Just before the summer, it was announced that Erik Haara will replace David Johnsson as the new CEO of TMF. On 23 September, he will have his first day at his new job on the same day as Industry Day 2024 is held, this year in the newly built wooden temple World of Volvo in Gothenburg. The Industry Day is organized by the Swedish Industry Council, which includes TMF, and is an initiative from the parties that negotiate the industrial agreement to develop Swedish industry.
'It will be exciting to listen to how companies and organizations in the industry view the situation. Initially, I see it as most important to meet the member companies and employees at the office and familiarize myself with all current issues. It feels important to get a picture of what should be prioritized in order to then be able to set a roadmap,' says Erik Haara.
He steps on board as CEO in the middle of a tough time for Sweden's unifying wood and furniture industry. The ongoing construction crisis has led to cutbacks and in many cases even to redundancies. From the EU side, several directives and regulations come that affect TMF's member companies in different ways when they are implemented in Swedish legislation.
'Part of it is that we as an organization must be available and support companies here and now, while at the same time we must constantly work long-term to get politicians to understand what is required so that they are better equipped when recessions come. Because it will come again and then tools are needed that take time to put in place, tools that did not exist during the 90s crisis or now. That is one of the many questions I look forward to addressing,' explains Erik Haara.
Earlier in his career, he worked as a political expert at the Ministry of Rural Affairs with a focus on forestry and rural issues. After that, the door to the Swedish business sphere was opened when the Glass Industry Association was looking for negotiators. After several years as head of negotiations, Erik Haara became CEO of the Swedish Glass Industry Association, where he stayed for over eleven years.
'I have been able to follow TMF from the side for many years and know that it is a fine organization and I look forward to managing what works very well, but also to developing the work together with the member companies and the team at the office. For me, it is important that the members feel that they are included and involved in the organization. I believe very much in building a team, and hope that our members will continue to feel that TMF takes responsibility and engages in the industry's most prioritized issues.'
At the same time as Erik Haara takes office, unions and employers are facing an upcoming collective bargaining round. Erik Haara is the new CEO of an organization in industry, the sector that sets the mark, the benchmark that other industries use as a starting point in their contract negotiations.
'I believe in the Swedish model and am convinced that the parties will continue to be best suited to handle it, and we have a long tradition of taking that responsibility together. So I'm looking forward to getting to know new people, both on the union side and colleagues in the industry,' says Erik Haara.
More information:
TMF
www.tmf.se