New members aboard
Österberg Group stands strong on two legs in the plastics and metal industries. The Group comprises nine plastic and metal industry companies in Finland, Sweden and Estonia. Swedish Machtech and Finnish J. Varila Steel are the latest inclusions into the group. In addition, the Group also includes a trading company in Shanghai.
Österberg has long been known for its specialty as a plastic industry professional. Specialization in the injection molding of thermoplastics and thermosets has given it a strong position, especially as a manufacturer of plastic parts for the electrical industry. Originally, however, the company was founded for the manufacture of metal products in 1948, and since then, the manufacture and subcontracting of metal products have remained an important part of the business. The corporate acquisitions now made will strengthen Österberg’s position, especially on the metal side of operations.
“The acquisition of Machtech not only provides us with natural access to the Swedish market, but Machtech ‘s extensive machine base also enables us to deliver more comprehensive entities to our other customers,” says Chairman of the Board and second-generation entrepreneur Jens Österberg.
Machtech manufactures metal parts and products for the defense industry and nuclear power plants. Its factories have a large number of special machinery and robotics, enabling even more entities requiring demanding welding, assembly and surface finishing. Originally, Machtech acted as a separate machine shop for BAE System Hägglund, a manufacturing giant producing defense products, so the traditions and know-how in manufacturing such products are strong.
J. Varila Steel manufactures tractor powered snow blowers and carries out subcontracting in the metal industry.
The Österberg Group is a strong family business and is currently undergoing a generational shift. Jan and Matias Österberg are third-generation entrepreneurs and are now taking on a larger role in the company’s business. However, no major upheaval in the company’s business is expected, since both have been working for a number of years in corporate management positions.
“Jan and Matias have already brought an entirely new vision to the company. We have been prepared for a generation change for a good while, and changes will be made gradually and in a controlled manner,” says Jens Österberg.
