A large proportion of companies in Östergötland County, Sweden, are family-owned, and many are approaching a generational shift. A significant portion of business owners are older and nearing retirement, risking the disappearance of businesses if no new owners take over. Nearly four in ten companies plan an ownership change within the next five years, according to Johan Gustafsson, regional manager at Svenskt Näringsliv.
About 70 percent of companies in Östergötland are family-owned today, and roughly one in six business owners is of retirement age, creating uncertainty about the future of many operations. Gustafsson warns that viable companies could unnecessarily go under and jobs could be lost. He says many companies are profitable and have good conditions to continue but risk disappearing if no one takes over.
Nearly four in ten companies plan an ownership change within the next five years
Better planning is needed, as too many start generational and ownership changes too late, reducing the chance of finding someone willing and able to take over.
viable companies could unnecessarily go under and jobs could be lost
many companies are profitable and have good conditions to continue but risk disappearing if no one takes over
Better planning is needed, as too many start generational and ownership changes too late, reducing the chance of finding someone willing and able to take over