listed on the in 2017, up from 38.6 percent in 2016. Anders Danielsson sees Skanska’s finan- Stockholm Stock Exchange. The inau- ‘We take responsibility. We believe this is cial goals as being aligned with helping gural Sustainable Companies 2018 sur- right for society but we can also see that advance a sustainable society through the vey compared 109 Stockholm Stock Ex- there are business opportunities in it,’ UN Sustainable Development Goals. ‘We change-listed companies in the categories Skanska CEO Anders Danielsson says do not see a contradiction but rather that of Capital Goods, Consumer Goods and about sustainability. We are using our sustainability is an important part of being Materials. scale to positively influence the industry. competitive. The goal of sustainable cities Conducted by three leading Swedish or- In 2018, Skanska in Sweden led the de- and communities is close to us, both with ganizations - Lund University’s School of velopment of a fossil-free road map for the social focus and environmental focus.’ Economics, financial newspaper Dagens Industri (Today’s Industry) and Aktuell Hållbarhet (Current Sustainability) maga- zine, the survey evaluated the efficiency of companies’ work advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and other efforts with climate, human rights, anti-corruption and employee is- sues. Among the 57 engineering, construc- tion, property and similar companies that formed the Capital Goods category, Skan- ska is honored to have achieved the high- est score, achieving 59 out of 88 possible points. An aim of the survey is push com- panies to do even more with sustainability. ‘We take responsibility. We believe this is right for society but we can also see that there are business opportunities in it,’ Skanska CEO Anders Danielsson says about sustainability in an accompanying article in Dagens Industri. Sustainability is integrated into Skanska’s values and our Profit with Purpose Busi- ness Plan. Through this, we strive to lev- erage our core business activities in Con- struction and Residential and Commercial SCANIA LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO BOOST ICELAND VENTURE STUDIO DEBUTS $5 MILLION EUROPE’S BIOECONOMY FUND TO HELP PIONEERING TECH STARTUPS Europe urgently needs to decarbonize all sectors of its economy Iceland Venture Studio is unveiling a $5 million investment fund as well as create high-quality durable jobs and growth. In the and coaching program to help grow tech startups in Iceland. transport and industry sector, biofuels have a vital role in meeting Reykjavík-based Iceland Venture Studio has raised more than both of these goals. “A European bioeconomy can help Europe $1 million of the fund and is now in the process of raising the deliver on the Paris Agreement targets and lay the foundation remainder, said Bala Kamallakharan, founder and CEO of both for new growth,” says Scania’s President and CEO Henrik Iceland Studio Venture and Startup Iceland. Iceland has become Henriksson. At a conference in Oslo organized by the Xynteo one of the most progressive countries in the world in terms of leadership platform, Henriksson announced a partnership with open data, and the fund sees that as a growth opportunity for Xynteo to explore the full potential for biofuels and the wider entrepreneurs. Iceland Venture Studio will invest in Icelandic bioeconomy in Europe. The aim is to identify the barriers that ventures, but it will also be open to investing in startups are limiting their growth and by acting together – business, elsewhere. policymakers, innovators and civil society – to weaken these barriers and realize opportunities.
6 PEOPLE IN PLACES way to the Czech Republic since Sep- istry in Oslo. Ambassador Kvile holds a tember 2018. In 1990, he started his dip- PhD (Magister Artium) in Slavic linguistics lomatic career after having completed a from the University in Oslo and speaks two-year trainee program at the Foreign Czech. He lives in Prague with his wife, Ministry in Oslo. Thereafter in 1993, he Erna Alice Størkson. was transferred to the Norwegian Delega- tion to NATO in Brussels. After returning to Oslo in 1996 he was involved in security policy, NATO enlargement and Russian affairs before being appointed to Consul General in Murmansk, where he served from 2000 to 2002. During 2002-2009, he headed different sections in the Foreign Ministry’s Security Policy Department, with a focus on Russia and High North (Arctic) Affairs. More recently, Ambassa- H. E. Jukka Pesola was appointed as dor Kvile served as Norway’s ambassador Ambassador of Finland to the Czech to Pakistan from 2009 to 2011 and then Republic, and is also simultaneously serv- from 2011 to 2016 as Norway’s ambassa- ing as ambassador to the Slovak Repub- dor and permanent representative to the lic. Ambassador Pesola started his career Organization for Security and Cooperation at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1989 (OSCE) in Vienna. From 2016 to 2018 he and has held various positions over the acted as Deputy Director General in the years, beginning his diplomatic career in Regional Department in the Foreign Min- Since September 2018, Björn Mattsson 1994. Previous posts include, among oth- has been the new president of Skanska ers, the Embassy of Finland in Moscow, Residential Development Europe, suc- the Permanent Mission of Finland to the ceeding Mikael Matts