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The SACC Sustainability Committee Launch Event on 6 April at the Embassy of Sweden in Canberra

7 April, 2022

The Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce launches Sustainability Committee to inspire and accelerate sustainability actions across corporate Australia

7 April 2022, Canberra: The Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) today announced that it has launched its sustainability committee to advocate for corporate Australia to champion best practice in sustainable business practice and take an active stance on the transition to a net zero economy. The SACC Sustainability Committee was officially launched at an event hosted by the Embassy of Sweden, in Canberra, officiated by His Excellency, Henrik Cederin, Ambassador of Sweden to Australia.

The SACC Sustainability Committee consists of fourteen global companies with long standing presence in Australia, recognized within their respective industries as being in the forefront of sustainability. These companies include ABB, Alfa Laval, AstraZeneca, Getinge, H&M, IKEA Australia, Sandvik, Serneke, Tetra Pak, Volvo Group Australia, BCSD Australia, Embassy of Sweden, Business Sweden and the Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Carin Varverud-Hardin, Chair of the SACC Sustainability Committee, said: “Swedish companies are leading the way in how they actively respond to climate change. The aim of our sustainability committee is to share global best practices with corporate Australia so that we can inspire faster and greater action, and create a platform where companies can learn from each other”.

Camilla Jennings, General Manager of the Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce said: “Sweden is recognised as one of the most sustainable countries in the world. The Swedish government has set ambitious goals for sustainability, including going fossil-free by 2045 and 100 percent renewable energy”.

“This ambition extends to the Swedish corporate sector as well, and so we are seeing a lot of innovative practices that are driving real and tangible results in achieving the UN’s sustainable development goals such as reduction of carbon emissions and driving equality in the workplace,” said Ms Jennings.

Some of these best practices include:

ABB has committed to becoming carbon neutral across its own operations and enable its customers to reduce their CO2 emissions by 100 megatons per year through its technologies.

Alfa Laval collaborates with cleantech pioneers to accelerate the energy transition, such as Australian start up RayGen building the world-first ‘hydro-solar’ thermal storage power plant in Victoria. Alfa Laval also set itself the target to become a climate neutral company by 2030.

AstraZeneca has partnered with Greening Australia to plant 25 million trees in Australia by 2025, as a result of the ‘AZ Forest’ Global initiative.

Getinge is transforming its corporate fleet to hybrids and electrical vehicles and switching to renewable energy sources in production.

IKEA uses more renewable and recycled materials than ever to eliminate waste in its operations and to change how they design products. They have set a goal to become climate positive by 2030.

Sandvik has ambitious sustainability targets that take a holistic approach that includes customers, suppliers and their own operations in its scope which are in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). They have committed to become the leaders in battery electric trucks, loaders and drills which feature zero underground emissions, produce less noise and heat and help their mining customers reach their Net Zero targets.

Tetra Pak is working towards delivering the world’s most sustainable packaging, made solely of responsibly sourced renewable or recycled materials, fully recyclable and carbon-neutral.

Volvo Group’s long-term ambition is to lead the industry towards net-zero emissions. The Group have committed to net-zero emissions across their value chain by 2040. More than 35% of vehicle sales will be electric by 2030.

About the Committee, Vision and Focus

For further information, contact:

Carin Varverud Härdin, SACC Sustainability Committee Chair and Vice President of Marketing Communications, Volvo Group Australia

Email: carin.varverud-hardin@volvo.com

Camilla Jennings, General Manager Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce

Email: camilla@swedishchamber.com.au

Swedish – Australian Innovation, Technology and Design Summit 28-29 September 2022

10 February, 2022

Swedish – Australian Innovation, Technology and Design Summit 28-29 September 2022, University of Technology Sydney

This two-day Summit held at the University of Technology Sydney is a new initiative organised by the Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with UTS, the Embassy of Sweden, Business Sweden and partner companies. The purpose to highlight Swedish-Australian innovation, technology and design, raise the profile of Sweden and Australia as innovative nations.

During the 2 day Summit, we will present examples of innovative cooperation, knowledge exchange, R&D and creative business development between Sweden and Australia. Highlight key initiatives and new areas of cooperation to drive innovation and sustainability in the future.

