After spending a few hours with Johan Tjernell, one feels slightly overwhelmed and very inspired. The ability to channel one's ideas, realize them, and even do business with them is nothing short of impressive.
Johan runs the companies EQpack AB and Husmuttern AB, and it is about him that this text will revolve.
First, a few words about the companies:
EQpack AB produces packaging solutions for both industrial and consumer products, while Husmuttern AB has developed a completely new way of producing homes.
Midlife Crisis at 40?
You might call it an unusually advanced midlife crisis," Johan says
I found myself in the middle of life with a good job, family, and a house. Everything in place. But I felt I wanted something more – something that would remain when I'm gone. A purpose for having existed.
Johan's feeling led to the establishment of Husmuttern AB, aiming to produce homes sustainably and create employment opportunities. To make the work accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of prior knowledge, they use imagery, pictograms, and moving images as instructions for the workers. This has been done in collaboration with various stakeholders, including MDU, the Employment Service, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, Vinnova, Rise, Almi, and MITC. Just when they were "finished" and about to inaugurate the work, the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
They quickly switched production and, with the same systematic approach, developed modules to produce visors and protective gowns for healthcare workers. Now, after the pandemic, they are refocusing on home construction production.
Not Just an Idea Generator but also an Executor
Johan is, in fact, a rare combination of innovator, idea generator, and executor.
His whole being speaks of a big heart; he considers sustainability in many different ways and enjoys attracting new partners for collaboration.
When Johan was hired, EQpack had a very limited product portfolio and few customers. As the innovator he is, he and EQpack's sales team have significantly increased the number of products and customers. "It's important for us to have a breadth in the product portfolio and not rely solely on one product or one customer.
Johan was hired to do just that, and at the same time, the former CEO and owner, Jan Oveby, expressed a desire for Johan to eventually take over the leadership and ownership of the company.
True to his word, Johan assumed the role of CEO in 2021, and Jan Oveby is chairman of the board until Johan purchases the company.
Now, he continues on the path of developing the companies and gladly hires innovators who contribute to innovative thinking. Here, he creates an environment that encourages fresh ideas, with sustainability aspects always in mind.
Roadtrip
Another proof that Johan and his sales team are good at thinking outside the box is the road trip they embarked on during the summer.
The purpose was to showcase their entire offering, which was done in a converted book bus – of course fueled with environmentally friendly fuel.
It was a success. "We were out for 10 days mainly in Skåne and on the west coast, and we attracted good attention throughout the journey," Johan explains. Both potential and existing customers were visited. Here, they became even more convinced that sales happen through relationships, and that it should ideally feel casual and relaxed.
How do you function as a person and as a business leader?
It's very unpretentious at the company, and the entire development team is filled with problem solvers who work closely together. Personally, I like solving technical problems and thinking differently. I'm curious about people, enjoy socializing and collaborating, and I consciously work on not being like everyone else.
How would your wife describe you?
Since Johan was curious about the answer, his wife was contacted during the interview, and the response came in a text message. Johan read it with joy and a touch of emotion:
Innovative and creative. An inspiring visionary who is open and outgoing. Plus, you are communicative and social.
What does it look like for you in 5 years?
I'm still with the company. Husmuttern is launched and a major player in Sweden and Europe. EQpack is much larger than we are today. We grow organically with the help of new products and new customers. We have a great team in the sales department that helps us find new customers and a strong team that produces with the customer in mind, Johan explains.
What are the company's strengths?
"We are a complete supplier with a very good reputation. Even if things get complicated, we solve the problem, and it all ends with a satisfied customer. We have a close collaboration with our customers, a privilege in everyday life," Johan says, adding, "We work with various materials and methods, including the electrification of Sweden. Husmuttern can grow tremendously when launched. Just think about the enormous need in Ukraine…" Ukraina[KS1] …
We don't have difficulty finding personnel; most are students whom we train ourselves. Just Husmuttern has generated 163 theses/student projects in 8 years, which should be a record in this context.
Some figures:
The number of employees is approximately 30 people, an increase of 10 in two years.
The turnover today is approximately 70 million SEK, in two years they aim for 100 million SEK.
"Growth eats profit, and since we're growing very fast, it's important to make the right decisions all the time. At the same time, money isn't the important thing," Johan says. "What's important is to create strong and viable companies. Family-owned businesses are my role models in terms of business building."
We thank Johan for an energizing moment and wish him and his colleagues the best of luck!
Sparbanken Rekarne AB (2023). Johan Tjernell – en man i ständig rörelse.URL [2023-12-08].
