IKEA enters Ingvar Kamprad stage as Swedes replace all board members

Swedish giant IKEA, which this year took over the store in Baneasa shopping area of Bucharest in the wake of a deal ZF puts at over 30m euros, has appointed its own directors and keeps Cornel Oprisan at the helm of the unit, according to Official Gazette data. At the same time, IKEA also took over 0.05% in stock from Inter IKEA, owner of the franchise. In 2007, when IKEA store opened domestically, it was a franchise operated by Moaro Trading. Moaro Trading's shareholders were Engma Beheer (75.7%), Turkmall Retail BV (24.25%) and Inter Ikea Systems B.V. (0.05%). The store was, however, indirectly controlled by Puiu Popoviciu, one of the most powerful and discreet domestic businesspeople. The recent sale of the franchise by Popoviciu marked the change of directors, who are now expats with experience in other European stores of the retailer. Thus, German-born Hans Heinrich Schaefer (55) was appointed chairman of the Board of Directors, while Austrian-born Rudolf Stroissnig (59) and Swedish-born Henrik Olshov (44) are directors. Another new name at IKEA Romania is Georg Platzer (45), appointed as company representative. The founder of IKEA is Ingvar Kamprad, one of the world's wealthiest people.