Partner companies and organisations will showcase and inform about their innovation initiatives within tech, sustainability and design. Offer demonstrations and informative topic presentations to students, business contacts, special guests and clients. Facilitate master classes for students, thought leadership talks and thought-provoking conversations to share expertise and spark new ideas. There will be on stage in person and hybrid talks, presentations, panel discussions as well as smaller group sessions on specific topics. The Summit also offers great networking opportunities and ends with a Gala Dinner on 29 September.

Keep an eye on Socials and the SACC website for partner and event updates.

Contact us for more information on sacc@swedishchamber.com.au

THE SWEDISH BUSINESS IN AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNERS 2021

2 December, 2021

The winners and runner ups of the 2021 business awards were announced virtually and we are delighted to announce that they will be presented on stage and celebrated at the Swedish Australian Innovation Technology and Design Summit on 16 March 2022. Four inspirational companies – newcomers as well as established – won the 2021 Awards, showcasing the successful Sweden–Australia business connection.

The Awards provide a great platform for companies to showcase their business within the Swedish-Australian business community. These awards also offer a great opportunity for companies to be recognised at a state as well as national level for being a business leader in its field or have specific expertise and of course, these awards offer everyone participating, invaluable promotional opportunities. The Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1911 and we feel very proud of celebrating 110 years of dedication to create, promote, add value and support a sustainable Swedish-Australian business network.

The awards are run on a non-profit basis and promote Swedish related business activities in Australia as well as recognising organisations and individuals that help give Swedish business in Australia a positive profile.

The entries for the 2021 year’s awards according to the jury panel were of very high and equal quality, which made the evaluation process very hard but after careful screening of the different nominations, the result within the four different categories was decided and announced as follows.

Excellence in Business Enterprise

This award was open to all Swedish or Swedish-Australian businesses; large or small, newcomer or established. Here we highlight businesses or organisations that have achieved outstanding results through initiatives that demonstrate excellence in business management, a significant project, implementing progressive sustainability strategy, innovative campaign or product, marketing/branding or a new enterprise launch.

The Excellence in Business Enterprise Award for 2021 was granted to Ericsson Australia with Husqvarna and Randek as runner ups.

Ericsson Australia has been integral in evolving Australia’s telecommunications industry through the development of innovative technologies and solutions. From the first public telephone system in 1959 to the first 5G network in the Southern Hemisphere in 2020, Ericsson has partnered with operators to cement Australia as a global technology leader. Just in the last 18 months, Ericsson has helped connect over 3 million customers to 5G and is collaborating with partners to evolve 5G networks as a platform for innovation to support Australia’s digital future.

Ericsson’s Managing Director Australia and New Zealand says: “I’m thrilled that Ericsson has been presented with the Excellence in Business Enterprise award at the 2021 Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce Swedish Business in Australia Awards.

First established in 1876 in Stockholm, we are proud of our Swedish heritage. Our technology innovation has positioned Australia as one of the global leaders in 5G, but it is the imprint of the founder, Lars Magnus Ericsson, who believed access to communication is a basic human right, that remains unmistakable to this day.

In 130 plus years, Ericsson Australia has grown from sales and repair shops to a household name, helping to create sustainable change and transforming nearly every sector of society. Whether it be the launch of Australia’s first public telephone system, or supporting the roll-out of the Southern Hemisphere’s first 5G network, Ericsson has placed the Swedish innovation at the very heart of Australia’s telco industry and ensured that Australia is at the cutting edge of technology.” www.ericsson.com/en

Excellence in Sustainability

The Sustainability award recognises organisations that execute initiatives that demonstrate leadership and commitment to sustainable business practices in planning, operations, marketing and/or in line with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). We encouraged businesses of all sizes and sectors that go above and beyond to achieve any of the SDG’s, to reduce the impact of their operations on the environment and/or provide products and services that have positive environmental outcomes.

As many Swedish organisations are advanced in this area it was difficult for the jury to select a winner within this category with the impressive runner up companies, Alfa Laval and Axis Communications.

The Excellence in Sustainability Award for 2021 was awarded to AstraZeneca Australia. AstraZeneca is part of the global science-led biopharmaceutical company and is engaged in the research, development, manufacture and supply of medicines, that are committed to making a real difference to the lives of Australians.

