Recas commits to supporting the people of Ukraine who have been severely affected by the war, together with the municipality and several Trollhättan-based companies. On Tuesday and Wednesday, January 21–22, the company’s CEO, Micael Lawson, traveled to Ukraine to transport generators across the border. The initiative was made possible thanks to financial support from the Trollhättan companies AB Sjuntorp, Binar Group, and Recas, who responded to a call for help from Trollhättan’s municipal commissioner Peter Eriksson.
The delivery includes, among other things, generators and spare parts that will be of great use in areas where power outages and energy shortages have become part of everyday life due to the consequences of the war. The final destination for the generators is Trollhättan’s sister city, Fastiv. The equipment was delivered to Lviv, where two representatives from the sister city welcomed Micael. In addition to Recas, AB Sjuntorp and Argynnis Group have contributed financially to make the effort possible.
– At Recas, we don’t just want to provide financial support, but also contribute in a practical way by ensuring that the aid reaches its destination,” says Micael Lawson. “It feels important to take action now, and I hope more companies feel the same sense of responsibility.
A local initiative with global significance
In the autumn of 2024, the City of Trollhättan signed a sister city agreement with the Ukrainian city of Fastiv to support the city in its difficult situation, but also to learn from one another. The collaboration focuses primarily on crisis preparedness and youth inclusion, where both cities see great opportunities to share knowledge and experiences. Through this partnership, Peter Eriksson has mobilized support from local businesses in Trollhättan to provide concrete assistance.
– “When Peter made a call for support on Facebook, we felt this was something we wanted to be part of. We are proud to be able to contribute with resources and practical help,” says Micael Lawson.
The journey was both a logistical challenge and an insight into the daily lives of people on the ground. A specially written letter from the mayor had to be used to gain entry into the country. Even so, they did not arrive until midnight, when a curfew was already in effect. Handling and unloading the heavy equipment also required improvisation.
“The smaller generators weighed 80 kilos, and the larger ones a full 175 kilos. It was difficult to get help because many of the people who would normally operate forklifts are out at the front. After visiting eight stores, we finally managed to borrow a forklift. You really notice the shortage of men of working age – it’s a stark reminder of the impact of the war,” says Micael.
Help and responsibility are part of Recas’ values
Recas has long worked to encourage social responsibility and positive change, both within the company and in the community. Through its Karma initiative, the company offers employees the opportunity to take one fully paid day off per year to engage in volunteer work. This initiative has become a central part of the company’s culture, inspiring both employees and partners to contribute to important social causes.
“For us, success is about creating value for our customers, employees, and society at large. It’s important to show that companies can make a difference, and that growth is about more than just numbers,” says Micael Lawson.
For more information, contact:
Micael Lawson
CEO, Recas
+46 (0)702 099 910
lawson@recas.se
