“A little better every day” – Anders Hedlund reflects on his journey with Fumex

After three decades as a driving force behind the growth of Fumex, the Swedish company behind Movex, Anders Hedlund has handed over the CEO role to Maria Lidström. But he is far from finished with the company he helped transform from a small local business with SEK 8 million in annual revenue into an international industry leader – while keeping its headquarters and ownership firmly rooted in Skellefteå, Sweden.

 

It is difficult to imagine Fumex without Anders Hedlund. But when he first walked into his office in Skellefteå in the mid-1990s, the challenge was not really about starting something new. It was about survival.

“The company had SEK 8 million in revenue the year before I joined. Sweden was in the middle of a financial crisis. From day one, the challenge was to create growth and prove that the company was worth continuing to invest in,” he says.

Fumex traces its roots back to 1945, but the company took on its current form in 1975. Anders stepped into an established industrial company that needed new energy and renewed confidence in the future. He brought years of experience from the ventilation industry, along with international experience from Algeria, Poland, Bulgaria, and Vietnam. He understood early on what it meant to operate in international markets. In the late 1990s, he became a co-owner of the holding company together with business partner Per Lidström – ownership that has intentionally remained in Skellefteå throughout the company’s growth.

“We knew early on what we were good at and what kind of company we wanted to be. There was never any doubt that we wanted to stay focused on this niche, grow within it, and keep getting better. But at the time, we were still a small company, and there was not much room for mistakes,” Anders says.

Product development has followed the same philosophy as the company itself: no overnight revolutions, but steady, continuous improvement.

“Fumex’s motto, ‘a little better every day,’ is not a marketing slogan. It is a real operating principle that has shaped everything from product design to customer service since my first day. There has always been something we could make a little better. The opportunities have always been there – you just have to recognize them.”

In a highly competitive industry, Anders repeatedly comes back to service when explaining what has truly set Fumex apart – and what continues to do so today.

“We always want to be available to our customers, and we build personal relationships that last for years. In the past, we would leave a binder with consulting engineers, but we always told them: you really do not need to read it. If you need help, just call us. It is an attitude, not a procedure.”

Growth has been consistent. Since 1994, Fumex has continuously delivered positive results while increasing revenue. Anders sees those numbers as confirmation that the company’s fundamental principles work – and, above all, as a reflection of the commitment of its employees.

“At its core, Fumex is built by its people. We as a team have brought the company to where it is today, and it is the team that will take the next step forward. I am proud to have been part of that journey, to have recognized opportunities, and to have helped turn them into reality together.”

Anders is not the type of leader who builds hierarchies or processes simply for the sake of having them. His leadership philosophy is both simpler and more demanding: trust people. The culture he has worked to build is one where mistakes are allowed – not because mistakes are desirable, but because they can be an important part of learning.

“In a small organization, you cannot spend your time keeping lists of where everyone is supposed to be. Freedom with responsibility is the principle. You have to be willing to trust people and trust each other’s strengths. You cannot avoid doing something just because it might go wrong. There are lessons in that, too.”

Moving from CEO to Chairman of the Board has done little to slow Anders down. He is clear about what he sees as the priorities for the future: expertise and capacity.

“We have now completed our new headquarters, which turned out very well and has a great view over the city. The next step is to add resources, retain our expertise, and continue strengthening it. And you want to talk about execution – not just dreams and plans. We are continuing to invest in modern technology, launching an app for our users, and further expanding our market presence.”

Despite its international reach, with customers and partnerships extending far beyond Sweden, Fumex remains at heart what it has always been: a company from Skellefteå, with its roots, decision-making, and people firmly based in the city. As Chairman of the Board, Anders now wants to provide support, preserve the experience and values that have shaped Fumex, and help guide the company into its next chapter. His motivation remains much the same as it was 30 years ago.

“We should stay on the path we are already on and keep looking ahead. I am happy to carry the lantern and help lead the way. And as long as we continue to recognize opportunities and develop together, things will keep getting better – a little better every day.”