Åkerlund
Strategic Concepts & Mechanics
Primary Evidence
"Åkerlund contacted Olsson who was eager to sell. Both Åkerlund and Olsson were in a hurry, which is why this deal was also quickly completed. Moreover, it was further expedited by Gustav Olsson using business methods during the negotiations that resembled Åkerlund’s own: he claimed that SLT also wanted to buy the company. The usually cool negotiator Erik Åkerlund, who immediately suspected that it could be Ruben behind it, was stressed by the information and decided to strike immediately. For 800,000 kronor, he now entered the sought-after packaging industry. As soon as the contract was signed, he sought out Ruben and concluded with satisfaction that he had beaten him to it. Ruben did not understand at all what he was referring to."
"But Åkerlund did not give up. He had become really interested in the packaging industry, but he was smart enough to realize that he needed someone with Ruben’s expertise and visions if the idea was to succeed. Moreover, he was impressed by his general sharpness."
"Among contemporary observers, it was said that “When the company was started, Rausing had the ideas and Åkerlund had the money. Now, Rausing has both the ideas and Åkerlund’s money.”"