Lundhags will be closing down its Swedish production unit for Nordic skates next year, as dwindling sales no longer justify the expense. Sales of these skates by the Swedish outdoor firm decreased from about 22,000 to 7,000 pairs over the last years, after two mild winters. The capacity of the factory, which is located in Järpen, in central Sweden, has already been reduced sharply, but the company is now looking for ways to have the skates produced elsewhere. Nordic skates only made up about 7 percent of Lundhags’ sales last year, when it generated a turnover of about 60 million Swedish crowns (€6.3m-$10.0m), up by 20 percent. It continues to enjoy robust growth with apparel, which now makes up 45 percent of sales. It should expand further internationally over the next years, on the back of its partnership with Tenson and Five Seasons. Lundhags joined the two other brands when it was acquired late last year by EQT, a Swedish equity fund. Together they form Norrwin, a company with international scope and sales of about 300 million SEK (€31.6m-$50.3m). More in our regular issue.
