the magazine from lindab that focuses on simpler building ... · continues john kennedy. john...

LindabdirectApril 2008

www.lindab.comventilation indoor climate building systems building components

“Full speed ahead”LW Plåtslageri chooses Lindab

Success for PlexusThe first delivery in Denmark

Astron energy passportNew software provides benefits

Rainline in the spotlightPart of environmental campaign

Lindab’s innovations reach out further

the magazine from Lindab that focuses on simpler building solutions

2 we simplify construction

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The Hotel Clarion Sign, with its 558 rooms, is Stockholm’s largest hotel. The view from many of its rooms is by no means ordinary. The same can also be said about the rooms themselves and the hotel’s common areas. Discretely hidden behind the beautiful, Scandinavian-inspired walls, there are several thousand metres of the Lindab Safe Click duct system. The duct system circulates fresh air to both the suites and the standard rooms from the fan units and discrete devices that are integrated in the ceiling in each room’s factory-installed bathroom module.

April 2008

Assembly gains with Lindab Safe Clickthe new duct system is now being installed in more and more markets with quicker assembly as a result

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articles

Click-assembly with new ideathree Swedish mechanical and electrical contractors’ views about their experiences with the new Lindab Safe Click

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Lindabdirectventilation indoor climate building systems building components

Group news and share information5

in brief

News from the Profile business area21News from the Ventilation business area22

“Full speed ahead” for Gazelle CompanyLW Plåtslageri introduce specialisation and industrialisation to the tinsmith business

12 Energy passport for energy saving buildingsAstron supplement their Cyprion programme with a module for calculating total energy consumption.

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Green environmental initiative with RainlineLondon Development Agency finds the best place to exhibit Lindab Rainline

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360° solution for cooling and ventilationthe first official delivery of the new Plexus chilled beam scores a big success

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Sound solutions and good relationshipsSLS Gruppen develops lightweight building solutions with Lindab and tests the new RdBX stud

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The time is ripe for RdBXThe launch of the new stud system is in full swing in Sweden and Norway

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Lindab Direct is a magazine for Lindab’s customers and stakeholders.

Total circulation approx. 50,000 in several languages

Responsible publisher: Lars Dahlström. Production: Repetera AB.

Translations: Amesto Translations

Content may not be copied or reproduced without written permission from Lindab.

© Lindab 2008. www.lindab.com

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Cover shows the first Plexus delivery in Denmark to Steria, Copenhagen.

© GSK 2007

Change and innovation for success Lindab in brief

Lindab Direct April 2008

From change comes innovation and innova-tion creates success. This applies to the building industry as much as it does for all other industries. We aim to achieve exactly this with our commit-ment to simplified construction. Namely, by devel-oping techniques and methods in a fairly traditional industry in order to vitalise it in some way and cre-ate the conditions for new business dynamics in all processes. Our ambition is to lead the building industry in this direction and, through continuous improvement, increase effectiveness, enhance profitability and create greater customer value. For everybody involved.

We do this by basing Lindab’s business model on two solid foundations. The first is our tradition of entrepreneurship, which has distinguished our way of acting for almost 50 years in all the markets where we have a presence; a tight and close co-operation with our customers, where guaranteed deliveries and straight answers are central. The second is our unwavering commitment to industry-leading package solutions. It is here, backed up by the Group’s global structures, that we continually develop better solutions and innovations, to even more customers, in more and more markets. In a way, we are able to build strong customer values that reach out to even more.

Today, the issues of energy consumption and working time costs are on many people’s lips. The whole of Europe stands before new, demanding energy standards and the cost of labour in tradi-tional low-wage countries is on the increase. Our airtight, circular Lindab Safe Click duct system is a clear example of a system that not only reduces energy consumption, but also saves valuable time when installing due to new assembly methodol-ogy. This also applies to a large extent to our new RdBX stud system, which makes the installation of interior walls simpler, but, in the same way as Lindab Safe Click, also provides better ergonom-ics in the workplace.

The same can be said for our Building Sys-tems business area. Here, we have created a standard for building systems in steel that is adapted to the whole of Europe and simplifies the process from design to the execution of construc-tion work. Just as with some of our other product

areas, our own in-house developed IT tool plays a large role. In this case, the Cyprion IT programme, which has now been supplemented with an ener-gy calculation module and can read about further in this issue.

