At the turn of the year 2025/2026, the family-owned corporate group Polykemi Group will undergo its next generational shift. It will be time for the third generation to step into top leadership roles. The current CEO, Ola Hugoson, and Deputy CEO, Lars Hugoson, sons of the founder Hugo Jönsson, will both remain involved in the group but will pass on their titles and areas of responsibility to their children. This decision is based on a shared vision of how Polykemi Group should continue to operate as a family business in relation to employees, customers, and suppliers.
New roles
With the generational shift comes some organizational changes. Ola Hugoson and Lars Hugosson will take on roles as Senior Advisors. Oscar Hugoson will step up as the Global CEO for Polykemi Group, Herman Hugosson will become the CEO of Polykemi AB, and Gustav Hugoson will take on the role of Deputy CEO for Polykemi Group. Johan Hugoson will continue in his role as CEO of Polykemi Inc. in the USA, and Vendela Hugosson will stay in her role as a Procurement Assistant.
“All the changes that will occur are made with full consensus. The entire family agrees that the best interest of Polykemi Group comes first. We want the companies to continue growing healthily and in the direction we intend; therefore, we have made a joint decision to continue running the group in the same ownership form and spirit as our parents have done so far,” says Oscar Hugoson.
The change is a natural step for a family-owned group like Polykemi Group.
“28 years ago, Hugo trusted Lars and me to take over the leadership of Polykemi. Today, it’s our turn to pass that trust - with pride - on to our children. They will step in, but Lars and I will remain as senior advisors. The future will continue to be a collaboration - with some new people and new energy, but always with the company’s and the group’s best interests in mind,” says Ola Hugoson.
Third generation's ambition
Polykemi began as a family business in 1968. What started as one company is now a whole corporate group, and the ambition to continue as an independent family business remains.
“Our goal is to one day pass on Polykemi Group in at least as good condition as it is in today when time comes for the next generational shift in the future. We also have the ambition to continue growing, which is one reason we decided to split Ola's existing role into two, to allow for expansion,” says Herman Hugosson.
A joint decision
The transition to the third generation is a decision that has evolved through a process that began six years ago.
“We have received a lot of help from consultants from the Family Business Network and have really allowed the process to take the time it needed. We have been forced to have discussions we might not have otherwise had, and it has been incredibly beneficial. The purpose was always to find a plan for the future, and now we have found a good plan that everyone believes in and is comfortable with,” says Oscar Hugoson.
Gustav Hugoson adds: “It has been a team effort from the start, which has resulted in our continued development as a team. I can look back peacefully on a very fine process where the whole family has come closer together both personally and professionally by mapping out our individual strengths and goals. The process we have gone through will give us great advantages in our work going forward.”
