About Flügger / Facts & History of Flügger
Facts about Flügger group A/S
Company overview
Based in the Nordic region, Flügger group operates on an international scale. With an annual turnover of approximately DKK 2,200 million, it is listed on the stock exchange and employs around 1,600 people.
Founded in 1783, Flügger began as a family-owned business. Today, although publicly listed, the Schnack family remains the primary owner. In 1970, Ulf Schnack took over management from his father, while Sune Schnack has served as CEO since 1 April 2021.
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Product range and distribution
Flügger designs and markets a wide range of professional‑grade decorative paints, wood preservatives, spackling pastes, wallpapers, and painting tools. Moreover, we distribute these products through our retail chain, Flügger Farver, which operates 229 company‑owned stores across the Nordic countries, Eastern Europe, and China.
Market leadership in Denmark
The company is the market leader in Denmark. In addition to our flagship products, the Unicell Nordic sales unit supplies complementary items to grocery and home improvement stores. Moreover, Flügger owns and operates the wholesale chain PP professional paint in Denmark. In 2019, Detale CPH ApS also joined the Flügger family.
Strategic acquisition in Poland
In November 2019, Flügger acquired 60 % of Unicell Poland Sp. z o. o., a paint manufacturer based in Wasilków, Poland. Most of Unicell’s products are sold to distributors, home improvement chains, and other retailers. Currently, Unicell employs about 200 people and generates an annual turnover of approximately DKK 145 million. This acquisition aligns with Flügger’s strategy of growth through acquisitions, particularly in emerging markets.
The Factories
Flügger group A/S has a total of 7 factories in 4 countries that produce tools, paint, etc. Our paint factory in Kolding from 1970 is the oldest we have.
Denmark
Kolding
Millions of litres of paint are produced in Kolding every year.
The factory in Kolding produces approximately 30 million litres of water-based paint, wood protection and wallpaper adhesive per year.
Poland
Gdansk
In Gdansk, Poland, Flügger produces wallpaper and felt, as well as smaller quantities of paint. The factory was operational in 2010.
Wasilków
Unicell has a factory in Wasilków, where water-based indoor and outdoor paints are produced.
Sweden
Three smaller Swedish towns each accommodate their own Flügger factory.
Bollebygd
The facility was inaugurated in the summer of 2021, and now produces the equivalent of 27 million liters of spackle annually.
Bankeryd
In Bankeryd in central Sweden, our factory which produces paintbrushes, bristles and rollers is located. Most are manufactured by machine. However, some of our brush types are assembled by hand to ensure the right quality.
Bodafors
At the factory in Bodafors in central Sweden, we produce plastic handles for brushes, rollers and spackle knives. This is also where we manufacture other plastic components such as lids and packaging.
Ukraine
Odesa
At the factory in Odesa, Eskaro produces water–based indoor paints and primers.
The History of Flügger
2024
Flügger with a new strategy
In 2024, Flügger launched its new three-year strategy, “Flügger Organic – Delivering sustainable value.” This strategy places the professional painter at the centre of everything we do and aims to drive profitable, organic growth.
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In the new strategy, Flügger Organic, the basic attitude of being a ‘co-creator of a greener industry’ is continued, which has applied to Flügger since its origins with water-based paints.
Furthermore, the strategy strengthens Flügger’s market position by introducing clear commercial options and opt-outs, while pursuing organic growth that also enhances overall profitability
Flügger Organic consists of five strategic areas:
‘The Nordic Region’, ‘International’, ‘Brand’, ‘Simplification’ and ‘Resilience’.
2021
Flügger – New management
On 1 April 2021, Sune Schnack, son of Ulf Schnack, became CEO after Jimmi Mortensen stepped down from the role.
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In February 2021, Flügger raised its expectations for both revenue and earnings for the fourth time in the 2020/21 financial year. This update followed a significant sales increase in the first half of the year and continued revenue growth in the following months.
Earnings expectations rose to DKK 215–235 million, equal to an EBIT margin of 10–11 % — nearly double the original forecast announced in June 2020. At the same time, revenue expectations increased to DKK 2,100–2,150 million.
2020
Flügger revises financial expectations upwards three times and launches updated strategy
The world is affected by the corona pandemic, which creates uncertainty about access to raw materials, procurement patterns, conditions for retail, etc.
