A festive 50th anniversary in digital format
New ways of thinking and problem solving is something that FVB’s staff is used to. That was also what was required when the company celebrated its 50th anniversary – in the middle of a pandemic.
“We had booked a trip to Bruges for the entire staff to celebrate FVB’s 50th anniversary, but with the corona pandemic, we had to rethink that. The solution was an untraditional but festive celebration,” says Ulrika Petersson at FVB, who was the coordinator for the anniversary.
FVB’s journey started 50 years ago when Birger Abrahamson founded FVB in Västerås. It was also in Västerås that the 50th anniversary took place in September. The company’s CEO Leif Breitholtz, Deputy CEO Per Skoglund, Anna Larsson (group manager), and Ulrika Petersson were on site at Aros Congress Center, along with moderator Janne Bylund. The audience, which is to say the staff at FVB, participated via Zoom. Everyone was ready to toast!
“We sent out glasses, champagne, and chocolate to the entire staff. We also made it clear that they were participating in an anniversary celebration, not a conference. Some had dressed up and had balloons and streamers in place,” says Ulrika Petersson.
The day was filled with competitions, videos, customer interviews, entertainment, and even mingling – albeit digitally. But of course, we also presented the company’s journey since 1970 as well as important milestones. So that no one would forget which decade the company started in, both Leif Breitholtz and Per Skoglund came out on stage dressed in period garb with long sideburns.
“FVB has had a very exciting and successful journey over the 50 years we have been in business. That we could both see and hear old FVBers talk about important events over the 50-year journey with the help of digital tools reinforced the impressions in a positive way,” says Leif Breitholtz.
He emphasized the employees’ commitment and high competence as important success factors, but also that the company is employee-owned. Some of the staff got special mentions during the celebration.
“Every year, we award prizes to Employees of the Year and it was extra fun that during this anniversary we were able to award this prize to no fewer than five fantastic employees,” says Leif Breitholtz.
Important events over the years
1970
FVB (Fjärrvärmebyrån) is founded.
1980
Office established in the US.
1983
FVB designs the first modern hot water system in the US in St. Paul, Minnesota.
1989
Office in Stockholm opens.
1991
FVB becomes employee-owned.
FVB conducts the first cooling study that establishes the Swedish district cooling market.
1992
Subsidiary established in Edmonton, Canada.
1995
Office in Borås opens. Strong investment in research and analysis.
An office also opens in Nyköping.
1998
Office in Toronto opens.
1999
FVB contributes to an adjunct professorship in district heating system technology at Chalmers University.
2000
Expansion in Linköping through the acquisition of TD Tech AB.
2002
Office in Gävle opens.
2003
FVB Fjärrvärmebyrån changes its name to FVB Sverige AB.
2005
Expansion in Sundsvall through the acquisition of Rega Energiplanering AB.
2007
Office in Bahrain established.
2008
Continued expansion in Nyköping through the acquisition of ZW Energiteknik AB.
2009
Office in Vancouver opens.
2011
Office in Örebro opens.
2012
Office in Gothenburg opens.
2013
Office in Ottawa opens.
2016
Companies in the UK established.
2018
Offices in Malmö and Reading open.
2020
FVB turns 50 years old.
