Saab made a profit of almost 2 billion kronor during the fourth quarter of 2024, half a billion more than the same period the previous year. In the year-end report presented at the beginning of February, the company also announced its long-term plan to grow by 18 percent per year. And the profit is expected to increase even more.
On the way to achieving the growth target, a number of potential obstacles must be addressed - including the challenge of recruiting competence that can enable expansion.
Stepping up
Micael Johansson says that this is something they have managed very well so far, but he also sees that it may become more difficult in the coming years.
We have recruited a net 5,000 people over two years. We get very skilled people, so it has not been a limiting factor. But if we are going to grow even more, it will be in competition with others in our industry, and then it can become a challenge.
He does not believe that the high recruitment rate of recent years can be maintained going forward.
I have previously said that we will not be able to grow at the same rate in the coming years. But we can certainly grow by 1,000 people net in 2025. We are stepping up as much as we need to be able to keep up with our deliveries, says Micael Johansson.
Reducing vulnerability
Another factor, which not only Saab but the entire growing defense industry has to relate to, is the availability of materials needed for production. And Saab is trying to address this by reducing vulnerability in the supply chains.
It is clear that the entire ecosystem of subcontractors and partners must keep up. There are sensitive areas where we would need to have alternative suppliers, and we are working on finding new suppliers and regionalizing to avoid being dependent on global supply chains, says Micael Johansson.