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In 2020/21, Flügger achieved strong sales growth in Denmark and Sweden, boosted by renovation demand during COVID-19, the Unicell acquisition, and cost efficiencies. Earnings nearly doubled, and revenue forecasts rose significantly. In summer 2020, the Going Green strategy was launched, targeting six areas for growth and long-term sustainability.
2019
Flügger acquires the majority of shares in paint manufacturer Unicell
In November 2019, Flügger concluded an agreement to acquire 60% of the shares in Unicell Poland Sp. z.o.o., a paint manufacturer with headquarters in Wasilków, Poland.
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The majority of Unicell’s products are sold to distributors, home improvement stores and other retailers. The company employs approximately 200 people and has an annual turnover of approximately DKK 145 million.
2017
Flügger launches new strategy and new values
In the autumn of 2017, Flügger’s management launches the strategy Securing the Legacy and the values of Team, Time, and Trust.
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The focus is on generating profitable growth and efficiency – without compromising the company’s DNA and the quality, passion, and creativity that has been built up over generations. During the first year after the launch of the strategy, the initiatives already bear fruit, and the results are visible on the bottom line, which is enhanced.
2014
Flügger – New management
In the spring of 2014, a new CEO acceded, and despite a high level of ambition, he experienced stagnant turnover and sharply declining earnings, primarily due to problems with a new IT system in 2015.
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In August 2016, Jimmi Mortensen took over as the new CEO and initiated a clean-up of internal processes as well as consolidation of the store network and product assortment.
2010
Flügger after the financial crisis
The 2009/10 fiscal year was a positive surprise. The net turnover fell by only a few percent, and EBIT was just over DKK 100 million compared to expectations of half that amount.
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In the light of the above, the group chose to continue the strategy of organic growth established by expanding the store network in Scandinavia as well as in Poland and the Czech Republic.
However, a weak sales trend in Denmark (which has traditionally been the group’s cash cow), significantly increased cost of raw material, and significantly increased distribution costs, resulted in that expectations for the bottom line – i.e. EBIT – in recent years have not been met despite a positive sales trend.
2007
Flügger invests internationally
A strategy is laid out in 2007 towards 2010, which involves a continuation of the expansion of the number of Flügger Farver stores in Scandinavia. At the same time, Poland and China are being targeted.
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These markets will sustain the growth once the group has achieved its goals in Scandinavia. As can be seen from the following, the expectations were met in the short term, until the financial crisis impacted the group at the turn of the year 2008/09.
2004
Flügger focuses on organic growth
After a few years of satisfactory profits but stagnant net sales, Flügger decided to prioritize the revenue again. The company chose to acquire the leading paint manufacturer in Iceland and prioritized the expansion of the Flügger Farver chain, primarily in Norway and Sweden.
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Additionally, the strategy for the next three years, i.e. until 2007, met the expectations set.
1999
Flügger prioritizes the bottom line
In the fiscal year of 1998/99, things did not go so well for the group. The top line – i.e. net turnover – fell by approximately 2% to DKK 1,012 million, and the bottom line – i.e. primarily the operating profit EBIT – also took a dive to DKK 30 million.
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As a consequence of this development, a strategy was set: The group’s profitability had to be re-established, as shown by the developments in the following years.
1994
Flügger focuses on Scandinavia
At the turn of the year 1993/94, Sweden’s third largest paint factory, HP Färg & Kemi AB, was acquired, which has since changed its name to Flügger AB. Additionally, HP’s Norwegian company merged with Flügger Norway, and the Danish subsidiary PP Mester Maling continued as an independent company in the group.
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Over the following years, the Flügger group aims to become one of the main suppliers of decorative paints in Scandinavia. This lead to the acquisition of a small chain of paint retailers in Norway, and in Denmark, a wholesaler in northern Jutland is obtained. Additionally, AdeKema – a manufacturer of cleaning products – is acquired in Sweden. The group chooses to expand the Swedish central warehouse near Gothenburg with 11,500 pallet unit spaces.
1983
Flügger becomes listed on the stock exchange
Due to a major fire at the Kolding factory, Flügger postponed its planned IPO (initially scheduled for 1978) and finally listed in 1983.
