50 Enterprise Ireland Clients Embark on Trade Mission to Sweden as Exports to Sweden Reach €1bn for the First Time

• The Nordic Region is the fastest growing export region for Enterprise Ireland client companies
• Kirby Group celebrates a major milestone of 700 employees in Sweden, Strata strengthens Nordic presence with new office opening in Sweden, Irish beauty brand The Smooth Company announces ofcial partnership with H&M Beauty

50 Enterprise Ireland client companies are participating in a trade mission to Sweden this week, led by Minister of State for Small Business and Retail & Circular Economy, Alan Dillon T.D.   The trade mission aims to support Irish exporters in scaling internationally and diversifying into new markets, with a focus on strengthening business ties between Ireland, Sweden, and the broader Nordic region. Participating companies include Kirby Group, Strata, Fenergo, Silverback, Cocoa Brown, Winthrop Technologies, Tines, LearnUpon and The Smooth Company.

The Nordic region is Enterprise Ireland’s fastest growing export region, with client exports reaching €2.1bn in 2024, up 24% on 2023. Sweden is now the sixth largest export market globally for Enterprise Ireland supported companies, with client exports to Sweden surpassing €1bn for the first time in 2024, underscoring the growing strategic importance of the Swedish market for Irish business.

The trade mission will include a business breakfast event for over 60 Swedish and Irish delegates, with opening remarks from Marcus Wallenberg, Chair of the Board of Wallenberg Investments and one of the most influential Swedish businessmen, as well as an address from Minister Alan Dillon and Business Sweden. Enterprise Ireland will also host roundtables with key Swedish and Irish businesses on topics including the renewable energy transition, regulation in banking, high tech construction and talent tech.

“This trade mission to Sweden marks the Irish Government’s commitment to expanding its engagement within the European Single Market. In line with the Governments Market Diversification Strategy, this first government-led mission to an EU country this year reflects Ireland’s strategic commitment to expanding its presence across Europe. Sweden’s dynamic economy and innovation-driven industries align closely with the strengths of Irish exporters, particularly in technology, engineering, and sustainability. As like-minded EU partners, Ireland and Sweden share a strong commitment to open trade, collaborative innovation, and sustainable growth. This mission will deepen those ties, foster new partnerships, and accelerate mutual export success” stated Alan Dillon, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, who is leading the trade mission.

Joe Healy, Head of Global Markets, Enterprise Ireland said: “Sweden and the wider Nordic region present significant opportunities for export growth, particularly in high-tech construction, advanced engineering, sustainability, and digital transformation. In today’s evolving global trading environment, helping Irish companies to scale internationally and diversify their markets is more critical than ever. Irish expertise is in strong demand across Sweden and the Nordics, driving continued export growth and there remains substantial untapped potential to build on.”

Aligned with the trade mission, several Enterprise Ireland client companies are marking major milestones and continued success in the region, including: 

• Kirby Group has reached the milestone of 700 employees in Sweden, with projects across Stackbo, Ersbo, Katrineholm, Västerås and Stockholm. The company opened an office in Gävle in 2021 and works with over 200 Swedish companies who provide services and supplies to Kirby sites.
   
• Strata, specialists in construction scheduling, project management and digital construction services are announcing the opening of an office in Sweden with a plan to hire over 20 engineers and construction professionals in the coming 2-3 years. The company is currently involved in infrastructure projects across Sweden, including the Stockholm Metro and projects across the energy, wastewater and hyperscale data center sectors.  
   
• The Smooth Company,  known for its viral haircare product Smooth Stick, today announced its official partnership with H&M Beauty in Sweden, marking the launch of its products in the Swedish market this September. It is the first Irish brand to debut within H&M Beauty in Sweden.
  
  Cocoa Brown by Marissa Carter has become a standout success in Sweden since its launch in 2013, selling over 3 million units. The brand’s widespread availability spans 15+ major retailers, including grocery chains (ICA, Coop, Hemköp, Willys, City Gross), pharmacies (Apotea, Kronans Apotek, Apohem, Meds), discount stores (Dollarstore, ÖoB), and beauty platforms (Lyko, Åhléns Outlet). Cocoa Brown have just signed a 3-year agreement to supply Viking Line, the operator of cruises across Finland, Sweden, the Åland Islands, and Estonia, with Cocoa Brown Tan.

Other companies who have experienced great success in the market, include:

• SilverBack, a technical recruitment business, has been operating in Sweden since 2012, is now recognised as a strategic resource and talent partner to many of the largest industry names in Sweden, particularly in high-tech construction.
   
• Suir first entered the Swedish market in 2018, securing a project with a datacentre client. This opportunity served as a foundation for expanding Suir’s presence across the Nordic Region. In 2021, Suir established their office in Stockholm, which now functions as a regional hub, supporting and driving the growth of their operations throughout the Nordics.
   
• Fexillon commenced its first Data Centre in Sweden in 2019 and established its Office in Gävle in 2020, since then the company' Buildings Data Management platform has supported the knowledge transfer of Multiple Data Center Builds from Construction to Operations for multiple Microsoft sites in Sweden.
   
• MAYA Data Privacy, specialists in digital supply chain solutions and SAP implementation,  has partnered,   with Swedish IT and ERP consulting firm erpOI AB to enter the Swedish and Nordic markets, expanding its footprint in this strategically vital region.

Over 560 Enterprise Ireland supported companies exporting to the Nordics, of which just over 340 companies export to Sweden. To support Irish exporters to enter and expand in the region, Enterprise Ireland has two offices  - Stockholm and Copenhagen. The Swedish office celebrated its 25^th anniversary in 2023 and the Copenhagen office was opened in 2019. 

ENDS

For reference, please contact

Louise Cunningham - louise.cunningham@enterprise-ireland.com