who has since re- UN in New York and the Permanent Mis- turned to Sweden. sion of Finland to International Organiza- Skanska RDE is a residential developer tions in Geneva. with operations in the Czech Republic and In addition, Ambassador Pesola served Poland, focused on developing sustainable as the Director of the Unit for Internation- living spaces consisting of green (environ- al Environmental Policy (2010-2013) and mentally sustainable) and smart homes. as the Director of the Trade Policy Unit Björn has gained many years of experience (2013-2017). working at Skanska, both as a Residential While serving abroad, Ambassador Peso- and Commercial developer, and also from la is accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Satu having held previous positions in Prague. Pesola, and one of his two sons, as one of His wife Mirjam and his two teenagers have them is currently studying abroad. joined Björn in relocating back to Prague. Af- ter spending a few years in Norway his new- H. E. Robert Kvile has been serving as found passion became cross-country skiing Ambassador of the Kingdom of Nor- – he also still enjoys playing the contrabass. HELSINKI IS THE SMARTEST CITY WHY OSLO IS SAYING NO TO CARS IN THE WORLD IN ITS CITY CENTER Finland’s Helsinki is the best city in the world for digital transport The use of private cars will be phased out from Oslo’s bustling services and the best in Europe when it comes to smart city city center by 2019 to make way for 37 miles of new bike lanes tourism. The City won in eight categories including: Best in and additional public transport options. With a population of smart tourism, Best digital mobility services, Best place for roughly 650,000, the capital of Norway serves as Norway’s foreign investments, Second best city for startups, The fifth governmental and economic center. “We want to have a car-free best in smart city government, The best smart neighbourhood center,” Lan Marie Nguyen Berg, newly elected lead negotiator Kalasatama, The most locally connected startup ecosystem in for Norway’s Green Party in Oslo, explained to the local media. the world and Number one in social cohesion of smart cities. “We want to make it better for pedestrians, cyclists. It will be “Helsinki’s vision is to be the most functional city in the world. better for shops and everyone.” The final step involves removing The success in many comparisons shows that we are going in the last remaining 700 public parking spots in the city center by the right direction. The utilisation of digitalisation is a significant the end of the year. “We’re doing this to give the streets back success factor for Helsinki. It brings better services to the city to the people,” Hanna Elise Marcussen, Oslo’s vice mayor for residents, supports the climate goals and creates new business urban development, told The New York Times. “And of course, opportunities for the companies,” said Mayor of Helsinki Jan it’s environmentally friendly.” Vapaavuori.
7 PEOPLE IN PLACES Laval Central Europe and over the years strategist with over 15 years of experience has gained extensive knowledge whilst in similar positions for a range of mostly working in different positions within the high-tech companies. Surprised by the organization. Most recently, he has been creative potential in the area of industrial working as the Regional Manager of Alfa real estate, he recently wrote and directed Laval Central Europe’s Food & Water Di- a CTP corporate film that had over 150,000 vision, and in the past 5 years has also views on YouTube within the first 24 hours been part of the Regional Management of being posted. Tim is a reluctant mara- Team. thon runner and also enjoys bread-baking, reading, politics, architecture & design, and indulging in the occasional beer. Alexandra Tomášková has taken over as the head of Skanska Property, the leading developer of office properties in Prague, replacing Marie Passburg, who has returned to Skanska in Sweden. In her new position, Alexandra joins the management team of the European divi- sion for Commercial Development, while continuing her duties as the Leasing & As- Tim Addison, hailing originally from Cana- set Director for the Czech Republic. da, joined CTP in June of last year, where Alexandra Tomášková is the first Czech he heads up the CTP Marketing team and In 2018, Martin Brix was appointed as the to become the head of Skanska Property strategy for the 8 countries within which it Managing Director of LeasePlan Czech in the company’s more than twenty years operates. Having an advertising agency Republic. Martin is a graduate of the High- of operating in the Czech Republic. Over background as a Creative Director, Addi- er School of Economics in Prague, having the past eight years, she has successfully son primarily sees himself as a writer and joined the Czech branch of LeasePlan in managed the leasing and marketing of all 1999 and in 2007 was named Finance our Prague projects. Alexandra is known Director by the LeasePlan Corporation for her focus on design, attractive features and tasked with starting up operations in appealing to tenants and innovations. Romania. Notably, Martin was awarded Finance Director of the year for 2016 by As of May 1, 2018, Karel Valášek was ap- the CFO Club, who lauded a number of his pointed as the new Regional Managing achievements. Director of Alfa Laval Central Europe. LeasePlan