Jesper Brodin

Every year, when back from vacation I do my front days. It’s an institution at IKEA - Ingvar used to call it the anti-bureaucratic week, and I love that. It brings us to lead in the reality of customers and colleagues. It is a key component in our culture and values, and it’s fun, close to people and action oriented. More than that, it brings speed and clarity to decision making.

A big thank you to Sara Schill and the team in IKEA Älmhult for well-spent time.

Post updated 3 March:
An updated statement on pausing IKEA operations in Russia and continuing our support to established humanitarian organisations is available here: https://lnkd.in/gEniJX2X

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Post updated 26 February:
The heartbreaking conflict impacting people in Ukraine is absolutely devastating and my deepest empathy and thoughts are with people impacted. This is a human tragedy and I share the same worry and fear as many of you are expressing. I have updated my post to better reflect our intentions and actions.

Our highest priority right now is to provide safety and security to those who are directly impacted, in the best way that we can. Our immediate actions are about the personal safety of our colleagues and their families. We have secured employment and income stability and are providing support to their families.

We don't have all the answers and we are working around the clock to assess how we together can best continue to support and help those in need.

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Original post from 23 February:
The current situation in Russia and Ukraine is very concerning and we are carefully monitoring the escalating development.

In these challenging times our highest priority is the safety and security of our people and more than ever it’s important that we embrace togetherness and collaboration. Our commitment is long-term, to our colleagues, customers and suppliers in the region.

The recognition as one of TIME 100 most influential people is thanks to a massive team effort at IKEA. Sustainability is a part of our DNA and the work started many, many years ago. Today we celebrate the fact that it is good business to be a good business.
 
Time is ticking and we are in a hurry to reverse the tides of climate change. I hope IKEA can inspire you to join the work of creating a new economy; climate smart is nature smart is resource smart is cost smart is business smart is brand smart. In short, it’s just smart!
 
We see this as a big motivation to actually deserve to be on the list. Together, we will succeed.

Thanks to TIME, Arianna Huffington and most of all, the big IKEA family.

I am deeply grateful for the work and leadership carried out by IKEA colleagues over the past year. In challenging times, we decided to invest EUR 2.1 billion into lowering the prices on thousands of products to support many more people to fulfil their dreams and needs in life at home, no matter the size of the wallet.

At the same time, we took important steps in strengthening our science-based climate targets, remaining deeply committed to the Paris Agreement. This is the most important decade and by additionally reducing our climate footprint while growing the business, we prove that the business case for investing in climate action works.

Read full report: https://lnkd.in/eNJ9BuJb

Today we celebrate the opening of IKEA City, right in the heart of Stockholm. This is a milestone in many ways, being the first city store in Sweden, one of our most important markets and where IKEA once was founded almost 80 years ago. Ingvar used to say that IKEA belongs to the Swedes and had a dream and vision to furnish the many people’s homes. A big congrats to Graeme Smith, Lena Herder, Jenny Vasquez Ling and the full IKEA Sweden team! Wow, you have gone beyond and above to make Ingvars dream come true.

“It’s important to keep good relations with societies and communities we are close to. Connected with the fact that we work in the long term and we talk in terms of generations, it gives us the responsibility and opportunity to work with these questions.” Tolga Öncü

I’m excited to announce that we have acquired Made4net,a leading US-based supply chain execution and fulfilment solutions provider. The fulfilment operations system will support us IKEA to better meet the dreams and needs of our customers as well as create a better co-worker experience.

Made4net will continue to operate as an independent company as well as serve its existing customers - Duff Davidson and team, looking forward to taking the next steps together. Wim Blaauw, Tolga Öncü, Peter van der Poel.

An IKEA icon has left us - Noboru Nakamura. He spent 50 years within IKEA and leaves a rich legacy – being one of the founders and designers of some of my favorite IKEA products like #POÄNG. He will be remembered as a creative mind and a skilful artist. Noboru Nakamura’s timeless designs will continue to inspire us in the future.

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends and colleagues. Thank you, Nakamura.

It’s great to see so many new brands in the top ten of GlobeScan sustainability survey. It’s a list of progressive and inspiring companies with friends like Alan Jope and Unilever and Patagonia at the top. This is a critical decade and we dedicate this year to sustainability. Together as businesses, society and government we have the responsibility to build back better and take action for future generations and solve the climate crisis. And we can do it, by being bold, taking action and calling for change.

For full report: https://lnkd.in/dMbehrY

The overall target for IKEA is to be climate positive by 2030 and enable more people to live a healthy and sustainable life at home. Today we are announcing that we are increasing our investments into sustainability with 600 MEUR – investments that will be made into our own operations, companies and solutions with an impact towards the #ParisAgreement and the UN #SDGs. We know we have a big responsibility, and a great opportunity, to be part of shaping a cleaner, greener and more just future. Join us in the race to a net zero carbon economy. #OHOP20

This week, I’m back in Romania, visiting the forests where our investment journey began over a decade ago. Today, we manage over 300,000 hectares across seven countries. As a company certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, FSC, we’re deeply committed to responsible forest management, ensuring that the wood we harvest is sustainably sourced. We continuously carry out internal and external audits for transparency and to ensure that our practices meet the highest standards.
 
Being here, I’m filled with pride and gratitude as I see our experts working hand in hand with local communities and partners. Together, we’re making sure that responsible harvesting goes hand in hand with protecting nature and biodiversity. For us, forests hold a special place — wood is at the heart of the IKEA identity, and we’re passionate about it. It’s not just a beautiful and durable material; it’s renewable and recyclable. When managed responsibly, forests can store carbon and play a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
 
Forests are a long-term investment for us. We manage it with a vision that spans decades and even centuries, to ensure it thrives  for generations to come. And we’re here for the long run.

You’ll find more here: https://lnkd.in/dRJvwU5N