exte magazine no.4 2011

EXTEMAGAZINEN E W S F R O M T H E W O R L D ’ S L A R G E S T M A N U F A C T U R E R O F C A R G O B U N K S . N O 4 / 2 0 1 1

There are 200 characters for tree in the Japanese Kanji writing system – something hauliers all over the world will understand.

2 E X T E M A G A z I N E

E D ITOR IAL

New MD

Mats is the new MD at ExTe.Mats Karlsson took up his post as ExTe’s new MD on November 1. Mats joined ExTe in February of this year as Marketing Director.

Contacts: Contact us via tel. no. +46 (0)651-175 00 or fax no. +46 (0)651-175 03 and tell us what you need.Sales department direct: If you wish to speak to a sales person, call +46 (0)651-175 01.Internet: You’ll find everything you need to know about the world’s leading manufacturer of timber bunks at exte.se.

E X T E M A G A z I N E 3

E D ITOR IAL

New MD

gaining new markets. Our frequent contacts with hauliers, drivers and bodybuilders provide us with cues about the things different markets need. ExTe has a history of being good at developing new products. It’s no exaggeration to say we’ve taken the lead in this regard, something we’ll naturally continue to take good care of.” “Advanced product development is one of the most important factors for our continued success. I definitely hope to be able to step up the pace further still when it comes to the development of products for different markets, whether they be for timber transportation by road or rail,” declares Mats. “In this regard we need to create the long-term financial results necessary for continued investment in both product development and marketing actions. Above all we need to continue to increase our contacts with hauliers. We’ve just begun talks with service workshops and bodybuilders in Sweden.” “The objective is to improve the availability of our products and spare parts while providing hauliers closer access to qualified service – a working method we’ll also adapt to other markets,” explains Mats. “For the immediate future we need to continue to streamline all of our processes. An increased focus on cost efficiency will strengthen our competitiveness so we can continue to provide the market with attractive offers. We aim to defend our strong position in Scandinavia and increase our activities in our European home markets and prioritized distant overseas markets.” “Forestry has a remarkable ability to survive through the deepest of recessions. Despite the fact that we are fed a daily diet of reports about the financial predicament, especially in Europe, we still believe in continued positive trends,” says Mats. “I’d also like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.” <

ExTe is part of the Extendo Group along with Alucar in Finland, Midwaggon in Sweden, Evans Engineering in New zealand and EEAP in Malaysia. We are currently setting up a new bodybuilding workshop in Malaysia, and the manager there is Lennart Wallström. In addition to his time as MD, he also has many years’ experience as production director at ExTe. He has a thorough knowledge of ExTe’s working methods, values and experiences, all of which will be important as production in Malaysia ramps up.

“ExTe has a strong business concept, one that definitely has a global future. And for us here in Färila, our setting up in Malaysia is purely positive – we’ll be supplying the bunks for the bodybuilding,” Mats tells us. Mats, an engineering MSc, has worked in the mechanical engineering industry all of his professional life in jobs that have had a focus on international business. “I’ve said it before, and it bears repeating; ExTe’s strong business concept provides us with great opportunities for

“This was a challenge I just couldn’t refuse. Lennart Wallström’s new job in Malaysia and my appointment as MD at ExTe are both parts of the Extendo Group’s strategy of gaining entry into new markets,” says Mats.


R E PORTAG E

The A10 & D Stakes

“All the tests show that we’ve kept our promise of increased strength with room to

spare,” Mårten Sörell at ExTe’s R&D department tells us. It was Mårten who carried

out the tests during the autumn. “And we also managed to have the products

ready for delivery from the beginning of December. It’s a great feeling, and now hauliers and bodybuilders

are welcome to place their orders,” says Mårten.

The A10 has a load capacity of 10 tons and is a completely new A series bunk designed to handle tougher loads than the

other A bunks. “We’ve identified the areas of the frame that are exposed to

the greatest stresses during loading and unloading and we’ve added material in those places. And all of the sharp corners have been

rounded off to make the welds stronger,” explains Mårten. The newly developed D stake is part of the A10; the stake’s D cross-

section makes it stronger. Despite its increased strength the weight of the A10 bunk and (10-ton)

D stake with attachments has increased only marginally to 144 kg. <

A10 bunks and D stakes are ready for delivery.ExTe made a couple of promises when the prototype A10 bunk and D stakes were presented at the Forestry Transport Exhibition in Ljusdal last August. Firstly that the new bunk frame and D stake combination would be at least 10 per cent stronger than the A9 bunk, and secondly the new frames and stakes would be ready for deliveries by December 1.