is a global company, provid- Karel Valášek has been working in the ing vehicle fleet management. The Czech Food and Pharmaceutical processing branch of LeasePlan was opened in 1995, businesses in various positions for more and currently has close to 30.000 vehicles than 20 years. In 2011, he joined Alfa under its management. EVERY THIRD NEW CAR IN NORWAY SWEDEN TO BAN PETROL AND DIESEL CARS – POWERED ENTIRELY BY BATTERY AS GERMANY FEELS THE PRESSURE Electric vehicles made up 31 percent of all new cars sold Sweden is to join Norway and Denmark in plans to ban the sale of in Norway in 2018, the highest rate in the world. Generous petrol- or diesel-powered cars within the next 11 years. Sweden incentives are propelling the country towards its goal of phasing has set a 2030 cut-off, which is the same as Denmark, but five out diesel and petrol cars by 2025. If the future of cars is electric, years short of Norway’s proposed 2025 ban. The ultimate goal Norway is the place to assess how that might look. On a stroll here is meeting Paris Agreement emissions targets. The newly- along the streets of Oslo, it’s easy to notice the large number of appointed Swedish prime minister, Stefan Löfven, outlined his Teslas zooming past. Of all newly registered cars in Norway last plan during the presentation of the new cabinet. Along with the year, nearly a third were zero-emission vehicles (EV), compared announcement, plans for the expansion of Sweden’s electric to 21 percent a year earlier. Sales of these cars have risen vehicle charging infrastructure were also announced. The by 40 percent compared to 2017, reported the Road Traffic overall goal is for Sweden to be fossil fuel-free by 2050. Information Service (OFV). Out of a total of 2 million cars on the road in Norway, 10 percent are now EVs.
8 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, DIVERSITY THE IMPACTS OF WAGE TRANSPARENCY N ew research shows that at the epicentre of a heated debate But new research shows that pay trans- the much-discussed among academics, policy makers and parency has a positive impact on closing measure of requiring unions for years, and legislation that re- the wage gap. Economists from INSEAD firms to disclose gender quire employers to publish gender-based and universities in Denmark and the US, segregated wage statis- wage-statistics to provide pay trans- have released a working paper examin- tics to clarify differences parency has been proposed nationally ing the effect of a 2006 requirement for in women´s and men´s and internationally in the belief, that this Danish companies to report on gender wages reduces the pay gap by 7 percent. would promote equal pay. Opponents of pay gaps by proving gender specific An important step in the right direction pay transparency have argued that dis- wage statistics, find that the legislative and knowledge that can boost the ambi- closing gender differentiated pay statis- step could be a promising new avenue tion to ensure women the same pay for tics increases the administrative burden for closing the gap. The researchers same work, says Morten Bennedsen, of firms, violates employee-privacy and examined wage statistics of companies professor of economics, from INSEAD confidentiality – and that the effect of all prior to, and following, the introduction and the University of Copenhagen. this hassle is unclear or even non-exist- of Denmark’s 2006 Act on Gender Spe- Reducing the gender pay gap has been ing. cific Pay Statistics’ which obligates com- IKEA COLLABORATING WITH INNOVATIVE FINLAND RANKED THE LEADING CONTRIBUTOR STARTUPS TO BUILD PRODUCTS FOR A BETTER TO HUMANITY WORLD Finland has taken the top podium spot in the Good Country Swedish home goods mega retailer IKEA is well known for its Index, which measures countries’ overall impact on the planet commitment to affordability and functionality, and is now pushing and humanity. The index examined 153 countries and evaluated the boundaries of innovative concept and product with the how they each contribute to or burden the global common good, latest rendition of its Bootcamp initiative. In the current cycle providing a country-specific balance sheet. It is based on 35 of the program that sources promising startups ranging the criteria and divided into seven categories, such as contributions gamut from novel bicycle transportation to conductive paints, to science and technology, planet and climate, as well as peace IKEA is working with and supporting a dozen fledgling brands and security. “This is an excellent recognition. Finland is a to create products and services designed for a positive impact good, down-to-earth country and we are a reliable partner in on consumers as well as the planet at large. Per Krokstäde, international forums,” said the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Timo manager of new business projects at IKEA of Sweden, says: “We Soini. Finland ascends to the top of the ranking from fourth place strive to maintain quality and do it in a way that minimizes the in the previous year. Relative to country size, Finland is ranked impact on the environment or even has a positive a effect, and the highest in press freedom, cyber security, environmental has the lowest price. This is challenging, but it’s also the recipe agreements compliance, food aid and number of patents. for success for us, when we balance all of these parameters.”