Without our commitment to continuous im-provement and innovation we would not have been able to develop these solutions or many of our other solutions, large and small. What is more, without our involvement in the markets – on a lo-cal level – we would not have been able to distrib-ute these solutions quite so effectively.

This is the foundation for everything we do – to create added value for our customers and their customers. This sometimes means providing solutions that differ from traditional solutions and creating new methods of working and new ways of tackling tasks. Lindab Safe Click and Lindab RdBX are examples of this type of new solution. So is our Lindab Partnership cooperation pro-gramme, which aims to streamline all the stages in the entire building process to which our new dynamic and customer-oriented solutions belong. Of course, not everyone immediately sees the benefits, even if the majority of people do. When the automotive industry gradually abandoned the column shift, introduced the air bag or launched more economical, more efficient motor vehicles, there were also traditionalists who raised their eyebrows. However, just as in these cases, it is difficult to resist simpler working methods, shorter assembly times and better energy conservation.

There is only one way forward for us and that is to lead development in our industry and create the closeness, effectiveness and dynamics that create profitability for all the parties involved. For our customers, for their customers and for us. We call it “to simplify construction”!

Kjell ÅkessonPresident and CEOLindab AB

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Lindab is an international Group that develops, produces and markets sheet metal products and system solutions in the Ventilation and Profile business areas.

Lindab’s central idea is to contribute to sim-plified construction in every phase of the building process.

The Lindab Group employs over 5,000 peo-ple in 30 countries, and had net sales of SEK 9,280 million in 2007. The Group’s headquar-ters are located in Grevie, Sweden, just outside Båstad on the beautiful Bjäre peninsula. Lindab is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, OMX, under the LIAB ticker.

The Ventilation business area offers ventilation components and complete indoor climate solu-tions to the ventilation industry.The business area has two divisions:

Air Duct Systems (ADS), whose main products are circular duct systems with rubber seals for ventilation.

Comfort, which manufactures and markets equip-ment for air distribution and indoor climate control.

The Profile business area supplies the con-struction industry with a comprehensive range of building components and complete building systems in steel for commercial and residential properties. The business area has two divi-sions:

Building Systems, which manufactures and markets complete building systems in steel.

Building Components, whose main products are complete steel systems for roof drainage, light-weight construction and roof and wall systems.

Lindab Direct April 2008Group news

Through the acquisition of Aervent Group, Lindab has today become the owner of the leading distributor of ventilation products on the Irish market. “We offer what we call a ‘one-stop-shop’ for every-thing within ventilation and heating,” explains John Kennedy, Managing Director at Lindab Aervent. “We supply everything from air handling units and duct systems to fittings, grilles and fixing material. In other words, the complete package for the HVAC industry (HeatingVentilationAirConditioning).” The company has its main activities in Dublin, including a branch in Cork, and employs about 30 people.

Lindab Aervent has a market share of nearly 25% and is active throughout the whole of the Re-public of Ireland. The calm political climate that now exists across the whole island has also meant that the company’s customers now carry out their work within the Republic’s borders and also in Northern Ireland. “The border has been erased from an eco-nomic point of view and when it comes to making deliveries to Northern Ireland, we now accept help from Lindab UK, which has a branch in Belfast,” continues John Kennedy.

John Kennedy emphasises the company’s very broad product range and excellent stock-keeping as fundamental reasons for the position the company has succeeded in achieving. “Our competent techni-cal support is also of huge significance in this con-text,” he continues. “Of our 30 or so employees, 8 of them make up our technical support team.” Lindab Aervent works with conventional ventilation contractors, but also with larger mechanical and electrical contractors, often in connection with large industrial and commercial projects. In addition, im-portant work is carried out with consultants in order to be able to contribute to Lindab Aervent’s products becoming determined at an early stage.

“We strongly believe that the Lindab brand, and the new products and solutions that we’ve incorpo-rated into the product range will increase our com-petitiveness substantially,” continues John Kennedy. “Lindab was already known on the Irish market prior to the acquisition. Now that we’ve added Lindab’s Comfort range and CADvent, we’ve strengthened the positions with both the major consultancies and the large mechanical and electrical contrac-tors. Quite simply, we’re strengthening our technical ‘presence’.”

Ireland is 95% a Vent Market. This means that the duct systems used lack the rubber seals that distinguish Lindab Safe and Lindab Safe Click.

