Christer Segerstéen was a major at I4 in Linköping but left to become the sixth generation to run the family estate Hamra in Östergötland. There, he was a self-employed forest owner and involved in Södra as the chairman of the forestry zone. In 1991, Christer was elected as an alternate in Södra's board, and a couple of years later, he became vice chairman. In 2010, he took over the chair.
Södra's Two Histories
– When it's an anniversary now, it's important to remember that Södra actually has two histories—before and after the crisis," says Christer. Gösta Edström did a fantastic job going back, but the profits that Södra generates today, we have other people and decisions to thank, like Lars-Eric Åström, who did a huge job buying out the state as a co-owner after the crisis.
Christer also sees the board decision from 1992, to invest in chemical pulp alongside sawmills, as a milestone. – Back then, some in the industry thought we were crazy. But that decision is the key to today's success.
Environmental Interest from Home
Christer brought an interest in the environment with him from home in Hamra. One of the first issues he successfully raised in the board was the idea that each forestry zone should have a nature conservation representative to engage in environmental issues.
– We had a rather polarized forestry debate in the mid-1990s," Christer says. I was tasked with making peace with the environmental movement and put a lot of effort into it. Södra started working with forest certification, decided on voluntary set-asides of up to 5% of productive forest land, and allocated 50 million SEK for green forestry plans. This resulted in calm and a good dialogue with environmental organizations.
Tough Decision
A decision from Christer's own time as chairman was the replacement of the CEO in 2012.
– It was tough but necessary, as Södra was going to make a loss of 919 million SEK that year. When the Acting CEO was in place, we reviewed the company, reduced the number of employees by 10%, and started with the head office, where 14% had to leave. As we were simultaneously exiting Norway, we made significant cost cuts and could begin building an orderly economy again.
Toward the end of Christer's chairmanship, there was a decision to increase production in Värö.
– The current strategy, for Södra to continue investing in chemical pulp and also grow as a company, was among the last things I participated in implementing.
In 2015, Christer left the board. Today, he dedicates himself to family, work on his own estate, and engagement in municipal politics in Kinda Municipality.