9 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, DIVERSITY THE IMPACTS OF WAGE TRANSPARENCY panies with more than 35 employees to employees in firms subject to the legisla- The 2006-pay transparency legislation report on gender pay gaps. In order to tion, explains Daniel Wolfenzon, Profes- also seems to have a couple unintend- fully comply to the new transparency law, sor of Finance and Economics and chair- ed gender-related consequences: First- firms additionally needed to have at least man of the Finance Division at Columbia ly, firms included in the legislation hired ten men and ten women within a given Business School. “What surprised us the 4% more women in the intermediate and occupation. They analysed data from most was the way in which this wage lower hierarchy levels than control firms, 2003 to 2008 and focused on companies gap closed. Women’s wages did not in- suggesting firms are able to attract more with 35-50 employees and compared crease at a faster rate in treatment firms female employees in positions where their pay data with identical information as we were expecting. Instead, we find they offer higher wages. Other spillover from a control group of firms with 25-34 that men’s wages in treatment firms grew effects appear to be, that more women employees – firms of a similar size but slower relative to men’s wages in control were promoted from the bottom of the that were not required to release gen- firms. As a result, the total wage bill grew hierarchy to more senior positions, after der-segregated data. After the regula- slower in firms that were required to re- the implementation of the law, while re- tion the researchers found that the gen- port wage segregated statistics,” says searchers found no significant change in der pay gap had shrunk to 17.6 percent Daniel Wolfenzon. promotions for male employees. in the approximately 1000 Danish firms governed by the new 2006-legislation rel- ative to the control firms, that were not required to publish pay statistics. A re- duction of 7 percent. “For the first time we are able to docu- ment, that pay-transparency really works. A 7 percent reduction in the pay-gap may not sound impressive, but given the fact that only a limited number of firms in Denmark are governed by this legis- lation the effect is significant. We can even prove the effect amongst firms, that were not required to provide gender segregated pay-statistics. We know now that wage-transparency works and it is a measure that can be applied national- ly as well as internationally. So from this point, it is really just a question of wheth- er or not the politicians actually wish to do something about the pay-gap be- tween men and women,” says Professor Bennedsen. Although wages for both male and female employees increased during the period analysed, the researchers found an over- all decline in the wage premium for male EQUINOR SELLS THE WORLD’S FIRST FLOATING H&M GROUP MAKES WIND TURBINE A MAJOR MOVE ON ICELAND Equinor has sold the world’s first floating wind turbine, Hywind The Swedish fashion conglomerate has announced the launch of Demo, to Unitech, which has great ambitions of investing in two of its brands -- Monki and Cos -- in the Nordic nation. Monki offshore wind power. Hywind Demo was located in the sea west will open its debut Icelandic store in Reykjavik’s Smáralind mall. of Karmøy in 2009, and the construction cost close to NOK 400 “Iceland is a new and exciting market for us,” said Jennie Dahlin million, of which 59 million were contributions from Enova. The Hansson, Managing Director for Monki, in a statement. “We look price of the wind turbine is confidential, but the entrepreneur forward to seeing how fashion lovers there will make Monki part and owner of Unitech, Bernt Hellesø, called it ‘’reasonable’’. The of their style!” The group also recently revealed its plans to roll wind turbine construction weighs a total of 5,300 tonnes, and out its London-based label Cos in the Icelandic capital at some the turbine has a capacity of 2.3 megawatts, which can supply point in 2019. The move signals the latest milestone for the 400 households annually with electricity. With the purchase, contemporary label, which was founded back in 2007 and has Unitech will, among other things, have the opportunity to test since built a reputation for modern, design-oriented menswear new high-voltage cables. ‘’In addition, the cable that is now and womenswear essentials. The move marks the latest major located between the Hywind mill and the landfall at Sandve in project for the H&M Group, which spent much of 2018 generating Karmøy, will have the capacity for increased power production,’’ headlines for various sustainable fashion initiatives. said Hellesø.
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This is an annual ranking and it is the Enso on its new 2018 Climate A List, which identifies the global fourth consecutive year that Orkla’s website has topped the list. companies that are taking leadership in climate action. “We are Orkla’s corporate governance section, press room and investor proud of this recognition of our long-term work to reduce our relations pages have been singled out as Orkla’s strengths emissions,” says Noel Morrin, EVP Sustainability at Stora Enso. by Comprend. The firm states: “While many companies fail to “For over a decade we have been actively reducing the energy provide necessary Investor Relations information, Orkla shines. intensity of our operations and our dependence on fossil fuels. For example, it features a clear investment story, strategy and In December 2017, Stora Enso became the first forest products financial and market outlook for 2018.” “We are very pleased company to set ambitious science-based targets for reducing that we have retained our top ranking. This strong result is greenhouse gas emissions throughout our value chain.” In recognition of the systematic efforts that have been made over addition to the CDP rating, Stora Enso has been top-ranked in time to continuously improve Orkla’s website,’ says Orkla web both the quality of greenhouse gas management and carbon editor Julie Lochner. performance by the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI).
