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Swedish company sent Swastikas to Germany

Published: 10 Mar 12 10:25 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/39594/20120310/

A Swedish paper manufacturer made an unpleasant discovery recently, when they found that someone had been drawing swastikas on the company's paper rolls - later exported to a major client in Germany.

The German client was not amused.

"They reacted strongly, and wanted an explanation of how this could've happened," said Lars Lundin to local newspaper Hallandsposten.

Lundin is CEO of Stora Enso's paper mill Hyltebruk, in southern Sweden, where the incident occurred.

"I've given the client my personal apologies, as well as the company's. Today it looks as though we'll be able to keep them as clients."

Lundin was initially loath to disclose the nature of the drawings discovered on the rolls, describing them only as "symbols offensive to other people" when Hallandsposten first wrote of the matter on Friday.

However, an employee at Stora Enso soon contacted the newspaper and revealed that the drawings were in fact swastikas.

"I think they're incredibly embarassed that the company in Germany reacted. Those who don't know about this should definitely be told," said the anonymous employee to Hallandsposten.

The company's senior safety ombudsman wants to keep the matter within the company, according to Hallandsposten, and describes the incident as "general ignorance".

TT/Clara Guibourg (news@thelocal.se)

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19:04 March 10, 2012 by Gamla Hälsingebock
The Swastika is a symbol used by many peoples and for many things, for thousands of years. The US army has used them on uniforms pre WW2.

Why should the worst "meaning" of the symbol be the one we all remember?
20:22 March 10, 2012 by gpafledthis
General Ignorance ?? Hah in the US we have privatized it !! It is now just STOOPID (keep it to your self) this site is the most fun you can have alone !! YUP !! I mean it !! I get all sweaty at the thought "what if gpa never left" I'd be a swede (scream)
01:38 March 11, 2012 by TheWatchman
I have a feeling it's not the Buddhist Swastika Gamla.
11:25 March 11, 2012 by zooeden
Just because your SS grand pa was a good old man with you Gamla Hälsingebock it dont mean sheet... You probalby retard or a redneck!!!
14:36 March 11, 2012 by stabbull
i cant even believe a company could do dat, if indeed it was the company's idea to please their client, they should be closed down immediately, unless its some nasty employee trying to taint their image. TL we need more facts about this story.
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