“The focus now being directed towards more and more energy-saving solutions puts us in a very favourable situation prior to our upcoming launch of Lindab Safe and Lindab Safe Click,” continues John Kennedy. “In addition, the country’s labour costs are on the increase, further contributing to the healthy conditions for a successful launch. Naturally, this will necessitate a huge effort on our behalf to implement training and distribute information, but I’m convinced that we’ll actually contribute to revolutionising the Irish ventilation market, energy and installation. This ‘revolution’ will certainly not take place overnight, but I’m certain that we stand before a very excit-ing and strong period of development for Lindab Aervent. That we’ll be able to offer very interesting new Lindab solutions to all of our three major target groups makes us all extremely enthusiastic about the future.”

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Exciting Lindab development for the doorway to Ireland

With net sales approaching SEK 750 m, Lindab is undoubtedly Great Britain’s leading supplier of duct systems and ventilation products. Through the wide-spread production of ducts and components at four of the company’s major units, and duct production at no

fewer than 15 out of the 25 branches, the compa-ny is better equipped than ever to meet the demands of the market. Since 1 January 2008, Lindab’s ventilation activities in Britain have been led by a new management team that is poised to further strengthen the positions in Great Britain.

“We’re not exactly ‘new’ so to speak,” says

Mike Goodspeed and Iain Robertson who now head the company together, “we’ve both worked at CCL since 1991 and are extremely well-grounded in the work that Geoff Lee and David Barker built-up during their time as leaders of the company.” Mike Goodspeed

has been responsible for activities in northern Eng-land and Scotland for a long time, while Iain Robert-son has managed southern England.

Mike Goodspeed and Iain Robertson take over the business in a very expansive and exciting time. The company’s programme for growth in Britain is in full swing, Lindab Safe Click is awaiting its launch on the British market, and the distribution chain is grad-ually being developed. “We recently opened our new Lindab ‘superstore’ in Kinning Park, Glasgow,” says Mike Goodspeed. “With its 30,000 ft2 surface area, it’s one of the country’s largest facilities of its kind. In 2007, our Bristol and Stockton branches moved to new, more suitable premises and the same will soon happen with Exeter and Sheffield.”

“Through our continuous work to expand and broaden our branch system, we have a distribution network today that is in a class of its own. This means we can deliver a very wide range of products quickly and safely to customers wherever they are in the country,” adds Iain Robertson. “By manufactur-ing ducts locally now at 15 branches, we can offer competitive prices and availability with short delivery

times. Add to this our technical competence and the entirely unique IT-tools we can offer. This gives us the opportunity to support our customers all the way, from choosing the correct products to the ‘just-in-time’ deliveries.”

On the British market, Lindab’s brand is strongly associated with product development and innova-tion. “At the Ductwork Contracting in the 21st Cen-tury symposium, which was arranged by the trade organisation ADCAS/HVCA, we were given the op-portunity to inform people about the benefits of our products from an energy perspective,” continues Mike Goodspeed. “Energy saving is, to put it mildly, central to today’s ventilation agenda. Through the su-perior density that Lindab Safe and Lindab Safe Click represent, we can offer solutions that satisfy not just the demand for more energy-saving solutions, but also the need for cost-effective installation and as-sembly ergonomics.”

New management team heads the Ventilation business area in Great Britain

The staff at Ireland’s Lindab Aervent are delighted to be representing not just the country’s leading distributor of ventilation products, but the Lindab brand as well. The pictures show some of the staff based in Dublin (above) and Cork (below).

Share and stock market informationLindab Direct April 2008

Strong 2007In 2007, Lindab increased its sales by almost 22%, achieved net sales of SEK 9,280 m and an op-erating profit of SEK 1,309 m for the full year. These are the strongest figures that Lindab has ever pre-sented, both in terms of net sales and profit. In light of these strong annual accounts, Lindab’s Board of Directors proposes a dividend increase of 62% to SEK 5.25 per share.

“If we look at the last quarter, we increased our net sales by 15%, of which 10% was organic growth. This is still a high figure, despite the Christmas holi-day where two to three days were lost”, says Nils-Johan Andersson, CFO at Lindab. “Growth was strong in all regions, in particular the Nordic region, which grew by 13%. CEE also grew by 13%, despite the fiscal difficulties that Hungary has been experi-encing. Remove Hungary from the equation and we would have had a growth of 22% in CEE during the 4th quarter. Our growth in Western Europe reached even higher levels at 26%, with half coming from the acquisitions that we made recently.”