11 NEW MEMBERS to position the brand in the market. The Exchange, where its headquarters are lo- This coming March, a new design URBAN end of the strategic process culminates cated. Orkla Foods Czech Republic and STORE is set to open in Congress Centre, in execution and implementation of digital Slovakia is currently in the position of the where one of its authorised service partners communications and delivering a client’s second largest packaged food producer has been in business for the past two years. return on their investment. Some of their in the Czech Republic and 4th in Slova- clients include Hollandia, DIGI TV, Me- kia, with its products being produced in 13 We are smart spaces s.r.o. dovník, PSN, Fighter, VŠCHT, and Sedita. plants in three countries – i.e. the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Russia. The turn- Orkla Foods Czech Republic over of the integrated group exceeded and Slovakia CZK 7 billion in 2017, with product exports reaching 40 markets worldwide. Renocar a. s. WE ARE SMART SPACES s.r.o. has been a dealer of Bang&Olufsen luxury A/V equipment since 1994. For the past 10 years the company has ranked amongst the 50 best stores worldwide. Since 2007, WE ARE SMART SPACES has been Orkla Foods Czech Republic and Slovakia supplying and installing premium Lutron comprises the traditional and long-stand- home automation systems, with the range ing Czech foods companies Hamé and of services offered growing year-on-year. Vitana, which began their gradual inte- Renocar has been present on the Czech In addition, they are able to provide com- gration into a single entity culminating in market since 1990. Nowadays, it is one plete and comprehensive solutions, in- 2018, however, still managing to maintain of the largest dealers of BMW and MINI cluding consultancy services; project doc- and preserve their original brand names. automobiles in the Czech Republic. At umentation; energy management; lighting Since 2013, both companies have been present, there are two dealerships located and dimming control systems; advanced part of the Orkla international group, more in Čestlice (Prague) and in Slatina (Brno), HVAC control solutions; and security and specifically from 2016. Orkla is a leading respectively. In addition, Renocar is the surveillance systems. The company’s list supplier of branded consumer goods in exclusive agent of AC Schnitzer, a com- of realizations includes, among others, Scandinavia, the Baltics, Central Europe pany which does customizations for BMW private residences, restaurants, shops and India, and is listed on the Oslo Stock and MINI. and hotels. Contact Information Aqua Angels EUROPE, s.r.o., Na Příkopě 17, Praha 1, 110 00, T: +420 702 015 118, E: jan.springl@aqua-angels.com, www.aqua-angels.com CEE Attorneys s.r.o., advokátní kancelář, Jankovcova 1569/2c, Praha 7, 170 00, T: + 420 778 133 331, E: prague@ceeattorneys.com, www.ceeattorneys.com Česká informační agentura, s.r.o., Pobřežní 46, Praha 8, 180 00, T: + 420 224 800 977, E: redakce@cianews.cz, www.cianews.cz Grizzlink, s.r.o., Bubenské nábřeží 306/13, Praha 7, 170 04, T: + 420 732 310 940, E: nekousu@grizzlink.cz, www.grizzlink.cz Orkla Foods Česko a Slovensko: Armády 245, 155 00 Praha 5 – Stodůlky, T: +420 257 198 111, E: petr.kopacek@orkla.cz, www.orkla.cz Renocar a. s., Lipová 280, Praha-Čestlice, 251 01, T: + 420 810 888 105, E: info@renocar.cz, www.renocar.cz We are smart spaces s.r.o., Dušní 10, Praha 1, 110 00, T: + 420 224 811 234, E: prague@beostores.com UTILITY PRE AND LIGHTING SPECIALIST DENMARK’S CHR HANSEN NAMED WORLD’S FRONTIER TECHNOLOGIES JOIN FORCES MOST SUSTAINABLE COMPANY Since December 1, 2018 Frontier Technologies became part The Danish bioscience firm Chr Hansen was named the most of the PRE group. From 2011, Frontier Technologies has sustainable company in the world at the World Economic Forum been bringing highly efficient light solutions, to the industrial in Davos, Switzerland. Chr Hansen, which celebrates its 145th sector, delivering tangible results to companies from Continetal anniversary next month, finished top of Corporate Knights’ Automotive, Lear Corporation to Honeywell to Kermi to Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World Index. Staropramen, to name a few. Frontier Technologiesis focusing Some 82 percent of the company’s revenue directly supports on highly integrated solutions: Dedicated also in-house the UN Global Goals. Chr Hansen – which develops ‘good’ development, design, manufacturing, planning and installation bacteria and enzymes to naturally preserve food, protect plants teams allow for high customization and swift implementation. and reduce the use of antibiotics in agriculture – was ranked The intelligent lighting systems are primarily deployed indoor ahead of Kering (France) and Neste (Finland), while another at manufacturing and warehousing businesses across the Danish company, the power company Ørsted, came fourth. Czech Republic and Slovakia. The company has its head office Further down the line, two other Danish companies made the in Prague, and own manufacturing and warehousing capacity list: wind energy giant Vestas (34) and pharma colossus Novo outside Mělník. Nordisk (58).
