40 years of innovation – stories from Linköping Science Park
Christian Sahlén is the CEO of Actia Nordic and a prominent figure within the Linköping Science Park community, having been recognized as “Co-creator of the Year.” In the book celebrating Linköping Science Park’s 40th anniversary, Sahlén shares the story of how a potential closure turned into a global success in the automotive industry.
The chapter outlines the origins of Actia Nordic, which began in 2009 as a spin-off from Autoliv Electronics. During the financial crisis, Sahlén faced a directive to shut down the telematics division due to profitability concerns. Instead of dismantling the operation, he saw an opportunity in the technology used to send and store data. Sahlén orchestrated a sale of the division to Actia, a move that saved the jobs of the staff involved.
Readers will learn about the bold strategies employed to secure the company’s future. Sahlén describes presenting a growth plan that required significant investment during an economic downturn, a proposal initially met with skepticism. To establish credibility in the market, the team named their first product “Actia Connect Unit 2,” deliberately skipping a version one to appear more established. This calculated risk paid off, and the company now monitors millions of vehicles globally.
The text also highlights Sahlén’s philosophy on leadership and the regional ecosystem. He emphasizes that the network within Linköping Science Park supports growth through collaboration. Reflecting on the acquisition and the importance of retaining his team, Sahlén states:
“The value is never in the revenue, but in the minds of the people who created that revenue.”
This text is part of the article series based on Linköping Science Park’s 40-year book, which is available here