AstraZeneca Australia’s policy and values embrace sustainable priorities such as; disease prevention and treatment, product environment stewardship, greenhouse gas reduction, water and power stewardship, waste management, responsible supply chain management, ethical business culture, inclusion and diversity and workforce well being and safety.

Two main sustainability initiatives stood out for the jury: “Their decision to provide a COVID vaccine to protect all people at cost and no profit during the pandemic period; and initiating the largest private greening venture in Australia (with Greening Australia), planting 25 million trees to recover native growth following the bushfires 2019-20”. AstraZeneca Australia integrated sustainability into every aspect of their enterprise, going beyond meeting annual and longer-term targets, to evolving a mindset and practices to meet changing and challenging times, well beyond their core business. www.astrazeneca.com.au

Excellence in Small Business

This award recognises a business that has attained significant growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies and processes implemented to achieve sustainable growth in the last year.

The 2021 Excellence in Small Business Award was secured by E3 Health, taking the lead over strong runner up companies Fallon Dasey Content and TePe.

E3 Health was established in 2017 as a consulting firm supporting medical technology companies with commercialisation. The first Swedish product, launched in Australia in 2019, was Pjama a washable pyjama for bedwetters invented in Sweden 2014. Pjama has to date generated over $325K in sales and with the right strategies well executed can generate more than $1M in sales annually. More than 1000 children and adults with bedwetting problems in Australia have had a positive life-changing experience thanks to Pjama. More than 1000 children and adults with bedwetting problems in Australia have had a positive life-changing experience thanks to Pjama.

With the launch of Hipsafety’s hip protective clothing, the elderly community has a new unique solution available to improve quality of life. The wearer can feel safe, comfortable and confident during their activity of choice. “E3 Health edged the other finalists out for its impressive growth in challenging times, as well as the heartwarming customer feedback. As the product offering expands growth is set to accelerate.” e3health.com.au

Excellence in Community Contribution

The Excellence in Community Contribution Award recognises businesses/organisations/individuals that implement initiatives that have a positive impact on the community and generate outcomes that have a long-term benefit. Initiatives can include but are not limited to projects, programs, processes, systems, developments, ventures and undertakings.

This new award for 2021 went to much deserving Elekta, who provides radiation therapy, radiosurgery, related equipment and clinical management for the treatment of cancer and brain disorders.

Elekta is working to broaden cancer treatment availability through new solutions and training so that new, state-of-the-art technology becomes available to everyone in the community. “As technology continues to improve, it requires companies like Elekta to bring it to market to ensure cancer survival rates continue to improve. This enables cancer survivors to live a longer, more improved quality of life.”

Clinicians are inspired by Elekta’s innovative, outcome driven and cost-efficient solutions which allow them to treat more patients and achieve elevated treatment outcomes. Through awareness and advocacy of radiation therapy and the use of Elekta solutions, patients are inspired to take active participation in their cancer journey and seek the best treatment outcomes to extend their life. www.elekta.com

The SACC would like to thank members and everyone engaged in the 2021 Business Awards selection and presentation. Special thanks go to the dedicated judges and all companies who participated in the awards.

www.swedishchamber.com.au

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THE SWEDISH BUSINESS IN AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNERS 2020

2 December, 2021

The winners of the 2020 business awards were announced virtually and we are delighted to announce that they will be presented on stage and celebrated at the Swedish Australian Innovation Technology and Design Summit on 16 March 2022. Four inspirational companies – newcomers as well as established – won the 2020 Awards, showcasing the successful Sweden–Australia business connection.

The Awards provide a great platform for companies to showcase their business within the Swedish-Australian business community. These awards also offer a great opportunity for companies to be recognised at a state as well as national level for being a business leader in its field or have specific expertise and of course, these awards offer everyone participating, invaluable promotional opportunities. The Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1911 and we feel very proud of celebrating 110 years of dedication to create, promote, add value and support a sustainable Swedish-Australian business network.

The awards are run on a non-profit basis and promote Swedish related business activities in Australia as well as recognising organisations and individuals that help give Swedish business in Australia a positive profile.