12 MAIN STORY EVENTFUL 100 YEARS OF CZECH SKF T he Prague branch of SKF quency of its technical seminars, where it was founded on October introduced the participants to all of the lat- 27, 1919. By 1923, the est ideas from research and development. Czech branch was already After the Velvet Revolution, SKF began to supervising other SKF of- build its own network of authorized distrib- fices in Central and East- utors, and the first SKF training centre in ern Europe. Five years Eastern Europe opened. In the first half later, SKF moved into its own building in of the 1990s, the company achieved the Prague’s Holešovice district, where SKF standard according to which its Western CZ is based to this day. SKF merged with bearings were crucial to the rebuilding of European branches worked when it re- a factory in Černýš – Pernštejn in 1929 the economy and, as such, SKF supplied ceived the ISO 9002 international certifi- and the company changed its name to 95% of them to the Czechoslovak market. cate. Československá továrna na výrobu kuličk- However, this economic boom did not last SKF received yet another certificate when ových ložisek SKF, a.s. (Czechoslovak long unfortunately. Following the February it opened a new production hall in Cho- Factory for the Manufacture of SKF Ball putsch in 1948, the company came under dov; this hall was constructed to LEED Bearings). During the time when proper- the close scrutiny of the Communist Par- certification standards, i.e. the Platinum ties in the Sudetenland were confiscated, ty; a decree from the Ministry of Foreign level. Such buildings must be proven to the factory came under the ownership of Affairs arrived, rather a liquidation letter, have a minimal effect on the environment the Berlin-based company, Riebe a spol., which granted SKF an exemption from the in terms of the construction methods used which meant significant losses. A barri- nationalization legislation. Thereafter the as well as materials in order to receive this cade was built near the SKF headquarters company was forced to have its imports certificate. The most important aspects, during the Prague Uprising in 1945. An ac- from Sweden processed by the Kovo which are monitored, are energy-saving countant named Ms Beránková, who was unitary enterprise, but could neverthe- measures, the effective use of water re- a member of the Red Cross, took care of less continue its operations. The growing sources, the decrease of CO2 emissions wounded prisoners from liberated concen- tension, due to the Cold War, forced the and improvements in the quality of the tration camps who were travelling through countries of Western Europe to impose building’s interiors. the train station. It was due to her efforts economic sanctions on countries from SKF, naturally, continues to work on im- that SKF lent out its delivery truck for the the Soviet Bloc. The import of ball bear- proving the working environment and ef- purpose of delivering medicine to those ings from Sweden ceased completely for ficiency of their processes. Currently, its who were in need. After the war SKF three years. The economic situation did main focus is digitalization and making a enjoyed good business results, as ball not improve until 1956, at which time the switch to Industry 4.0. Czechoslovak-Swedish agreement was restored. In 1959, a large new order for idlers, which were used on cable-car trol- leys, arrived from Czechoslovak National Railways; they were needed for electrifi- cation of the railways, which was another reason to celebrate. The company enjoyed yet another success with the opening of the SKF Tuzex shop in 1970, which primarily sold car bearings. During the 1980s, SKF increased the fre- KAMPA PARK - FROM INNOVATOR TO PRAGUE NORWAY IS ENTERING A NEW ERA CLASSIC - 25 YEARS OF CULINARY HISTORY OF CLIMATE-CONSCIOUS ARCHITECTURE One of the most iconic eateries in town, will be celebrating its 25th The European Union has a target of making all new buildings anniversary in 2019. Exquisitely nestled on the bank of the Vltava, zero-energy by 2020, but in Norway, carbon neutrality isn’t just a stone’s throw from historic Charles Bridge, Kampa had its enough. A consortium in Oslo made up of architects, engineers, beginnings in 1994, slowly and steadily building a reputation that environmentalists, and designers is creating energy-positive would attract guests from all walks of life. Local and international buildings in a country with some of the coldest and darkest celebrities, such as Karel Gott, Brad Pitt, Daniel Craig, The Rolling winters on Earth. ‘If you can make it in Norway, you can make Stones, U2, Robert Redford, and numerous Heads of State, it anywhere,’ says Peter Bernhard, a consultant with Asplan including King Harald of Norway, King Carl Gustav of Sweden, Viak, one of the Powerhouse alliance members. Bernhard Václav Havel, and Bill Clinton; have helped in making the Kampa says Powerhouse began in 2010 with a question: Is it possible Park brand known all over the world. For the past 25 years, Kampa to not only eliminate the carbon footprint of buildings, but to Park has been in the capable hands of NORCHAM’s Nils Jebens, also use them as a climate-crisis solution? After undertaking having undergone three major reconstructions, surviving two so- several energy-positive projects, Powerhouse has found the called “500-year” floods and the global financial crisis, as well answer to the 2010 question to be an emphatic ‘Yes.’ In 2019, as ongoing attempts by unscrupulous competitors to disparage the collective’s biggest project to date will open to the public: the Kampa name. But despite all of the adversity, the Nordic Powerhouse Brattorkaia, in the central Norwegian city of stronghold on the West bank of the Vltava has persevered, and Trondheim. will hopefully continue do so for the next 25 years.
