Foreign firms choose Malmö over Stockholm
Major international companies like Subaru and Britax are turning their backs on Stockholm and instead setting up shop in Malmö with the southern city proving to be more attractive for many companies than the Swedish capital.
Information released by Malmö city and local newspaper Sydsvenskan revealed that in the past year alone a total of 13 major companies have set up their headquarters in Sweden's third largest city.
"Stockholm is a very nice city but as we cover six different countries from our Swedish office it isn't ideal. Malmö is the best place to be logistically," Thomas Possling, a spokesman for Subaru Sweden, told The Local.
The Japanese car manufacturer previously had their head office in Helsingborg and and have since switched the port where they import vehicles from Gothenburg to Malmö.
Britax, a UK manufacturer of child car seats, moved their offices from Stockholm to Malmö after buying up Swedish stroller brand Brio.
The opening of the Öresund bridge, which links Sweden with Denmark, and the cost of living are among the factors for companies choosing Malmö over Stockholm.
"For international companies the connections with the rest of Europe make it easier for them," Agneta Möller, deputy manager of trade and industry for the city of Malmö, told The Local.
"In some cases it is a little bit cheaper to buy office space and another factor is that it is less expensive to buy property compared to Stockholm," she added.
Possling of Subaru Sweden said that Malmö is a "very friendly community for the business sector" and that his company has cut down its carbon footprint since moving there.
"We've cut our road transportation in half as now most of the cars go by boat. Being in Malmö is ideal particularly as we now have the warehouse for spare parts in the same building where our head office is.
"It's only 20 minutes to the domestic airport (Malmö) and 25 minutes to an international airport (Copenhagen) so when you are responsible for Sweden, Finland, Denmark and all the Baltic states then these thing really matter," he added.
Möller from the city's trade office expected Malmö's positive business climate to continue, with more firms expected to relocate down south in future.
Patrick Reilly
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Information released by Malmö city and local newspaper Sydsvenskan revealed that in the past year alone a total of 13 major companies have set up their headquarters in Sweden's third largest city.
"Stockholm is a very nice city but as we cover six different countries from our Swedish office it isn't ideal. Malmö is the best place to be logistically," Thomas Possling, a spokesman for Subaru Sweden, told The Local.
The Japanese car manufacturer previously had their head office in Helsingborg and and have since switched the port where they import vehicles from Gothenburg to Malmö.
Britax, a UK manufacturer of child car seats, moved their offices from Stockholm to Malmö after buying up Swedish stroller brand Brio.
The opening of the Öresund bridge, which links Sweden with Denmark, and the cost of living are among the factors for companies choosing Malmö over Stockholm.
"For international companies the connections with the rest of Europe make it easier for them," Agneta Möller, deputy manager of trade and industry for the city of Malmö, told The Local.
"In some cases it is a little bit cheaper to buy office space and another factor is that it is less expensive to buy property compared to Stockholm," she added.
Possling of Subaru Sweden said that Malmö is a "very friendly community for the business sector" and that his company has cut down its carbon footprint since moving there.
"We've cut our road transportation in half as now most of the cars go by boat. Being in Malmö is ideal particularly as we now have the warehouse for spare parts in the same building where our head office is.
"It's only 20 minutes to the domestic airport (Malmö) and 25 minutes to an international airport (Copenhagen) so when you are responsible for Sweden, Finland, Denmark and all the Baltic states then these thing really matter," he added.
Möller from the city's trade office expected Malmö's positive business climate to continue, with more firms expected to relocate down south in future.
Patrick Reilly
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