Daniel Rislén and Ivan Harnesk in discussion about a detail in the fan.
Fläkten Systems, a newly established company, has successfully relocated a substantial fan factory from Poland to the Lilltjärn industrial area in Lycksele. This factory was originally part of the Fläkten Group, which moved production to Poland in 2020 during a restructuring.
The Polish operation focused on smaller residential units equipped with rotary heat exchangers and range hoods. However, their time in Poland proved brief.
– Fläkten Group no longer wished to invest in this particular segment, and we seized the opportunity to bring the production to Lycksele, states Ivan Harnesk, CEO of Fläkten Systems AB, a company founded in December 2024.
Fläkten Systems is primarily owned by two Lycksele-based companies: JM Indutech, specializing in occupational health products, and GD Vent, a manufacturer of ventilation ducts.
They were joined by several other business owners with expertise in ventilation, including Harnesk as a co-owner. Harnesk had previously provided consulting services to GD Vent through his company Breja AB, based in Norsjö and managed by his wife, Viktoria Lindberg Harnesk.
– While there were several other potential locations, we wanted the factory to be close to the owners, Harnesk explains.
The turnaround was rapid following the signing of the purchase agreement on December 30, 2024. By January 3, the newly formed company had already secured its initial order.
– We primarily sell our units to contractors who do work for their clients, Ivan explains.
The entire factory was transported using 14 trucks.
“There were several other options for the location, but we wanted the factory close to the owners,” says Ivan Harnesk.
– After two months, we were able to commence production. It was a round-the-clock effort. It must have been something of a record, Ivan remarks.
The 1,600 square meter premises now housing Fläkten previously accommodated Maxmoduler. Fläkten has since installed three assembly lines, with the first already operational.
– The premises are ideal for our needs, and we also have room for expansion here, he adds.
Residential units with rotating heat exchangers and range hoods are what Fläkten Systems manufactures.
Fläkten currently employs six individuals in assembly and the warehouse.
– I anticipate our team will grow to ten by the summer, says Ivan.
He began his professional journey at Edströms Trä in Gumboda before transitioning to Thorgrens Trä in Kvarnåsen. Through a skills enhancement program, Ivan furthered his qualifications and subsequently pursued studies in business economics at the Stockholm School of Economics in Umeå.
His initial role as an economist was with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) in Lycksele. Following that, Ivan worked in finance and sales at Grundnäs Kött. He served as the CFO at TM-Konsult in Lycksele from 2013 to 2021. Since then, Ivan has collaborated with his wife at Breja.
“It’s cool to be able to do something like this at 55 years old. I like what’s challenging and I’m a team player,” says Ivan Harnesk.
– It feels very inspiring to be working on the development of Fläkten Systems. It's amazing to be doing something like this at the age of 55. I enjoy what’s challenging, and I’m a team player.
He has also demonstrated his teamwork skills in sports. First as a football player for Åmliden and Norsjö, and later as one of the founders of the association NIDS - Norsjö Sports in Collaboration, which was established in 2011 and is set to close this year, 14 years later.
– Last year, I experienced an unexpected success when my team "Släkten är värst" won the amateur division in Norsjö Beach. But it was probably mostly thanks to my talented teammates, Ivan concludes with a hearty laugh.
Petronella Kroik Paulsson is one of six employees at Fläkten Systems.