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The people

Södra's history is not just about the forest. The story is about the commitment of the individual forest owners, whose passion and dedication have helped shape a sustainable and successful association. Over the years, members have worked together to develop innovative methods and sustainable solutions that benefit not only themselves but also future generations.

Medlem och skogsinspektor 1977.

Gösta Edström

Gösta Edström – Inspirator and Industrial Builder

Gösta Edström was the driving force behind the association's development into an industrial group. He is described as a fascinating and creative man.

Hos Södras medlemmar har intresset för inovationer alltid varit högt. Här genomförs en visning av den första motorsågen för enmansbruk.

Södra - the best bank

Ingvar Svensson, a member since 1962, shares memories from his farm in Lövshult. "I am an ordinary person who got to influence during a turbulent time," he says.

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The youngest member who became honorary chairman

In 1979, 33-year-old Lars-Eric Åström was elected as the youngest member ever of Södra's board. When he left in 2010, after 18 years as chairman and a total of 31 years on the board, he was appointed Honorary Chairman.

Anna-Lisa Wilhelmsson på omslaget av Södra kontakt nr 1 86, beskuren bild (se 080).

Woman and forest owner

Today, more than a third of Sweden's forest owners are women, and forest owners are the largest category of female entrepreneurs in the country. But it hasn't always been this way.

Carl Fornling in front of a group of forest owners

The job as a forestry inspector

The work of a forestry inspector has involved spreading knowledge about both forest management and nature conservation considerations. Since October 2024, inspectors are called advisors.

Historiska bilder, Södras historia, Cecilia Rooth

Cecila Root – increased safety thinking

Cecilia conducted the first study circle for chainsaw licenses organized by Södra. 10 women from the female network Grenverket participated.

Södrahistorien - Christer Segerstéen

24 years on Södra's board -Christer Segerstéen

Christer Segerstéen helped introduce environmental issues to Södra's boardroom. During his tenure as chairman, decisions were made about the recently completed expansion of the pulp mill in Värö.

CEOs and chairmen

Södra has had many chairpersons and CEOs over the years. Founder Gösta Edström was both CEO and later chairman for several years. Below you can read about all of Södra's CEOs and chairpersons since we were founded in 1938.

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Contact us

Södra is Sweden’s largest forest owners’ association and an international forest industry group, where the operations refine the members’ forest raw material.

Forestry and members

Contact us

Visiting address: Gösta Edströms väg 6, 352 51 Växjö, Sweden
Postal address: SE-351 89 Växjö

Phone: +46 470 890 00
Email: info@sodra.com

Södra is Sweden’s largest forest owners’ association and an international forest industry group, where the operations refine the members’ forest raw material.

@ Södra skogsägarna 2025
@ Södra skogsägarna 2025