How Did the Partnership Begin?

Conny’s journey with Hammarviken began in the early 2000s when his brother, Roger Karlsson, started working with Mats Rydhede, the founder of Hammarviken. At the time, Hammarviken wasn’t an established brand; rather, it was Mats himself who personified the company and was the name most people knew. When Roger was given a managerial role within Stavdal, one of Mats’s companies, he felt he needed support in his leadership. To get help with structure and organization, he turned to his brother Conny, who has always had a natural talent for order. When Stavdal needed to expand in Gothenburg in 2001, Roger suggested that Conny step in as manager, marking the start of a long and successful collaboration between Mats and Conny.

Together, they worked at Stavdal for ten years. Thanks to a working method that always aimed to take small, sustainable steps forward—a trait Conny believes characterizes Mats’s entrepreneurship as a whole—the company became a strong and profitable operation. With extensive experience in structure, logistics, and organization, Conny was well-suited to bring order to the processes. His strength wasn’t in specific technical knowledge about machinery or sales, but in his ability to create efficient workflows and keep the operations stable, which he describes as “maintaining order so that everything runs smoothly.”

When the Stavdal era ended for Conny in 2016, there was a clear sense of pride in what they had achieved together.

“In strongly entrepreneur-driven businesses, there’s always an extra need for structured colleagues. That’s what I saw in Conny from day one,” says Mats with a smile.

What Has Conny Done for Hammarviken?

After Stavdal, new challenges arose, and Conny contacted Mats to inquire about further exciting projects. This led to a new venture within Hällingsjö Hus, which Hammarviken had just acquired. There, Conny supported the company as an advisor and mentor, focusing on improving inventory management, clarifying financial flows, and coaching the company’s management. His ability to look beyond individual tasks and analyze the whole operation made him an invaluable asset to the project.

Over the years, Conny has held various roles within the Hammarviken Group. He has worked in subsidiaries as CEO, finance manager, and has been involved in both logistics and production. In companies like BESAB, he has been hired as a consultant, never hesitating to share his opinions and observations, always with the ambition to contribute to improvement and success. “I say what I see, neither better nor worse—just accurate information,” he describes his approach.

Who is Conny Outside of Work?

Beyond his professional career, Conny has always been a person with strong drive and energy. Growing up with sports, both football and bandy, he later transitioned to long-distance running and has completed several half-marathons. Nowadays, he’s into cycling, as his calves can no longer handle running, but exercise is still an important part of his life. “I have a good physical foundation that allows me to work hard and still feel energized when I get home,” he says with a smile.

When he’s not out training, he enjoys solving challenging problems, like Sudoku. He describes himself as persistent and analytical, traits that define his leisure time as well as his approach to professional challenges. “I like to pause and analyze before making an important decision,” he explains.

Conny also has a passion for travel and appreciates everything from castle visits and nature walks to exploring architectural works. He is generally interested in discussions, often with Mats and Sofia, Hammarviken’s CEO, about how future scenarios may impact Hammarviken’s business development.

New Projects and Challenges

Looking ahead, new and exciting assignments await Conny within the Hammarviken Group, where his broad experience and strategic thinking will once again be a valuable asset. Although the details of his future work cannot yet be disclosed, there’s no doubt that his contributions will continue to create value and drive both the companies and people forward.