About us
This is the
JOOL Group
Småland, in the south-east of Sweden, has often been recognised for the entrepreneurship that has flourished in the region. The people of Småland have often been independent and self-sufficient in the past, which may perhaps be why entrepreneurship is still such a strong part of the Småland mentality today. Ingvar Kamprad’s furniture giant IKEA, with its down-to-earth corporate culture, and the famous “Spirit of Gnosjö” characterised by drive and small-scale enterprise, are just two of many examples of what characterises enterprise in Småland.
We are typical Småland entrepreneurs, rooted in the municipality of Lessebo. Together, we represent two generations of enterprise, achieving the best results by combining skill and experience with drive and Småland business acumen. These qualities have been absolutely crucial in building the JOOL Group into what it is today.
We own and develop companies, but our primary focus is on people. After many years of enterprise in a series of industries, we are well aware that people are what matter most, regardless of whether you work with manufacturing or services.
We believe in team building, taking advantage of each person’s unique qualities and strengths. This is how we go about creating a strong team where everyone works together towards a common goal. Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something.
Around Easter 2008, we began looking at the potential acquisition of ESS-ENN Timber AB, at that time one of the major brands in Swedish sawn timber products. The joint company JOOL Invest AB was formed in conjunction with that acquisition. ESS-ENN was taken over that same summer. The company was close to bankruptcy and the deal was complex. In the years that followed, a range of measures were implemented to turn the company around. It has been a long journey, with plenty of challenges along the way, but now ESS-ENN is once more a well-funded and profitable company.
We have developed, acquired and invested in a number of other companies during the Group’s history, which spans almost 15 years. In 2010, we founded the financing business Vinga, which today is a leading provider in growth financing for small and medium-sized Nordic companies. The business was recently sold to Nasdaq First North-listed Navigo Invest, where we are now the main owner.
“Småland entrepreneurship with sound values and long-term ownership.”
The industrial side has also grown, with supplementary acquisitions for existing operations and investment in Lessebo Paper AB, a company dating back to the 17th century that now produces one of the world’s most eco-friendly papers. In addition to existing group companies, multiple newer holdings, such as Barkonsult and JOODIN, contribute to increasing the group’s economic resilience and improving the conditions for robust profit growth over time.
Today, the JOOL Group includes a number of wholly or partly owned companies with combined sales in excess of SEK 1,5 billion and over 400 employees. Our roots may be in Småland, but our businesses are represented all over the world. We have achieved a lot in a short space of time, but our greatest joy is that the future lies ahead of us and most of the work still remains to be done. We grow, together.
Tom Olander
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JOOL Group CEO with 20 years of management experience from the financial sector, structuring of debt financings and active ownership within industrial entities.
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Holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Växjö University and a post graduate in Finance and Portfolio Theory from the Business School SAA in Turin, Italy.
- Holds board appointments in multiple companies within the JOOL Group, such as JOOL Invest AB and Lessebo Paper AB.
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Has been awarded “Best upcoming male entrepreneur” for the Eastern Swedish region and national finalist in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award program.
Best upcoming male entrepreneur – Tom Olander, JOOL Invest AB, Jury comments from EY,
“Through his distinct management approach, this entrepreneur successfully attracts and retains the competence required to achieve rapid growth and exceptional profitability. In a unique and flexible manner, the company has created significant business opportunities in a previously marginal market segment. Successfully operating completely different branches of business in a way that bring synergies to the entire JOOL group is very impressive.”
Göran Johansson
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Over 50 years of experience as entrepreneur in multiple industries.
- Has held board appointment in the local Swedbank unit.
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Holds board appointments in Bakers AB i Lessebo and multiple companies within the JOOL Group, such as JOOL Invest AB and Lessebo Paper AB.
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Nominee and national finalist for the Golden Gavel award, for outstanding work in the role as chairman.
