Management approach

Husqvarna Group has a genuine desire to take responsibility for a more sustainable world by balancing economic with environmental and social responsibility.

During my first year as President and CEO of Husqvarna Group, we made significant progress in areas defined as key when entering into 2012; we served our customers with high delivery capacity, which was crucial following the production issues faced in 2011, and we substantially improved our cash flow. We have also continued to improve our products and processes across a wide front in order to reduce our impact on the environment.

Business models and product innovations are at the heart of the future’s sustainability challenges. We recognize that sustainability and responsible business conduct are key factors in increasing product value and customer satisfaction, contributing to increased competitiveness and economic growth in the future. During 2012, we launched several battery-products, like semi-professional high-efficient battery-powered chainsaws, trimmers, hedge trimmers and a ride-on mower under the Husqvarna brand.

Sales of the robotic lawn mower, which has several environmental advantages, reached once more an all-time high and during the year the range was expanded with a model under the Gardena brand, designed for smaller areas. A number of projects have taken place at our factories to reduce emissions and energy consumption as well as improving safety for our workers.

During the year, we have made a strategic review and decided upon corporate responsibility and sustainability objectives, short term as well as long term. We are confident that a responsible company will generate more business opportunities and increase profitability.

We have also established a more solid structure for sustainability enhancements; the entire Group Management are now members of the Sustainability Council and the Group’s governance regarding environment, health and safety was restructured to put more focus on health and safety management systems.

Hans Linnarson,

President and CEO