Willo moves to the next level!

Marcus Johansson’s seven years as CEO of Swedish Willo – which provides leading industries throughout the world with small, high-quality precision parts – have been one long growth journey. Now the company is moving to the next level, to ensure it can meet growing demand from both existing and new customers. The factory in Växjö is being expanded.

“Interest in Willo is growing all the time, especially now when external factors in the world, such as the war in Ukraine, are creating a major sense of uncertainty and insecurity. At such times, more customers want to buy precision parts that are produced closer to home, to reduce their exposure and vulnerability to external factors.”

“To enable production of the volumes required by our customers, both today and tomorrow, we must increase our capacity. Simply put, we need more space in order to be able to grow over time.”

Apart from the automotive industry, Willo is the largest operator in Sweden when it comes to metal cutting. The production facility in Växjö consists of an advanced machine park with all the latest technology required to meet the stringent requirements imposed on precision, cleanliness, automation and innovation in Willo’s four segments: MedTech, Industry, Energy and MoldTech.

The factory expansion – which is expected to be completed by the summer – means that the production area will amount to just over 6,500 m², an increase of almost 1,200 m². At the same time, the oldest parts of the factory are also being updated. The aim is to create the same experience regardless of where you are in the facility, with a design touch of the historical Swedish province of Småland, a lot of light and glulam beams in the ceiling.

“Naturally, our staff are an incredibly important part of our plans for the future, and it is therefore crucial to provide them with a pleasant, safe and secure work environment. This is also something that our customers can see and feel.”

The name Willo has become synonymous with a high level of technical ability and expertise, and the company wants to have staff who are inspired and motivated by complexity.Willo’s latest initiatives are therefore aimed at both utilising and building on the expertise that already exists within the company, and attracting the best new talent available, to ensure the company maintains its position at the cutting edge of developments.

Together with Montico, Willo has started a CNC training course that is tailored to the company’s business, with the hope of securing future recruitment needs.   Willo also collaborates with the industrial programme at Växjö’s schools and Epic – Innovation & Technology Center, the aim of which is to work together with others to secure the long-term supply of skills in the industry.

“For us, it is also important to know that all these investments and initiatives show how much we believe in Swedish industry, which in many respects is at the forefront of developments.”

“We see ourselves as part of a larger movement where we can inspire others and instil the courage to move to the next level”, Marcus Johansson concludes.