D-StakenNyhet

HELT NY DESIGNNamnet kommer av tvärsnittet som liknar ett D.

EN STARKARE KONSTRUKTIONStakens utformning som ett D gör den starkare.

LÅG VIKTEn D-stake (10 ton) väger 32,15 kg

FRAMTAGEN FÖR A10-BANKEND-staken är skräddarsydd för A10-banken.

A-SerienA10

Nyhet

NY PÅ MARKNADEN

En helt nykonstruerad stomme.

A-SERIENS STARKASTE

A10 har en lastförmåga på 10 ton.

MER KRAFT I STOMMEN

Inuti stommen ligger mer material på de punkter som utsätts för hårda påfrestningar.

STOMMENS PROFIL

Kanterna är fasade för att bättre motstå belastning.

HYLSANS SIDOPLÅTAR

Alla skarpa hörn har rundats. Gör svetsfogen starkare.

INTEGRERAD BOTTENPLÅT

Bottenplåten har integrerats i hylsbotten och ger stommen ett smidigare utseende.

SAMMA YTTERMÅTT

A10-bankens yttermått är desamma som för övriga bankar i A-serien.

Continual product development gets results. The A10 frame and D stake are the latest.

News


R E PORTAG E

The A10 & D Stakes

The tests expose the bunks and stakes to heavy stresses, often greater than in the real world. A hydraulic ram presses the stake back and forth, exceeding by far the real-world limits for both the frame and the stake. In the case of the A10 frame and D stakes it adds up to an increase in service life of 15 per cent compared to the A9.

Mårten Sörell is responsible for testing the new A10 bunk and D stakes. He began work in ExTe’s sheet metal shop in 1998 at the age of 19. After three years he became a CNC operator before “defecting” to be a forest machine operator. But he returned to ExTe in March this year, this time as a designer. Mårten likes to find new solutions to practical problems, at work and at home. In his private life he lives with his partner, and keeps a Swedish Foxhound and a Swedish Dachsbracke. In other words, hunting hares is a passion. Mårten has a farm outside Färila and spends a great deal of time taking care of it when he’s not hunting or reading. Reading is something he does a lot of, often.


R E PORTAG E

Malaysia

From Färila to Sibu.


You can hardly call it commuting distance. Sibu is in East Malaysia about 36 miles from the sea. The town has 250,000 inhabitants, expanding trade and industry and is located in the centre of the biggest timber-handling district in Malaysia. These days you’ll find EEAP here, part of the Extendo Group together with ExTe among others. And since the beginning of November this year it’s also home to Lennart Wallström.Lennart left his position as ExTe MD at the end of October to take charge of setting up the Extendo facility, which will be run jointly with a collaborative partner in Malaysia.

“My assignment is to build up production from scratch, basically. A challenge in its own right, with entirely different conditions than we’re used to back home,” states Lennart. “I have to make sure we achieve a lay-out and production flow that is rational. As yet not all the tools and machinery are in place, some of it is still on the way here. I also have to make sure that production lives up to the quality standards the group stands for. We will be working chiefly as bodybuilders installing bunks on timber trailers. The bunks will be supplied by ExTe in Färila. They use specially adapted, rather heavy steel bunks here. We make the bunks from high-strength steel and count on the equipment lasting a given number of years, while the domestic products are made from mild steel and require constant repair,” Lennart tells us. “I’ll also have to put a lot of effort into finding and training competent employees. For example, we’ll need to boost our welding expertise, but people are really dedicated here and I’m convinced that things will work out really well.” “I’ve just begun explaining to our employees how we keep things clutter free and shipshape back in Färila, e.g. by painting lines on the floor where forklifts need free passage. What I learned during my time at ExTe is worth its weight in gold. That way of working is second nature to me, and I’ll make sure I pass it on.” “There are naturally many new impressions, and not everything we usually take for granted works the same way here, but things will work out. This is a very multi-cultural workplace with many different nationalities.” “This part of the world has great business potential for Extendo – there is a growing market that needs good equipment, and that’s exactly what we’re able to provide. But right now our focus is on starting up production,” says Lennart. “We’ll be staying here for extended periods, so right now the wife and I are looking around for a house. Even this has its interesting points, such as evenings watching great big lizards chasing bugs across the white walls. All in all I can tell you there are a lot of new impressions, and there are more all the time. But it’s a source of great inspiration to be part of creating something new,” observes Lennart. <

R E PORTAG E

Malaysia


N EWS ITE MS

Miscellany

Truck meet in Ramsele.

