BE Group CEO leaves for Dometic

Steel trading company BE Group (STO: BEGR) is hunting for a new CEO after hearing from Roger Johansson that he is leaving to become President & CEO of Dometic AB , a leisure/comfort products provider for RV, truck, car and boat markets. The handover is to be done by latest on January 1st 2013. Dometic used to be a part of Electrolux and sells products such as air conditioners, refrigerators, awnings, cookers, sanitation systems, etc. It is owned by Swedish private equity firm EQT. BE Group says it is sad to see Mr. Johansson go and has started the process to find a new CEO.

Handels strike would affect many listed companies

Swedish Commercial Employees' Union Handels has issued a strike warning. It would start after Easter celebrations on April 13th. While strikes are rare in Sweden, Handels has used the threat on occasion in recent years.

Negotiations with employer’s organization Svensk Handel broke down several days ago. Naturally Svensk Handel is opposed of such a move and thinks it would be very damaging to the Swedish economy. The union demands 860 SEK wage increase to retail sector employees plus 100 SEK extra to narrow the gap in between male-female earnings.

The warning covers warehouses and stores with some 5600 employees and 65 workplaces. Since certain big wholesalers are involved, it could also have a trickle down effect on other smaller companies. Among listed companies affected would be

Clas Ohlson (OMX: CLAS B)
Lindex fashion chain, a subsidiary of Finnish Stockmann (OMX: STCAS, STCBV)
Hemköpskedjan AB and WiLLY:S AB, subsidiaries of food retailer Axfood AB (OMX: AXFO)

Building, contracting and industrial sectors retailer Swedol AB (STO: SWOL B)
Steel trading and services firm BE Group Sverige (STO: BEGR)
Industrial consumables and components provicer B&B TOOLS (STO: BBTO B)

H&M Hennes & Mauritz (OMX: HM B)
Large retailer ICA AB, which is 40% owned by Hakon Invest AB (STO: HAKN)
KappAhl (STO: KAHL)
Car spare-parts chain Mekonomen (STO: MEKO)