Christer Åberg appointed new CEO for Hilding Anders

Christer Åberg has been appointed new CEO and President for the Hilding Anders Group with effect from 1 August 2015. He succeeds Alex Myers who left the company earlier this year to become CEO of the Getinge Group. 

“I am delighted to be offered the opportunity of leading a stand-alone, consumer facing industrial company of such significant size,” says Christer Åberg. “Hilding Anders has taken large steps to become a unified company after an intense period of acquisitions during the past decade. My intention is to deliver the existing strategy and accelerate further growth opportunities in new and existing markets”, Åberg concludes.

“Christer Åberg has the experience of working in both industrial and consumer oriented environments and he will be a strong leader in executing our strategy for the coming years. We have strong footholds in Europe, Russia and Asia and have been able to grow organically in difficult market environments”, comments Anders Pettersson, Interim CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. “From August, I will be returning to my original assignment as Chairman, supporting and guiding Hilding Anders with a clear focus on reaching our one billion Euro sales target for this year”, Pettersson concludes.

Professional background

Christer Åberg, 48, comes from a position as CEO of Orkla Confectionary and Snacks with seven companies in the Nordics and Baltics, and revenues of 5 bn NOK. Before that he was CEO of Arla in Sweden and Finland (2009-13) and for Atria Scandinavia (2006-09). The majority of his professional experience derives from a total of 16 years with global consumer goods company Unilever, where he had a variety of roles. His last position before leaving the company in 2006 was Head of the Nordic Home and Personal Care business. Christer Åberg is Swedish citizen and lives currently in Oslo, Norway.

Ownership and key facts

Hilding Anders is Europe’s leading provider of beds and mattresses. The company has strong footholds in Europe, Russia and Asia and had net sales of €917m and EBITDA profit of €122m in 2014. The company is majority owned by UK private equity firm Arle Capital Partners and is based in Malmö. Started in 1939 in Bjärnum, the company offers a broad brand portfolio including the core brands Askona, Bico, Carpe Diem Beds, CUREM, Hilding, Jensen and Slumberland. The company produces also private label concepts for international and local furniture retailers as well as bedding specialists.

Hilding Anders operates also nearly 1,000 retail outlets in Russia, China and Croatia. The home market, Sweden, today stands for less than 10% of Group net sales.

For further information please contact:

Daniel Oelker

Hilding Anders International AB

Senior Vice President Communications
Email: daniel.oelker@hildinganders.com

Mobile: +46 730 799004

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