Tor Rønhovde
CEO
Foreword by Tor
Many of us had high expectations for 2022. We quickly realised that the hard work that we had put in during the pandemic was paying off. Things were very positive. However, as we have seen during the last few years, unexpected things often happen when you least expect it. And that is exactly what happened in 2022. After a good start things once again became challenging as a result of war in Europe, the global power crisis, higher interest rates, inflation and cost pressures. Nevertheless there were major differences between these challenges. As the pandemic shifted between an open and closed society, the challenges of 2022 crept in and the markets have been dominated by uncertainty. This has demanded, and is still demanding, a lot from all of us.
Having said that, I don't know any other companies that are better equipped to handle rapid changes than us. We dare to engage in innovative thinking and we understand that innovation without the ability to implement changes is more or less worthless. But that is nothing new at 4Service. The willingness to challenge established ways, seek new solutions and never be satisfied are some of the things that have created the company that we have today. Innovation is what happens around us every single day and we could just as easily call it everyday improvements. If you work at 4Service, we expect you, like everyone else, to contribute towards this work. This is how we will continue to grow during the years ahead. At the same time as we will be developing our products and services in a number of different markets.
The annual report that you have in front of you shows how we performed financially in 2022. It also includes some important stories from our three divisions, and also explains the work we are undertaking in order to achieve greater sustainability. During the year Accommodation have developed and adapted their services in line with market demand. We are now running more large camps than ever before and one of the most exciting ones is located in Odda. You will hear about how Food & Facilities handled the situation when the UDI called late one Saturday evening. They needed food for an unknown number of refugees from the war in Ukraine who were on their way across the border in buses. At the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Cleaning and Maintenance have taken some major technological steps involving the interaction between humans and machines. And we have continued our socially critical work on social sustainability under our partnership with Møller Medvind.
The year behind us was divided into two. Much of it was good and some of it was challenging. The year ahead will largely be all about how we are able to understand, develop and adapt to the new normal. Let me conclude my introduction by emphasising our greatest strength: challenging established truths. Those of you who know me know that I think there is little that is impossible. Together we will always work towards new opportunities and together we will cultivate the art of opportunity.