Ramsele has a magical attraction for people who like trucks.. In addition to the fantastic weather there were many visitors at the truck meet. ExTe was there sharing a stand with Trux, Parator and OP Höglunds. Many of the timber trucks had ExTe bunks, and as usual people showed a great deal of interest in ExTe. But we wonder if the Truck Racer was not the most popular, especially when it went vrooom!

Lilleström – a success for exhibitors.The exhibition in Lilleström, Norway was a great success this year with excellent sales for the exhibitors and a record number of visitors who all had a good time. And of course ExTe was present in a joint stand with OP Höglunds, Parator and Kran och Hydraulik.

This rig equipped with ExTe bunks was on show at the Scania stand.

Not just any old trip.A trip to Norway can be fun. But what about a trip around Vålerbanan racetrack with Tommy Rustad behind the wheel. “We’re talking speed.” “We were invited by Morek to a meeting with customers. Everyone got to take part in three races, and we took a ride with Tommy, a Swedish Scandinavian Touring Car Championship driver,” Jörgen Spring tells us.Tommy also has a timber truck with ExTe bunks, and he’s just invested in another truck and trailer. Fitted with ExTe bunks, naturally.


R E PORTAG E

Rail

ExTe on rails.

service and repairs of locomotives and rolling stock but also wagon modifications and bodybuilding. We’re currently fitting out 24 timber wagons with ExTe timber equipment for Hector Rail; the wagons will transport logs e.g. between Norway and Sweden. “Following that, Midwaggon will also fit ExTe timber bunks to 10 permanently coupled so-called H wagons for Inlandsbanan AB. So overall, things have been moving along really well on the rail side for several years,” declares Roger. See more about our railway products at exte.se. <

Every time you see a timber train in Sweden you can be almost completely sure that those are ExTe timber bunks on the wagons. During the past twenty or more years ExTe has supplied timber bunks to more than just Swedish rail operators, and there are railway wagons equipped with ExTe bunks in traffic in several other European countries. As is the case with bunks for timber trucks, they all look a little different depending on customer requirements, which have to do with such things as the type of load profile for a given route and the type of wagon the customer is hauling.

Just as it is for many other types of freight the trend for timber transport by rail is up for reasons financial and environmental. In parallel with bunk development for timber trucks, ExTe has also established itself as the leading developer and supplier of products for the rational and profitable transportation of timber by rail. The philosophy is the same – the products have to help improve customer economy and competitiveness. “With around 14,000 sold, it is chiefly the ExTe SR12 bunk that’s of interest in Scandinavia,” Roger Larsson at ExTe tells us. “The SR 12 was designed for 12 ton loads and the strength of the bunk means we can make the most of the larger load profile we have here in Scandinavia.” “On the continent where load profiles are smaller, the SR 6 bunk is the more marketable. The bunk takes 6 ton loads and is suitable for transporting both logs and sawn wood,” explains Roger. Last summer Transwaggon – which has its head office in Switzerland – bought 300 bunks of this model, and over the years they’ve bought more than 5,000 bunks. “We also deliver beyond Europe; New Zealand for example, where they’re currently equipping 100 wagons with 600 of our SR 12 timber bunks. Installation is being carried out by Evans Engineering, part of the Extendo Group, and will continue into January or February,” Roger tells us. Midwaggon, ExTe’s sister company, not only carries out

1 0 E X T E M A G A z I N E

R E PORTAG E

Finland

Ulf Lund is a haulier in Skinnarby, in south east Finland.

“Well, you see I don’t speak Finnish, and I would appreciate getting the magazine in Swedish.” Ulf has been a haulier since the sixties. “I’ve always used ExTe bunks, and I hang on to them. Now I have ExTe bunks on two trucks and they work really well,” says Ulf. “I think it’s a great idea that ExTe sends out magazines to all the Finnish hauliers, it’s a good way of keeping up with what’s going on.” Ulf also feels that timber transports have done well this year. “It has its ups and downs, and some people are getting worried, but when you’ve been in the game as long as I have you know that after a quiet period things pick up again,” states Ulf.