The entries for the 2020 year’s awards according to the jury panel were of very high and equal quality, which made the evaluation process very hard but after careful screening of the different nominations, the result within the four different categories was decided and announced as follows.

Excellence in Business Enterprise

This award was open to all Swedish or Swedish-Australian businesses; large or small, newcomer or established. Here we highlight businesses or organisations that have achieved outstanding results through initiatives that demonstrate excellence in business management, a significant project, implementing progressive sustainability strategy, innovative campaign or product, marketing/branding or a new enterprise launch.

The Excellence in Business Enterprise Award for 2020 was granted to Permobil, a multinational company founded in 1967 fully owned by Investor AB. Permobil develops, manufacture and market wheelchairs, seating and positioning and communication systems for people with disabilities. Permobil Australia became the second biggest entity for the Permobil organisation globally in 2020, having been in 5th place at the start of 2019. In 2020, Permobil Australia was the only market to have achieved its budget and shown growth. Revenue growth of 40%, with EBIT growth of 113%. “ Permobil Australia would now be considered the Australian market leader in its category of Assistive Technology (Complex Rehabilitation Technology). Able to maintain growth despite market lockdowns throughout different parts of Australia, through new sales channels and protocols.”

www.permobil.com/en-au

Excellence in Sustainability

The Sustainability award recognises organisations that execute initiatives that demonstrate leadership and commitment to sustainable business practices in planning, operations, marketing and/or in line with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). We encouraged businesses of all sizes and sectors that go above and beyond to achieve any of the SDG’s, to reduce the impact of their operations on the environment and/or provide products and services that have positive environmental outcomes.

As many Swedish organisations are quite advanced in this area it was particularly hard for the jury to select a winner within this category.

The Excellence in Sustainability Award for 2020 was handed to ABB a multinational corporation, operating in robotics, power, electrical equipment and automation technology areas. ABB delivers solutions that enable the sustainable cities, industry and transport systems that the world needs to mitigate climate change and conserve non-renewable resources.

Their leading technologies are developed to have positive impact and to enable sustainable growth for customers. Each of ABB’s businesses works to move society away from outmoded products and toward smart solutions that leverage the power of digitalisation, incorporating sustainability as a central feature. The result will be smarter buildings, cities, industry and transport that help the world achieve a better future. In Australia, ABB have a particular focus in two critical areas driving sustainable cities and sustainable living – Smart Buildings and Smart Mobility.

“ABB is clearly a global leader in technologies that will make the world more sustainable. It’s so good that their offering of products, technologies, skills and know-how is applied to the Australian market, be it in smarter buildings, energy production or transport.

new.abb.com/au

Excellence in Small Business

This award recognises a business that has attained significant growth and is able to demonstrate the specific strategies and processes implemented to achieve sustainable growth in the last year.

This year the 2020 Excellence in Small Business Award was secured by TePe Australia.

TePe is a family owned company, with all manufacturing in Malmö Sweden. TePe offers a variety of products, developed in collaboration with dental professionals, for keeping mouth and teeth healthy.

In challenging circumstances, TePe has demonstrated an ability to remain agile and evolve core products and supplier relationships to reduce carbon emissions while building demand through the leverage of multiple new online channels to inform and convert influencers and future customers. This has resulted in the continued ability to grow revenue despite the challenging market conditions for a new product that requires healthcare professional education and onboarding. “TePe is a deserving award winner as a classic small company doing well. A high quality product and a hard working team is, as usual, a very successful combination.”

www.tepe.com/au

Excellence in Innovation

The 2020 Excellence in Innovation Award recognises businesses that have made significant contributions to their industry through the introduction, improvement and implementation of an innovative solution or idea, a method, technology, process or application, new, existing or long-term.

The Excellence in Innovation category winner was Pagero. Pagero provides a Smart Business Network that connects buyers and sellers for automated, compliant, and secure exchange of orders, invoices, payment instructions and other business documents.