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The introductory stock price was DKK 875 per share, equivalent to DKK 52 per share today, considering the issuance of bonus shares and the non-dilutive secondary offerings.
Post-IPO Acquisitions
With DKK 42 million in IPO proceeds, Flügger seized the opportunity to diversify its portfolio. Denmark’s largest wallpaper factory, Fiona in Faaborg, is acquired. Afterwards, the company then acquired Denmark’s largest wallpaper factory, Fiona, and also added the only sandpaper manufacturer, Dragon, to its group. In Sweden, Stiwex brush and paint tool manufacturer is acquired as well as Fobo brush factory.
1975
Flügger begins offering products to private customers
Before 1975, Flügger primarily supplied the painting trade and did not sell to private customers. However, market conditions soon changed.
Due to the 1974 economic downturn, Flügger launched the ‘Flügger Farver’ retail chain, marking a strategic shift into private customer sales.
1970
Flügger builds a new factory
As the Rødovre site reached full capacity in the 60s, Flügger established a new factory in Kolding in 1970. The company designed the new Kolding facility specifically to produce aqueous, environmentally friendly decorative paint.
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In 1970, Flügger converted into a publicly listed company with the next generation, the son Ulf Schnack, as CEO. The share capital corresponding to the equity amounted to DKK one million.
1958
Flügger commences production
On the 1st of April 1958, the company relocated from the centre of Copenhagen to a new factory and administration facility in Rødovre. Ulf Schnack, then a 22-year-old newly graduated chemical engineer, led the development and production of professional-grade decorative paint there.
1948
Flügger becomes Danish-owned
Following the Second World War, the Danish state seized alle German property in Denmark as war reparations.
After a few years, the state sold the company through a commission sale. It was Michael Schnack, the company’s Danish manager, who acquired the company with the support of four major painting companies.
1890
Flügger launches in Denmark
On the 1st of November 1890, the German parent company opened its first branch in Denmark. This occurred after the parent company in Hamburg had established sales to professional painters in Denmark, to whom they wanted to provide local service.
1783
Flügger starts up in Hamburg
Daniel Flügger founded the company in 1783. His son, Joachim Daniel Flügger, took over in 1816 and continued it in his name: J. D. Flügger, Farben & Lackfabrik, Hamburg. Afterwards, four generations of the Flügger family managed the company until a voluntary liquidation in 1973.
Brands and Labels
Flügger
The Flügger brand is the group’s largest brand. Our extensive product range includes decorative paints, wood preservatives, spackling paste, glues, adhesives, wall papers, sanding materials, brushes, tools, and cleaning products. This product range is based on many years of craftsmanship and experience. Flügger produces all essential goods ourselves, and the products work best when used with other Flügger products.
Visit our extensive product universes at www.flugger.dk.
Unicell Nordic
Unicell Nordic is a sales unit that delivers high-quality products at competitive prices to a broad customer segment, which includes professional painters, paint retailers, department stores and grocery stores.
Product range and distribution
The product range includes paint, painting tools, wallpaper, sanding, and cleaning products. In addition to a number of tailor-made private label products, Unicell Nordic carries the brands Yunik, Stiwex, and Fiona.
Unicell Nordic supplies our paint retail chain, PP professional paint, which specializes in a narrow and focused product range for professional painters.
Moreover, Unicell Nordic sells a number of commercial goods that has been selected by Unicell Nordic’s trade specialists – based on extensive market knowledge.
Yunik
Yunik offers a complete range of paints and spackle pastes for all types of surfaces for indoor and outdoor use.
Visit www.yunik-maling.dk.
Stiwex
Stiwex manufactures painting tools and cleaning utensils. The product range is particularly strong in paint brushes, rollers, bristle brushes, spackle knives, and wallpaper tools.
PP professional paint
PP professional paint is a Danish chain with 8 wholesale centres, which since 1981 has sold a narrow and focused product range for the professional and price-conscious painter.
Visit www.pp-professionalpaint.dk.
DETALE CPH
In May 2019, DETALE CPH became part of Flügger, and the popular coloured spackle paste is now sold in Flügger stores in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. DETALE CPH has existed since 2014 and has been on an exciting journey since then. The products are available in several textures and in up to 37 colours.
Visit www.detalecph.com.