The first attempt with distribution to Finnish hauliers was made following the Forestry Transport Exhibition in Ljusdal last August. An ExTe Magazine packed with information about new products along with news from hauliers and truck drivers, contents that would be both useful and entertaining for readers. Because many Finnish hauliers are Swedish speaking it turned out not to be easy to reach the right readers with a magazine in Finnish, but apart from that those we talked to liked the idea.

Johonny Fransman in Lovisa – Borgå was someone who

should have got ExTe Magazine.

“Well, we get so much information that I don’t really know if I’ve received the magazine or not, but I’m sure I’ve read about ExTe’s products somewhere. But it’s good if we get to read about different products for us timber hauliers. And it’s always interesting to see how other hauliers are doing,” says Johonny. “I have one truck and I’m the only driver. I sold my other truck to my brother. We use ExTe bunks, and they’re really good.” “This has been a really good year for us and we’ve had plenty of work. It’s quietened down a little during the autumn but that’s probably because it’s been so wet in the forests. And the industry usually cuts back on transportations before the New Year to reduce stocks, but once we get into next year things should pick up speed again, if the economy doesn’t mess things up,” adds Johonny.

Ulf Lund is one of the guys who thinks it’s a good idea to give out ExTe Magazine to Finnish hauliers.

Time for Finnish hauliers to get ExTe Magazine too.


Tom Lönnvik in Jakobstad would also like to see more ExTe

products with Finnish hauliers. “Getting the magazine is one way of demonstrating ExTe’s presence. I get the impression we’ll see more and more of ExTe in Finland. I own three trucks and have ExTe bunks on all of them. My contact with ExTe was through bodybuilders and Jörgen Spring,” says Tom. “It was a good summer and autumn with plenty of work, but it’s getting a little quieter now,” notes Tom. But that hasn’t stopped him from thinking about investing in yet another truck. <

It’s not always easy to remember which language you’ve

read something in if you speak both Finnish and Swedish.

“I think I get the Swedish version of ExTe Magazine,” says Magnus Sjöström. “But it could have been Finnish,” he adds after a moment’s reflection. “Because I speak and read both languages equally well I don’t always notice if it’s Swedish or Finnish. It’s kind of automatic.” “But apart from that it’s a good idea to give out a Finnish version of the magazine,” thinks Magnus. Magnus has a new truck in the offing. He’ll use E bunks on it, too. “I’m completely satisfied with these bunks,” he says.


R E PORTAG E

Roadshow

Roadshow – one year, many meetings and many, many miles.The ExTe Roadshow was a long-running affair – literally. Not even Jörgen Spring has any idea how many miles he’s driven the ExTe Roadshow rig over the years.

“But it’s a good few, probably round the world and back,” he thinks. During the autumn he and his workmates from ExTe visited reception points and timber terminals in southern Sweden. “I don’t know if there’s something special about hauliers and truck drivers, but it’s always great fun meeting them. And it seems to be mutual,” says Jörgen. “When we’re on the road we’re at their service; we bring the news, and we naturally provide the coffee.”

Up hill, down dale, this way and that.It’s fair to say that many roads in Norway go this way and that and have their ups and downs. “Sometimes I fail to fathom how they manage to transport their timber,” says Jörgen Spring, who rode along with Böhaugen Transport AS during a trip. “The roads are narrow and hilly, and as often as not have a precipice to one side.” “Like I’ve always said, it takes tough girls and boys to drive timber trucks,” declares Jörgen. <


“A lot of people took the opportunity to pop in once they’d unloaded their timber, even though a number of reception areas are cutting back. I get the impression that many had plenty of work despite the fact that a number of reception areas are closing,” says Jörgen. A number of saw mills have announced closures over Christmas and the New Year. “But there seems to be a perception with hauliers and drivers alike that forestry will keep on truckin’ anyhow, even if the economy begins to drop off,” says Jörgen. <