13 MAIN STORY TIETO IS CELEBRATING 15 YEARS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC O ne of the largest IT Tieto employees can now also work near companies in the home thanks to the Developer Anywhere Czech Republic start- project in which micro-teams are formed ed out in a small villa in in other Czech towns. This opportunity is Ostrava in 2004 when great for parents who want to spend more its founders saw poten- time with their children but are also inter- tial in the population of ested in attractive work nearby. The pro- Ostrava and the surrounding area. Today, ject is also popular with those who don’t the company’s 2,700 employees in Ostra- care for long commutes taking up to sev- va and Brno take care of more than 300 eral hours a day. Last but not least, the customers, mainly from Scandinavia, an concept is accommodating to those who area known for its Nordic culture based change their owner, or apply for a driving like where they live and don’t want to on respect, trust and a balanced work and license. The company also automates move for work-related reasons. personal life. production, uses artificial intelligence to evaluate production data and works with The Czech branch of the Finnish IT cor- robots, 3D printers and big data. Tieto poration Tieto was founded in Ostrava in developed software used today to make 2004 under the original name TietoEnator. a phone call every second in the world. Its establishment was preceded by a thor- More than two-thirds of the world’s inter- ough analysis that evaluated the Moravi- net traffic flows today through the data an-Silesian Region as a territory with high cables of Tieto’s most prominent telecom human potential while taking demograph- client. The company also works on online ic, economic and logistics factors into ac- healthcare cards and brings innovation to count. The cultural and geographical prox- hospitals, clinics, medical labs and sys- imity to the Nordic countries, the strategic tems for home care and standard care for location of Ostrava next to Slovakia and the elderly. Poland and the presence of universities were all decisive. For years, Tieto Czech has been one of the top five dream IT companies for Czech Employees of Tieto Czech are currently students. According to the Top Employer involved in contracts for the most prom- rankings, the company for the fifth time inent Tieto clients such as local govern- holds a prestigious position alongside ments in Scandinavia, telecommunication companies such as Microsoft, List, Avast firms, financial or transport companies and IBM. The company also has its own and businesses in the woodworking and Tieto Nerds start-up program supporting paper industry. Tieto creates applications the creative ideas of Czech innovators for small towns, cities and regions and and links them to the business of its cus- supports smart services for their citizens. tomers. Tieto also pays attention to so- The company develops and manages in- cial responsibility, and its staff regularly formation systems for road, commercial, donates blood, organises IT training and maritime and air transport. People can travel lectures for the elderly and holds buy and sell cars online, register them, collections to help the needy. TIETO JOINS TELIA 5G PARTNER PROGRAMME, NORDIC DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION DRIVEN BY FORESEES FORESTRY AND MEDICAL TRADITIONAL BUSINESSES APPLICATIONS The Nordic region’s longer-established companies are playing Tieto has entered a partnership with Telia Company to develop a more forceful role to advance digital transformation than 5G applications and works together with customers to accelerate local digital natives. According to a new report commissioned its development in Sweden. Other members of the Telia 5G by Tieto and conducted by IDC Nordic, digital transformation’s Partner Programme include Ericsson, Volvo Construction main fuel is not coming from tech disruptors but mature industry Equipment and Einride. Applications are likely to include forest players transforming their existing businesses. Produced from management and medicine. Cecilia de Leeuw, head of telecom data collated in July 2018, the ‘Towards a data-driven future’ services at Tieto, said 5G has applications in environments report surveyed CEOs and senior IT-department chiefs in 300 where requirements for reliability and security are extremely mid to large sized companies in Sweden, Finland and Norway. high. It can be used to expand infrastructure, for example to Significantly, the IDC report observes that Nordic companies support large numbers of connected devices that communicate are lagging somewhat behind their global peers, and especially with each other and send large quantities of data at high speed the US, in digital transformation. The digital transformation and controlling devices instantly. Other applications include gap with US peers has motivated Nordic companies to invest medicine, where doctors could use 5G to operate surgical robots more resources, in capital and IT expertise. The share of digital remotely, enabling patients who live in faraway areas to receive transformers is around 16% among Nordic enterprises. advanced treatments without having to travel.
