XANO 2025 - With sustainability as a driving force

XANO is an industrial group with roots in Jönköping, Sweden. With 35 companies in ten countries and a strong foothold in the manufacturing industry, they are in the midst of an exciting transformation where sustainability, technology shift, and smart production go hand in hand. Marilyn Lindh is head of sustainability and part of the Group Management at XANO, coordinating the joint journey towards more sustainable business.

The vision: Long-term sustainable entities

XANO’s overarching vision is to be a market leader in sustainable business, making the most of the advantages of being many. This perspective permeates the strategy and business model of the entire Group.

– Our companies run their own operations and make their own decisions – that is something we truly believe in. It allows them to maintain their drive and focus. In parallel, we collaborate within the Group where it creates added value, such as sharing knowledge and resources, Marilyn explains.

The expertise and innovative power within the Group’s specialised technology and industrial companies are extensive. To optimise synergies, they are organised into three business units: Industrial Products, Industrial Solutions, and Precision Technology.

– In short, you could say that we work with ‘tricky stuff.’ Our companies often have cutting-edge expertise in narrow but crucial areas. Take KMV, for example – they are specialists in drilling, sometimes extremely long, precise holes in metal components. If we’re talking about 12–13 meter long tubes with very tight tolerances, that’s where you’ll find the right expertise.

Sustainability - in all its dimensions

For Marilyn, sustainability has many more dimensions and nuances than climate targets and carbon reports. In her role, she holds overall responsibility for sustainability across the entire XANO Group – a task she approaches from a broad, strategic perspective.

– We view sustainability from all its aspects: environmental, social, and business-related. Our strategy for XANO is about building a business model that lasts over time. That means making wise investments with solid returns, which we can then reinvest into sustainable materials, energy-efficient processes, and our employees.

Social sustainability is something XANO is increasingly highlighting, particularly in their ambition to be an attractive employer.

– For us, our employees are the most valuable asset – they are the key to a successful and sustainable business. That’s why it is crucial that we, at a strategic level, work long-term to ensure we provide engaging, developing, and inclusive workplaces across our Group.

Elmia Subcontractor - a meeting place that reflects the future

Several of XANO’s companies have for many years regularly exhibited at Elmia Subcontractor – in some cases since its launch in 1975. For Marilyn, the fair is an obvious meeting place, both from a business perspective and as an arena to reflect the Group’s values.

– I recently spoke with one of our business unit managers who had kept evaluations from the fair all the way back to the late 70s. That says something about how important this fair has been – and still is – for our companies.

XANO always participates with a strategic selection of companies – often those with overlapping customer segments – which creates synergies and business value.

– We try to see the fair from the visitor’s perspective. What do our customers want? Which companies are most relevant here? And how can we coordinate meetings to make it simple, efficient, and valuable for everyone involved?

But Elmia Subcontractor is also a place where sustainability can take centre stage – something Marilyn feels is a perfect match for XANO.

– We’ve noticed that the fair in recent years has had a clearer sustainability focus, which is completely in line with where we are and where we’re heading. It’s not just about future visions – it’s about doing business here and now, but with a long-term direction.