ESBE AB IS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR IN GISLAVED 2026
2026-03-16
Last Friday was a memorable evening during the Gislaved Business Gala, where ESBE had the honor of receiving the "Entrepreneur of the Year in Gislaved Municipality 2026" award. Receiving this recognition during our 120th anniversary is a fantastic milestone for us all. The award celebrates a company that combines long-term family tradition with a genuine heart for both staff and the community.
The Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 Award in Gislaved Municipality
The Entrepreneur of the Year award goes to entrepreneurs who run companies in a profitable and sustainable way, while the jury also considers their contribution to societal development.
The jury's citation highlights how family ownership over generations has created a stable foundation, where the owners' personal commitment has been decisive for the company's long-term success. The citation particularly emphasizes the leadership's ability to see every individual:
“The company has been family-owned for generations and is run with a strong personal commitment where the owners' influence has been crucial for its long-term development. In 2026, the business celebrates 120 years. Leadership is characterized by genuine care and a strong heart for the staff, where people are given the opportunity to grow, develop, and feel seen. Through active community engagement, the company contributes to better conditions and a good living environment for local residents. With a clear environmental focus and long-term responsibility for both people and buildings, the company demonstrates sustainable, stable, and forward-looking entrepreneurship.”
A shared responsibility
For the Skogsfors family and ESBE, it is clear - that success rests on more than just numbers. It is a holistic view of responsibility that extends far beyond the core of the business. The focus has always been on building long-term stability where people, environment, and business go hand in hand. Greetings from the family:
- It is very gratifying for us in the owning family, who own 80% of the company, to receive this award. For over 40 years, we have offered the remaining 20% ownership to employees and retirees to become partners, and to date, this has grown to as many as 120 people, out of a total of about 200 employees. Therefore, we also want to pass on this recognition to all our staff who have assisted us throughout the years in building the company.
We congratulate the Skogsfors family and ESBE on a well-deserved win and look forward to the anniversary year. CEO Peter Cerny, who was present at the gala to accept the award on behalf of the Skogsfors family, says:
- It was an honor to be entrusted to represent the owners at the Gislaved Business Gala and accept the award as Company of the Year in Gislaved Municipality. Imagine if the company founder, Johan August Skogsfors, who founded ESBE in 1906, had the opportunity to attend the ceremony!
About Entrepreneur of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year (Årets Företagare) is one of Sweden's premier awards for entrepreneurs and is presented at local, regional, and national levels. The purpose is to highlight the entrepreneurs who drive development forward through their entrepreneurship. As the local winner in Gislaved, ESBE now moves forward in the competition, where a total of 21 regional finalists will compete for the national title.
Thanks to the Gislaveds Näringslivsgala and Företagarna for the confidence – now the journey continues for us!
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