14 MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS SF STUDIOS EXPANDS IN NORWAY WITH PARADOX ACQUISITION B y taking full control of one children’s franchise Twigson, Hans Pet- dio - with integrated production and distri- of Norway’s leading pro- ter Moland’s In Order of Disappearance, bution activities - next to its existing oper- duction outfits, the Scan- Poppe’s Hawaii, Oslo, 1,000 Times Good ations in Sweden and Denmark. dinavian group reinforces Night, The King’s Choice, and Berlinale Michael Porseryd, CEO at SF Studios its position in the Nordic 2018 competition entry U-July 22. who outlined in our interview his plan for a market. Through its acquisition of Paradox, SF pan-Nordic production expansion, said he Founded more than two Studios is able to consolidate its Nor- looks forward to working with Finn Gjer- decades ago and currently run by director wegian creative output, already active drum, Stein B. Kvae and Erik Poppe, who Erik Poppe, producers Finn Gjerdrum and through the partly-owned Filmkameratene will contribute to making SF Studios “the Stein B. Kvae, Paradox has an outstand- AS and Motion Blur AS, and to complete leading producer and distributor of feature ing track record, with films such as the the creation in Norway of a full-scale stu- films and TV series in the Nordics.” Tim King, Executive Vice President Pro- duction at SF Studios added: “This [ac- quisition of Paradox] is a very important milestone for us as a company. Norway is an attractive market with several huge film and TV drama successes in recent years, and we have for some time been looking for a way to establish our own production activities and strengthen our position in that market. With the acquisition of Par- adox and the very professional team at the company, I am convinced that we will achieve that.” Kvae said: “In a market that is more exciting and more demanding than ever, we cannot imagine a better company [SF Studios] to take us forward on our new journey.” Paradox’s current and upcoming films will be handled by SF Studios International, and its TV dramas by REinvent Studios, through a strategic partnership between the world distribution company and the Nordic giant. Paradox’s upcoming drama projects han- dled by REinvent include the 8x45’ crime series Wilderness created by Kim Fupz Aakeson, set to start production in 2019. According to Porseryd, Finland is the next territory where Bonnier-owned SF Studi- os’ hopes to set up an integrated produc- tion and distribution studio. SAS EXPANDS ITS FLEET – LEASES FINAL TURBINE INSTALLED AT DENMARK’S THREE A321 LONG RANGE LARGEST OFFSHORE WINDFARM SAS has signed a leasing agreement with ALC (Air Lease The final turbine has been installed at Vattenfall’s Horns Rev 3 Corporation) which means SAS will expand its aircraft fleet with offshore windfarm in Denmark. The MHI Vestas Offshore Wind three Airbus A321LR. This gives SAS an opportunity to offer V164-8.3 MW turbines were installed by A2Sea and Fred Olsen travellers more intercontinental routes, fewer stopovers and Windcarrier. First power was produced by what will be Denmark’s shorter travel times to and from Scandinavia. The first aircraft largest offshore windfarm in late December. When Horns Rev 3 will enter into service in the first half of 2020. “This is an entirely is in full operation later in first half of 2019, its 49 turbines will new aircraft type for SAS that is incredibly well suited to the increase annual Danish electricity generation from wind energy Scandinavian market and our travel patterns. We are looking by about 12%. The 8.3-MW turbines are being supplied by MHI forward to launching new routes and to evaluate the A321LR Vestas and shipped from Esbjerg. With a capacity of 406 MW in production,” says Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO, and an expected annual output of 1,700 GWh, Horns Rev 3 will SAS. The aircraft is part of the latest generation of aircraft and provide the annual electricity consumption of approximately is expected to reduce climate impacting emissions by a similar 425,000 Danish households. amount as when SAS introduced the A320neo.
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