Nostalgia at Trailer Trucking.This year ExTe shared a stand with Trux at Trailer Trucking in Mantorp. Instead of launching products ExTe and Trux struck a more nostalgic note together. This year’s theme was Truck Race and what could be more natural than highlighting Curt Göransson’s successes on the track. Both of the vehicles he drove in the eighties were there together with pictures of all of the trophies from Curt’s successes. One of the trucks performed an exhibition race, only this time it was Klas Spring behind the wheel. There were a lot of visitors to Trailer Trucking and many who remembered the way things were back in the eighties appreciated the nostalgic journey. <


R E PORTAG E

Com 90

Com 90. Everything is so much easier, and the transport distance doesn’t matter then.” “Right now I’m busy trucking timber on a 200 kilometre trip, one way. Imagine how good it feels not to have to run around in the mud tying down loads now that it’s wet and swampy everywhere. I’m just as clean at the end of a shift as I was at the beginning, and I don’t have to wear out any gloves, either,” laughs Jan. “The Com 90 bunks work exactly as we’d hoped, and the back-up from ExTe has been great. We’ve had to replace a hydraulic hose or two and a couple of the arms that hold down the load, but that’s all. We’re pretty darned pleased with the equipment. And it works for every type of transport; Com 90 was a profitable investment for us,” declares Jan.

The brothers drive mainly for Billingsfors Bruk.And their trips are without doubt a little bit odd. Not because the timber looks odd – it’s perfectly normal logs and pulpwood. The odd part is the short transport distances, or as they like to put it themselves, from fairly short to extremely short. It’s less than one kilometre between the terminal and the industry, ideal territory for the Com 90. “We’ve driven 360,000 kilometres with our rig since 2009. That’s around 150,000 kilometres a year.” “When we had a conventional rig we transported around 60,000 m³ per year,” Jan tells us. “But with Com 90 bunks we manage around 80,000 m³. That’s an increase of just over 35 per cent. And with a lot less effort.” “Because that’s one of the greatest advantages with

Everything is so much simpler.Do you remember the brothers Jan and Ulf Gustavsson from Skåpafors. Back in May 2009 they invested in a completely new rig and installed Com 90 bunks.“A decision we’ve never regretted,” says Jan Gustavsson.

Brothers Ulf and Jan Gustavsson tested Com 90. “We were hooked right away,” they say.


G OLF TOU R NAM E NT

ExTe Masters

Welcome to Sweden’s biggest private amateur golf tournament at one and the same course. ExTe Masters 2012.

Are you a timber haulier, bodybuilder or timber truck seller? Do you play golf? Then you absolutely must call Per Jonasson at ExTe. He can provide you with details about ExTe Masters, which will take place in July next year. Because the number of participants is limited you should call right away if you are interested. You can reach Per by phone on +46 651 175 07 or +46 70 632 9202. Or you can of course apply directly by emailing [email protected] The competition is also open to your employees and family members. Minimum age, 18 years.

ExTe Masters is organized so that you can either play alone or as a member of a team. There are three people per team.We would prefer to see one team for timber hauliers, one for bodybuilders and one for truck sellers. Per will describe the details when you get in touch with him. There will be qualifying rounds for three days, Wednesday 25/7 to Friday 27/7. Then there’s a “cut” to the final round on Saturday 28/7. Usually around half of the singles and half of the teams make it to the Saturday games. In addition to fine daily prizes there is a grand banquet and prize giving ceremony on Saturday evening. And here’s the best part... there are 10 places at the final to be won. And the final will be played on a first-class course abroad during 2013. Call Per Jonasson now!

ExTe Masters25–28 Juli 2012

Sweden Postage

paid

ExTe Fabriks AB, SE-820 41 Färila, Sweden. Tel: +46 (0)651 175 00. Fax: +46 (0)651 175 03. Email: [email protected] www.exte.se

KIL

OM

ETER

Securing cargo. We invented the Concept.

All of us at ExTe wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.So another year has passed. Strange how time flies when you’re having fun. And fun we’ve had. All year. Loads of meetings with hauliers, drivers and bodybuilders. At roadshows, exhibitions, here at the factory in Färila and all the usual and unusual places around the world. And everyone we met had great knowledge of forestry transportation, high standards and a firm belief in the future. And perhaps most important of all, a conviction that the future will be at least as good as the past we leave behind. In the run-up to Christmas and New Year, we at ExTe would like to share with you the aroma of roast ham, gingerbread houses, maybe a little mulled wine and wish you a relaxing time and many wonderful moments together with your nearest and dearest. We wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

exte magazine no.4 2011

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