Located in Malmö, ‘Tobaksfabriken’ the former Frans Suells Tobacco Factory, is Mileway’s largest property in Sweden, spanning c. 85,000 sqm across multiple buildings. Once the heart of the city’s tobacco production, this historic site has been reimagined into a vibrant business hub. In 2022, Mileway completed the refurbishment of a 9,000 sqm building within the property, creating modern, flexible spaces designed to support the growing community of local businesses and lifestyle brands, including Mileway’s latest customer to the asset, MobileFriend.
Mileway: Welcome to Tobaksfabriken and our thriving community of businesses! Can you briefly introduce MobileFriend and who you serve?
Mischa Leigard, Founder & CEO at MobileFriend: We’re a proudly Swedish brand that I founded in 2022. We create high-quality iPhone cases and mobile accessories inspired by Scandinavian design – simple, functional, and timeless. MobileFriend is now available in over 40 stores across Sweden and we’re also expanding into Denmark and Norway, with an online presence (mobilefriend.se).
Mileway: What made Tobaksfabriken the right fit for your operations in Malmö?
ML: Setting up in Malmö has always been a dream, and Tobaksfabriken offers everything we need – excellent connectivity, modern facilities and a creative community. Being close to Malmö Central Station makes access easy for both our team and visitors, and the environment is clean, organised and full of inspiring neighbouring businesses that encourage networking and collaboration.
Mileway: Since moving in, what impact have you seen on your efficiency and ability to scale?
ML: The move has transformed how we operate. The spacious, well-planned warehouse has made logistics much smoother, and being just 500 metres from our shipping partner has significantly improved fulfilment speed and sustainability. Having our office and warehouse under one roof has streamlined communication and teamwork, and the shared amenities (like the kitchen and dining areas) make it a great place to work – and network!
Mileway: How has our team supported this stage of your growth journey?
ML: When choosing a real estate partner, trust and flexibility were key. From day one, Mileway really listened and gave us the freedom to adapt the space to our specific needs. Our Asset Manager, Alexander Otelea, made the whole process seamless, assuring us that as we grow, Mileway will grow with us. That kind of proactive, partnership-based approach reflects our own values and has been essential to our expansion.
Mileway: What are some of your key milestones as a young business?
ML: Launching our first collection in 2023 was a major milestone. We took risks, learned from early challenges, and since then, our sales have grown tenfold. Building strong retail partnerships, launching our e-commerce platform and expanding into Denmark and Norway have all helped establish us as a growing Scandinavian brand.
Mileway: What stands out about your experience at Tobaksfabriken?
ML: The sense of community. Everyone at Mileway and our neighbouring companies has been so welcoming and open to collaboration. It’s clear that being here isn’t just about having a great space – it’s about being part of a supportive environment where businesses grow together.
Mileway: What are your future ambitions?
ML: We want MobileFriend to be known across Scandinavia and beyond for elegant, sustainable and accessible mobile accessories. In the next five years, we aim to expand into new markets such as Germany, Finland and the UK (Mileway has a strong presence in each of these locations), while staying true to our focus on quality, simplicity and sustainability.
