Poolia has gone through a number of phases in the company's twenty-year history - rapid growth in the 1990s, a decline during the recession and then a few years of healthy growth. Throughout this time, we have never lost our strong corporate culture and our fundamental values. The will to assume responsibility, with heart and soul; everyone is unique and important. We honour our values in all of our meetings and relationships. If you have ever met any of us from Poolia, you understand what I mean."
Milestones in Poolia's history:
1989: Björn Örås founds Ekonompoolen ("Pool of Accountants") in Stockholm.
1992: New legislation in Sweden to deregulate temporary staffing.
1993: Teknikerpoolen founded. Deregulation of the permanent placement market.
1996: Björn Örås becomes sole owner. The company adopts a new strategy to become a full-service supplier within the staffing sector.
1999: Poolia is launched on the Stock Exchange, and becomes the first company in Sweden to offer a Legal business area.
2000: Poolia becomess Sweden's second fastest-growing company and third largest staffing company. Operations start in Denmark and Finland.
2001: Acquisition of Competence Sköterskejouren leading to the inception of Poolia Vård. Acquisition of A&Z and thereby the start of operations in Germany. The staffing market declines due to the recession and Poolia's profitability falls.
2002: New strategy - a focus on qualified positions under the Poolia Professionals brand. Services within Warehouse & Industry are organised in a separate subsidiary called Uniflex. Poolia Healthcare starts up in Norway.
2004: Poolia turns to profit. Acquisition of UK company Parker Bridge, with operations in London and Edinburgh. Uniflex is portioned out to shareholders and listed on the Stock Exchange.
2007: Johan Eriksson appointed new MD and CEO. Dedicare is launched under a separate branch.
2008: Continued strong growth and Poolia's most profitable year ever. Continued expansion in Germany.
2009: Recession and decline in demand places high demands on efficiency and cost awareness. Continued growth in the subsidiary Dedicare.
2010: Economy is improving and Poolia launches Poolia Quality, a kind of quality marking that expresses our ambition to constantly strive for value and security for our clients.
2011: Monika Elling takes over as managing director of Poolia Sweden AB. Poolia get new country managers in England, Gavin Warner, and Germany, Tobias Rebenich. Foreign operations show profitability. Sweden opens up new offices in Helsingborg, Sundsvall and Umeå. Three new businesses started: Poolia Executive Search, TalentEye and Poolia Lead. Dedicare is distributed to the shareholders.