Anton Svensson, EWES AB, var en av deltagarna i Bryssel för att diskutera Balkan

EWES IN BRUSSELS

EU enlargement in focus for industry

When the EU’s future enlargement was discussed in Brussels on 4 March 2026, EWES CEO Anton Svensson took part in the panel as one of the voices representing business.

Industry’s perspective in Brussels

In Brussels, representatives from the European Commission, business and industry gathered at the invitation of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise to discuss the business implications of a larger Union.

With subsidiaries in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, EWES CEO Anton Svensson was invited to take part in the panel, where he highlighted the company’s experience of the Balkans.

“For us, this has been a very real issue for a long time. We already have operations in Bosnia and Serbia and have seen the region’s potential for decades,” he says.

A long-standing presence in the Balkans

EWES has been established in the Balkan region for more than 20 years, with production in Serbia since 2004 and in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2013.

Products manufactured here include springs, wire forms, pressed components and strip steel products. Production covers both local deliveries and exports to international customers.

From Bredaryd to Bosnia

Production in the Balkans largely mirrors manufacturing in Småland. One difference is that the production of Nozag springs is no longer based in Bredaryd, but is now concentrated in Bosnia.

The production of zigzag springs has been established there for more than five years, supplying both the domestic and continental furniture markets. Up to one million nozag springs in various designs are manufactured each year. The nozag spring is a component that adds comfort to sofas and beds.

Read more about the nozag spring here »

A growing market

A full enlargement of the EU would create a larger market of more than 500 million people, improved access to skills and stronger supply chains. At the same time, it would require investment and adaptation to common regulations.

“For customers looking to grow in the region, we can already offer experience, local presence and established production in the Western Balkans,” says Anton Svensson.

Business needs to be part of the dialogue

The seminar in Brussels made it clear that the issue of EU enlargement is not only about politics and security, but also about trade, production and long-term competitiveness. That is why it is important for companies with practical experience of the region to be part of the dialogue.