Entrepreneur Henry Dunker's foundations

About Henry Dunker

Through Helsingborgs Gummifabrik AB and Trelleborg Gummifabrik AB, Henry Dunker built up a rubber empire and is believed to have been one of the richest people in Sweden in his time. Almost all of his wealth was donated and bequeathed to foundations, the proceeds of which are distributed between Helsingborg City and Dunker's relatives.

The foundations

The Dunker Foundations hold the majority of voting rights in Trelleborg AB and, as decreed by Henry Dunker, have the task of contributing to the long-term stable development of this company. Helsingborg City can utilise the proceeds from the foundations for a purpose of benefit to the city and contribute financially to the operation of the Dunker Hospital.

Board and management

The Dunker interests own all Class A shares in Trelleborg AB, corresponding to 54.1% of the votes and 10.7% of all shares in the company. The returns from these shares go to the Dunker interests. The manner in which the Dunker Foundations' Boards of Directors are to be appointed and how the administration is to be managed is laid down in Henry Dunker's will.

The foundations

During the early 1900s, Helsingborg citizen Henry Dunker controlled almost the entire Swedish rubber industry. During his life he worked his way up to become one of Sweden's richest people, with an iron hand and a good heart. He bequeathed his enormous fortune to The Henry and Gerda Dunker’s Donation Funds No. 1 and No. 2 and had previously donated part of his assets to The Henry and Gerda Dunker Foundation. The proceeds from these foundations have, among other things, financed the Helsingborg City Theatre, Dunkers Kulturhus and Helsingborg Arena and have contributed to the operation of Dunker hospital.