Inflight Service appoints new CEO, Candell takes development role

Inflight Service has announced that CEO Peter Candell is to step away from the role to focus on strategy and business development. His successor has been named as former Unilever Nordic supply chain vice-president Gustaf Ljunggren, who will take up the new role on August 19.

 

The company said in a statement that the management changes are part of a plan to take account of Inflight Service’s rapid growth since it was acquired by private equity company CapMan in 2005. “The focus is now set on continued organic growth over the next years,” the company said. “Several promising opportunities both in current and new markets at home and abroad have been initiated.

 

“Since taking on the position as CEO in 2001, Candell has led Inflight Service along a development path which has taken the company to a leading position in the travel-retail service trade. After eight successful years, Candell has informed the board of his wish to be given more time to focus on the areas closest to his interest and ambition: strategy and business development. [He] will leave the position as CEO, but thus continue to play an active part in the development of the company.”

 

The company has also appointed Jan-Erik Ericsson to head its purchasing and category management functions. Ericsson has held several positions within the ICA Group, most recently as Home & Personal Care purchasing manager, and will start his new role on September 1.

 

Inflight Service director of purchasing and logistics John Baumgartner will now focus on the logistics side of the business following the company’s acquisition of a central logistics facility in Tibro earlier this year.