Pagero’s innovative, open, cloud-based solution revolutionises the way Australians do business with each other. Through their smart business network, they supported Australian businesses to fully digitalise their operations, no matter what existing systems and processes they had in place. With complete digitalisation, businesses will have accurate real-time analytics to make better business decisions, improving their operational efficiency and performance overall.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on many Australian businesses with many accelerating adoptions of digital technologies in order to stay in business. “Pagero supported businesses with this transition by making it easier for Australians to stay safe and work from home. Through trading digitally, they observed a reduced need for paper documents and for people to be in the office processing these documents.” Pagero is constantly adapting to lead business innovation in Australia.

www.pagero.com

The SACC would like to thank members and everyone engaged in the 2020 Business Awards selection and presentation. Special thanks go to the dedicated judges and all companies who participated in the awards.

www.swedishchamber.com.au

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SCANDINAVIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2021 – Feature 5 Swedish Films

2 July, 2021

Highlights of the Scandinavian Film Festival

The Scandinavian Film Festival returns exclusively to Palace Cinemas this July with a specially curated programme of films and events, showcasing the best in new Nordic cinema.

The Festival will open with WILDLAND (Kød & Blod). Set in Denmark’s underbelly, Jeanette Nordahl’s striking Scandi-noir follows an impressionable teenage girl who is placed in the care of her estranged aunt, (an incredible Sidse Babett Knudsen), the head of a family crime syndicate.

From Finland comes the GAMES PEOPLE PLAY (Seurapeli). A group of old friends gather at an idyllic Finnish seaside villa to celebrate a surprise birthday, where old feelings and power struggles rise to the surface, starring Laura Birn and Christian Hillborg.

At the Centrepiece of the Festival is THE COUNTY (Héraðið), Grímur Hákonarson’s eagerly anticipated follow-up to the global hit Rams. THE COUNTY is a rousing, David-and-Goliath comedy about a dairy farmer’s wife (Arndís Hrönn Egilsdóttir) who takes on the corrupt local co-op in her remote Icelandic valley.

Rising Norwegian star Josefine Frida Pettersen (Skam) shines in Jorunn Myklebust Syversen’s provocative new drama DISCO about a young evangelical dance champion whose faith is tested, prompting her to search for radical solutions.

This year’s Special Presentation is the Swedish film TIGERS (Tigrar)

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

TIGERS

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

Crowned Best Nordic Film at the Göteborg Film Festival 2021, Tigers is the enthralling true story of Martin Bengtsson, a former Inter Milan player, who lifted the lid on a world where everyone has a price tag. Festival Director Elysia Zeccola said: “We emerge from hibernation with a stunning selection of the best Nordic cinema, including award-winning films direct from the 2021 Göteborg Film Festival featuring the brightest stars from the region.”

Other featured Swedish films

THE EMIGRANTS

CLOSING NIGHT

Celebrating its 50th anniversary and featuring Max von Sydow and Liv Ullmann, The Emigrants follows a struggling farming family in mid-19th Century Sweden who decide to embark on the arduous journey to new hope in America.

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

A PIECE OF MY HEART

Based on music by legendary Swedish artist Tomas Ledin (ABBA), this musical comedy follows successful businesswoman Isabella’s (Malin Akerman) return to her hometown, where she learns that her teenage love (Christian Hillborg) is getting married.

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

CALL MUM!

Niki has just turned 35 and is suddenly forced to come to grips with all her relationships and past choices in life in this charming comedy about mother-daughter relationships.

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

PSYCHOSIS IN STOCKHOLM

The deeply moving 2020 Göteborg Film Festival’s Opening film is a surreal drama about a mother and daughter who embark on a trip to Stockholm, yet their plan is derailed when the mother begins acting strangely.

The SACC will organise pre-movie networking drinks in each Chapter city (highlighted below) if covid restrictions allow:

Sydney: 6 – 28 July, Palace Norton, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinemas
Canberra: 7 – 28 July, Palace Electric
Melbourne: 8 – 28 July, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino and Pentridge Cinema
Adelaide: 13 July – 4 August, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas
Perth: 14 July – 4 August, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX & Palace Raine Square
Brisbane: 15 July – 4 August, Palace James St, Palace Barracks
Byron Bay: 16 July – 1 August, Palace Byron Bay

Stay tuned as we roll out event details for each city once dates become available.

For more information, visit scandinavianfilmfestival.com and follow us on Insta/Facebook @ScandiFilmFest.