Arne Jurbrant
Born 1942, MBA. Board member since 2002. Member of Compensation Committee.
Brands help us to grow
After a long career within the food industry, Board member Arne Jurbrant’s key concerns are consumer products and brands. He describes the work of the Board of Directors as a constantly ongoing process with changing goals, which is motivated by the results of strategies.
15 Jan, 2008
"My particular contribution to the Board of Directors of Swedish Match is my expertise within consumer products and marketing. It suits me perfectly because the Group has many exciting brands and products," Jurbrant explains.
Arne Jurbrant's experience in international groups spans his entire working life. Seven years ago, he ended a long and successful career in the food industry, during which he spent more than 20 years as president within General Foods and Kraft Foods. He continues to work on Swedish Match’s Board because it remains an enjoyable and motivating task.
He believes that two of Swedish Match's chief strengths are its ability to achieve the goals that have been set and the self-confident character of the Group.
"It can’t be easy competing with a player as professional as Swedish Match," he says emphatically.
Jurbrant also believes that Swedish Match has a strong brand portfolio, but still sees much work to be done within brand building and brand strategies to ensure that the Group continues to grow. For example, the company's portfolio does not yet include any global brands.
"The new Smokefree Group function is the beginning of an investment that will eventually offer opportunities for global brand strategies. Although Swedish Match is already making excellent progress with its strategy for smokefree products, this will require many years of work. One of the Group's smartest strategic decisions was the sale of its cigarette operations in 1999, which made the successful concentration on smokefree products and cigars possible.
"During my time at Swedish Match, the company has become increasingly international. This is an impressive feat and it characterizes everything we do. One tangible example is that the Board comprises several nationalities," Jurbrant explains.
He believes that the work of the Swedish Match Board displays several features that characterize a strong board: tolerance, respect for one another's knowledge, expertise that covers all operating areas and last, but not least, that the Board adheres to its role of setting and following up strategies.
"The work of the Board is a constantly ongoing process with goals that change all the time. It may not be as euphorically satisfying as, for example, scoring a goal in a soccer game but planning strategies and ensuring that they are carried out and that they produce results can also give you a kick," he says.
Jurbrant believes that the Board's work is made easier because Swedish Match is a company with a clear strategy for the future.
"At the moment, our main task is ensuring growth. Swedish Match is a small player in a large world, so it is absolutely critical that it continues to grow."