Systemair's New CEO Faces Ambitious Goal: Double Size in 7 Years

SKINNSKATTEBERG, Sweden – January 02, 2026 – Systemair, a global leader in ventilation technology, officially welcomed Robert Larsson today as its new President and CEO. Larsson steps into the role at a pivotal moment, inheriting a consistently profitable company while being tasked with a formidable challenge: to double the group's size within the next seven years.

The transition, first announced on July 3, 2025, sees Larsson succeed Roland Kasper, who led the company since 2015. While Systemair has enjoyed steady growth, this new mandate signals a significant acceleration in strategy, placing immense expectations on its new leader's shoulders.

A New Leader for an Accelerated Era

Robert Larsson brings a wealth of international and industrial experience to Systemair, credentials the board deems essential for the company's next phase. Before joining the ventilation giant, he held senior executive positions at AFRY Group, where he was Head of the Infrastructure Division, a unit with SEK 10 billion in revenue and 7,000 employees. His extensive 24-year tenure at global technology firm ABB, with roles in Sweden, China, and Switzerland, further cements his reputation as a leader with deep global operational expertise.

This background is precisely what the board was seeking. "Systemair has a clear growth journey ahead," stated Patrik Nolåker, Chairman of Systemair AB, in the original announcement. "The goal for the Group is to double its size within 7 years, and this is where Robert's broad industrial and international expertise comes in. Together with the employees in our organization, Robert will develop Systemair to the next level."

Upon starting his tenure, Larsson expressed his own optimism. "I am both honoured and very pleased that the Board has entrusted me with this responsibility, and I feel great enthusiasm about leading this international ventilation group," he said. After spending two months familiarizing himself with the company, he praised its position, noting, "Systemair is well-managed and well-positioned for the future."

Building on a Foundation of Stable Growth

The challenge to double in size, while ambitious, is not being launched from a standing start. Systemair enters this new era from a position of remarkable strength and stability. Founded in 1974, the company has an unbroken record of reporting an operating profit every year of its existence.

In its most recent 2024/25 financial year, the group reported sales of SEK 12.3 billion and employed approximately 6,700 people. Over the past decade, it has maintained an average growth rate of 7.9%, expanding its footprint to 51 countries across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and Africa. This global, diversified customer base and a portfolio of strong brands—including Systemair, Frico, Fantech, and Menerga—provide a solid platform for accelerated expansion. Larsson himself acknowledged this strong base, highlighting the company's "high-quality ventilation products and great emphasis on providing energy-efficient solutions."

This consistent performance under his predecessor, Roland Kasper, has established Systemair as a reliable and significant player on the Nasdaq Stockholm Large Cap list. The new mandate is not about fixing a broken model but about leveraging this solid foundation to achieve exponential growth.

Ventilating a Greener, Smarter World

Systemair's strategic focus on energy efficiency places it at the nexus of several powerful global trends. The push for decarbonization, stricter building codes, and a heightened awareness of indoor air quality (IAQ) following the global pandemic have transformed ventilation from a basic utility into a critical component of sustainable and healthy buildings.

The company's core mission to "improve the indoor climate through energy-efficient products and solutions" aligns perfectly with this market shift. Modern ventilation systems with heat recovery technology are essential for reducing the energy consumption of buildings, which are a major source of global carbon emissions. As governments and corporations intensify their focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, demand for Systemair's products is expected to surge.

Furthermore, high-growth technology sectors are creating new opportunities. The rapid expansion of data centers, for example, requires sophisticated and highly reliable cooling and climate control solutions. This specialized market segment has already delivered significant orders for competitors, indicating a lucrative avenue for Systemair's expertise in climate management technology. The integration of smart controls and IoT capabilities into HVAC systems also presents a frontier for innovation, allowing for optimized performance and predictive maintenance in smart buildings.

The Strategic Path to Doubling Down

Achieving a seven-year doubling target, which implies a compound annual growth rate of over 10%, will require a multi-faceted strategy that goes beyond organic growth. While innovation in product lines will be crucial, a significant portion of this expansion will likely come from strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

Systemair's corporate structure, which already comprises around 90 companies, demonstrates a long history of growth through acquisition. This established M&A capability will be a critical tool for Larsson. The new management team reflects this focus, with Ulrika Hellman serving as Vice President of M&A. Acquisitions could be targeted to gain market share in key regions, enter new geographic markets, or acquire cutting-edge technologies that complement the existing product portfolio.

However, this aggressive path is not without significant challenges. The company must navigate a landscape fraught with potential headwinds, including volatile raw material prices and persistent global supply chain disruptions that can impact production costs and timelines. Geopolitical instability and trade tensions could also affect its operations in 51 countries. Moreover, the HVAC market is intensely competitive, with established players and nimble newcomers all vying for a share of the growing green technology market.

Larsson will lead a seasoned management team to navigate these complexities, including Anders Ulff as CFO, Anders Gustafson as VP Global Supply Chain, and Olle Glassel as VP Sales, among others. Their collective ability to execute an aggressive growth strategy while mitigating external risks will be the ultimate test of this new era. Larsson's early comments suggest a collaborative approach is forthcoming. "I look forward to taking the next step together with the company's driven employees," he stated, emphasizing the human element of the challenge ahead. He inherits what he has already termed a "very strong corporate culture," and his ability to harness that culture will be just as important as any financial or M&A strategy in determining Systemair's success over the next seven years.