The Consumer Brands division will be dissolved into the Husqvarna and Gardena divisions.
Husqvarna Group will further increase focus and efforts on its future premium product and service offerings under the core brands of Husqvarna and Gardena while decisive steps are taken to resolve the underperforming Consumer Brands Division. The presence in certain consumer segments will be exited.
Husqvarna Group will gradually exit from low price point product segments and brands, particularly in petrol powered walk-behind lawnmowers and garden tractors. The extent of the exits and associated adjustments to the manufacturing footprint and brand portfolio are being reviewed. The changes will be realized in two steps, as customer commitments for the 2019 season will be honoured. The second step for 2020 is being reviewed. The net sales impact for 2019 is close to SEK 2 billion but will have a favourable impact on the Group’s operating margin.
Husqvarna Group will focus their remaining consumer forest and garden operations in North America to areas where they have proven to bring customer value, such as in handheld products, premium garden tractors, zero-turn lawnmowers and particularly robotic lawnmowers. The reorganization will facilitate reallocation of resources towards the offerings that have greatest potential for growth and profitability. Exiting non-core segments and brands is a step to reduce complexity in the Group which will enable them to put even stronger focus on high margin business in Husqvarna and Gardena.
The North American operations of the Consumer Brands Division will be folded into the Husqvarna Division and the European and Asian operations will fold into the Gardena Division. Such changes will start immediately and will be fully implemented by year-end. Accordingly, the external financial segment reporting will be changed as of January 1, 2019.
Additional information and details on the outcome of the review, including onetime items that will impact both income statement and cash flow for 2018, are expected to be communicated latest at the Group’s interim report for the third quarter 2018 on October 20. The Construction division is not affected by the changes. Source