Appelberg Publishing Agency AB in Sweden has sold its operations in Hong Kong and Shanghai to ScanAsia Consulting Ltd, a Hong Kong–based management consulting firm owned by Staffan Löfgren, and Jan Hökerberg, managing director of Appelberg’s China businesses. They have acquired 50 per cent each of the shares.

Appelberg in Hong Kong and Shanghai produces customer magazines, internal magazines, newsletters, image publications, company brochures, etc, both printed and web-based, for companies.

“We are very pleased that we have been presented with this opportunity, since we have a firm belief in the China market for business communications. The synergies we will gain through this acquisition will be beneficial to our companies as well as to our clients,” says Staffan Löfgren.

Appelberg acquired its Hong Kong subsidiary, Appelberg Business Communications Ltd, in 2001. The Hong Kong company owns Appelberg Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co, Ltd, which obtained a business licence in 2002.

“We have seen a clear improvement in sales during the past months. China’s economy continues to grow fast, and the Hong Kong market is on its way up. We are currently expanding our business and will hire more people, especially in our Shanghai office,” says Jan Hökerberg.

Having decided to market itself as a Swedish company, Appelberg has been looking for a new ownership solution for its China businesses.

The companies in Hong Kong and Shanghai will continue to use the Appelberg brand name as part of a licence agreement.

Staffan Löfgren has 18 years of experience as a businessman in Hong Kong and China. Last year, ScanAsia was assigned by Appelberg to handle the financial start-up of the Shanghai subsidiary and is also responsible for the accounting and financial management of both the Hong Kong and the Shanghai company.

Jan Hökerberg has been managing director of Appelberg in China since 2002. He was formerly Appelberg’s sales director in Sweden and has an extensive background in business journalism. He has also written books about Volvo and Saab.

Appelberg’s current client list includes companies and organizations such as Anheuser-Busch, Consulate General of Sweden, Gammon Skanska, Iggesund Paperboard, Invest in Sweden Agency, Italian Chamber of Commerce, Marriott International Group, Shanghai Container Terminals, SKF, Swedish Chamber of Commerce, Swedish Trade Council, Tekniktext, Tetra Pak, etc.