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Our history in brief
Hubins surpasses 3 billion SEK of assets under management
JOODIN acquires PetRob:s Måleri and Hallins Måleriservice
ESS-ENN Timber’s edge-glued panel business is divested
Lessebo Paper launches Livonia Recycled, manufactured from recycled paper
JOOL Group becomes main partner to the Nordea Open tennis tournament
The financing operations are divested to Navigo Invest AB and re-launched under the brand Vinga
Lessebo Paper wins the Swedish Design Award for the campaign The Big Rollout
JOOL Group becomes the principal owner of Navigo Invest AB
ESS-ENN Timber edge-glued panels achieve Silver “Cradle to Cradle Certified®” accreditation
The JOOL Group becomes a partner to the World Childhood Foundation
Barkonsult becomes a new Group holding
JOOL signs LOI regarding acquisitions with Navigo Invest
Lessebo Paper is the first paper mill in the world to receive the environmental certification “Cradle to Cradle Certified®” at the Gold achievement level
JOODIN acquires Hjortsberga Måleri & Golv AB
A green bond of more than SEK 600 million to Advanced Soltech Sweden AB becomes JOOL’s largest financing to date
Hubins AB receives a licence from Sweden’s Financial Supervisory Authority to conduct insurance distribution
An independent study shows that Lessebo Paper‘s production generates 96 per cent lower carbon dioxide emissions than the industry average for corresponding paper production
The painting and flooring company JOODIN begins operations and acquires Golvgruppen i Växjö AB
Lessebo Paper celebrates 300 years of commercial paper production, the Swedish royal family visits Lessebo to participate in the celebrations
Fintech company Hubins AB starts operations
JOOL Invest invests in German Zanders Paper GmbH
The financing business passes SEK 10 billion in raised capital
JOOL joins the Climate Bonds Initiative organisation, promoting sustainable financing in the bond market
Tibro Sågverk AB is acquired
Göran Johansson becomes Swedish national finalist for the Golden Gavel award, for sterling work in the role of Chairman of the board
JOOL Capital Partner AB is awarded DI Gasell for the second year in a row
JOOL becomes part owner of the Norra Finans financial group
Tom Olander becomes national finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the year competition and is named Best upcoming male entrepreneur for Eastern Sweden
ESS-ENN Timber acquires Södra Wood in Rottne
Säkra Stockholm NoWa is acquired
The financing business passes SEK 5 billion in raised capital
JOOL Capital Partner AB is awarded DI Gasell
JOOL Invest acquires 25 percent of the Lessebo Paper mill, dating back to the 17th century
JOOL Invest invests in Medica Nord (now MedicaNatumin), which develops, manufactures and markets health and beauty products
The JOOL Group has revenues of more than SEK 250 million
JOOL invests in the financial consulting company Pecunia Asset Management Ltd
JOOL starts structuring corporate bonds
The financing business begins international expansion
The Group reports a net profit of SEK 5.5 million
JOOL Invest acquires the remaining shares in ESS-ENN Timber
The financing business JOOL Capital Partner AB is started and opens an office in Gothenburg
The JOOL Group has revenues of more than SEK 100 million
ESS-ENN Timber invests SEK 20 million in a new planing mill
ESS-ENN Timber undergoes substantial streamlining and cost savings
Göran Johansson and Tom Olander found the Group parent 2008 company JOOL Invest AB
JOOL Invest acquires a majority holding in the timber company ESS-ENN Timber
Hubins surpasses 3 billion SEK of assets under management
JOODIN acquires PetRob:s Måleri and Hallins Måleriservice
ESS-ENN Timber’s edge-glued panel business is divested
Lessebo Paper launches Livonia Recycled, manufactured from recycled paper
JOOL Group becomes main partner to the Nordea Open tennis tournament
The financing operations are divested to Navigo Invest AB and re-launched under the brand Vinga
Lessebo Paper wins the Swedish Design Award for the campaign The Big Rollout
JOOL Group becomes the principal owner of Navigo Invest AB
ESS-ENN Timber edge-glued panels achieve Silver “Cradle to Cradle Certified®” accreditation
The JOOL Group becomes a partner to the World Childhood Foundation
Barkonsult becomes a new Group holding
JOOL signs LOI regarding acquisitions with Pegroco Invest
Lessebo Paper is the first paper mill in the world to receive the environmental certification “Cradle to Cradle Certified” at the Gold achievement level
JOODIN acquires Hjortsberga Måleri & Golv AB
A green bond of more than SEK 600 million to Advanced Soltech Sweden AB becomes JOOL’s largest financing to date
Hubins AB receives a license from Sweden’s Financial Supervisory Authority to conduct insurance distribution
An independent study shows that Lessebo Paper‘s production generates 96 per cent lower carbon dioxide emissions than the industry average for corresponding paper production
Måleri- och golvbolaget JOODIN startar och förvärvar Golvgruppen
i Växjö AB.
Lessebo Paper celebrates 300 years of commercial paper production, the Swedish royal family visits Lessebo to participate in the celebrations
Fintech company Hubins AB starts operations
JOOL Invest invests in German Zanders Paper GmbH
The financing business passes SEK 10 billion in raised capital
JOOL joins the Climate Bonds Initiative organisation, promoting sustainable financing in the bond market
Tibro Sågverk AB is acquired
Göran Johansson becomes Swedish national finalist for the Golden Gavel award, for sterling work in the role of Chairman of the board
JOOL Capital Partner AB is awarded DI Gasell for the second year in a row
JOOL becomes part owner of the Norra Finans financial group
Tom Olander becomes national finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the year competition and is named Best upcoming male entrepreneur for Eastern Sweden
ESS-ENN Timber acquires Södra Wood in Rottne
Säkra Stockholm NoWa is acqired
The financing business passes SEK 5 billion in raised capital
JOOL Capital Partner AB is awarded DI Gasell
JOOL Invest acquires 25 percent of the Lessebo Paper mill, dating back to the 17th century
JOOL Invest invests in Medica Nord (now MedicaNatumin), which develops, manufactures and markets health and beauty products
The JOOL Group has revenues of more than SEK 250 million
JOOL invests in the financial consulting company Pecunia Asset Management Ltd
JOOL starts structuring corporate bonds
The financing business begins international expansion
The Group reports a net profit of SEK 5.5 million
JOOL Invest acquires the remaining shares in ESS-ENN Timber
The financing business JOOL Capital Partner AB is started and opens an office in Gothenburg
The JOOL Group has revenues of more than SEK 100 million
ESS-ENN Timber invests SEK 20 million in a new planing mill
ESS-ENN Timber undergoes substantial streamlining and cost savings
Göran Johansson and Tom Olander found the Group parent 2008 company JOOL Invest AB
JOOL Invest acquires a majority holding in the timber company ESS-ENN Timber
