STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 23, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Staffan Ahlberg has informed IBS' Board of Directors that he wishes to step down as CEO, a position he has held for nearly 25 years. The Board of Directors has per 1 October, 2002, appointed the Group's Vice President, Magnus Wastenson, as new CEO.
Magnus Wastenson, born 1948, joined IBS in 1983, as MD for IBS Stockholm AB. In 1987, he took on the position as MD for IBS Sweden, to become VP Global Marketing in 1994. He has also been responsible for IBS' operations in Germany and the U.K.. Before joining IBS, he worked with Sandvik AB, and as a management consultant.
In 1975, Staffan Ahlberg and Gunnar Rylander founded the company's operations, and in 1978, when IBS was established as a separate company, Staffan Ahlberg became the first CEO. He has held that position since then, leading the Group through different phases of development.
IBS rapidly became one of Sweden's first truly global knowledge-based companies, in its role as leading provider of high-quality business software solutions. The Group has approximately 2,200 employees in 22 countries, and an annual revenue amounting to more than SEK 2.6bn. The IBS share was listed at the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1986. Staffan Ahlberg is thus the CEO who has held his seat the longest among his peers in the Swedish listed companies. At the present time, the company is valued at SEK 1.2bn.
"Establishing and developing IBS has been a very stimulating task," said Staffan Ahlberg. "But there is a time and place for everything, and with an accelerating market around the corner, as well as the positive financial development of the IBS Group, this is a good time for passing on the responsibility to Magnus Wastenson. I look forward to contributing to IBS in a new and freer role as Member of the Board and full-time consultant, as well as being able to support other companies in their internationalisation process."
"I am very happy that the Board can now welcome Magnus Wastenson in his new position as CEO of the IBS Group. He knows the industry and he knows the company, and he also has extensive and succesful experience from various management positions," said Gunnar Rylander, Chairman of the Board.
"We are going to focus on increasing profitability by improving sales efficiency and professional services utilisiation, while continuing to keep a close eye on costs," said Magnus Wastenson. "We will continue to build on our strong position within supply chain management, on strategic alliances and on helping our customers to make more money by using our solutions. We have market-leading software, competent staff and a stable financial position. These are important competitive factors for the future."
Gustaf Lindgren is appointed new VP Global Marketing, succeeding Magnus Wastenson as of 1 September, 2002. Gustaf Lindgren, born in 1953, is at present Manpower's CIO for the Nordic region, and has previously held the position of head of marketing and development in Sweden. Earlier on in his career, he has worked as a management consultant in the USA, and also held diffferent positions within IBS.
For more information, please contact: Gunnar Rylander, Chairman., IBS Tel: +46 (0)8 463 33 03 gunnar.rylander@catella.se Staffan Ahlberg, CEO, IBS Tel: +46 (0)8 627 2420 Mobile: +46 (0)70 627 2420 staffan.ahlberg@ibs.se Magnus Wastenson, VP Global Marketing, IBS Tel: +46 (0)8 627 2515 Mobile: +46 (0)70 627 2515 magnus.wastenson@ibs.se
About IBS
IBS, International Business Systems, is a leading provider of business software for supply chain execution, financials and business intelligence, and customer relations management, primarily for distributors and demand-driven manufacturing companies. IBS' primary focus is mid-sized and large wholesale distributors as well as sales and manufacturing companies in international groups, especially in pharmaceuticals, electronic parts and equipment, automotive parts and supplies, machinery, industrial supplies and consumer durables. IBS is recognised by AMR Research as a leading supplier of supply chain execution software and services. IBS has some 5,000 customers, among them many leading companies like Volvo, Miele, Nautor Swan, Galexis, Ciba Vision, Maxell, ABB, Expert, Cartier and Lear Corporation. The IBS Group has revenues of $260m, approximately 2,200 employees and permanent operations in 22 countries. For more information, please visit www.ibs.se
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