The reason for the good results, both for the 4th quarter and the year as a whole, is a strong growth in volume as well as good cost control. “If we were to point to a division that has been a cut above the rest during the fourth quarter, it would be Building Systems without a doubt”, continues Nils-Johan Andersson.

In previous reports, the Group’s capital structure has been one of the areas under the spotlight. “The measures that have been applied have now started to produce clear results and the cash flow rose to SEK 575 m during the 4th quarter, twice as much compared to the previous year”, adds Nils-Johan Andersson. “Above all, this is due to the fact that we have succeeded in lowering our stock levels. Today, our financial position is strong and this is why we propose a healthy dividend increase from SEK 3.25 to SEK 5.25 per share. At the same time, we will be requesting a mandate at the Annual General Meeting to repurchase Lindab shares for an equivalent value of SEK 400 m.”

The Irish distributor of ventilation products, Aer-vent Group, was acquired in October followed by the Finnish manufacturer of metal roof and wall cladding products, Koto-Pelti, in January. “Both companies are now on their way to becoming consolidated into the Group and offer platforms for continued expan-sion in the markets where we are looking to grow”, says Nils-Johan Andersson. “Business is developing positively for our new ventilation factory in Saint Pe-tersburg and we expect to reach break-even during the first quarter of 2008. The construction of our new Building Systems factory north of Moscow is going according to plan and is estimated to be in operation by the turn of the year 2008/2009. Our investment in Ukraine is currently at the stage of finding suitable land for the construction of the new Building Compo-nents factory. Operations should be underway there during the 2nd quarter of 2009.”

The internal cost-effectiveness work within the Group continues to move forward at a brisk pace. The launch of the new Lindab Safe Click duct sys-tem and the new Lindab RdBX stud systems will also continue during 2008. “We have received a lot of positive feedback on both products and we are expecting a surge in our sales figures as the markets start to see the benefits of these new systems”, con-cludes Nils-Johan Andersson.

Key figures 2007Interim report Jan-Dec 2007(same period previous year in brackets)

2008 calendar

2/5 2007

188.00

1/8 2007 1/11 2007 1/2 2008

131.00

1/12 2006 index=100Lindab share OMX

170

115 116

92

192.00

177.00

156

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The Finnish roof and wall cladding company, Koto-Pelti OY, which markets profiled metal roof and wall cladding, roof and facade cladding de-tails as well as rain hoods and ceiling ducts, was acquired in January. The company is located in Kyyjärvi, approximately 140 kilometres east of Vasa, and has net sales of just over € 3 million. The ac-quisition strengthens Lindab’s position within roofing and wall systems on the Finnish market.

“Our objective for the Finnish market is to es-tablish Lindab as one of the leading players within the area of steel roof and wall systems”, says Peter Andsberg, Business Area Manager for Profile. “The acquisition of Koto-Pelti is seen as a link within this process and now gives us the opportunity to offer

specially adapted products directly at the workplace and provide the extended service the customers request.”

Koto-Pelti offers a locally-adapted product range for the Finnish market. In combination with Lindab’s centrally-produced product range, a plat-form is created within the Building Components division in order to develop the sales of complete solutions on the Finnish market. For Lindab, this market has so far essentially dealt with the Group’s Ventilation and Comfort products, a pattern that is now gradually being changed for the better.

Finnish acquisition for Profile

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850

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Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec

12-month rolling period

2006

2007

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Quarterly Rolling period

167

119

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Net sales SEK 9,280 m (7,609) + 22%Operating profit (EBITA) SEK 1,309 m (933) + 40%Operating margin (EBITA) 14.1% (12.3%)Operating profit after tax SEK 247 m (125)Cash flow SEK 875 m (778)

Share value as of at 1 February 2008 SEK 10,311 m

Interim report (Jan-Mar) 7 May, 2008Annual meeting 7 May, 2008Interim report (Jan-Jun) 17 July, 2008

Lindab share

Operating profit, (EBITA) SEK mAdjusted for one-off items

Lindab’s branch in Malmö is the latest in a series of branches to receive a brand-new store. It is now possible to display the range of tools, articles, mounting materials, etc. offered by Lindab as a complement to the product range in a much better way. “I won’t try and claim it’s a revolution, but it certainly makes a visit here much more enjoyable and well worth the ef-fort,” says Staffan Hansson, Branch Manager at Lindab in Fosie. “It’s now easier for customers to find the products and the material they need and to discover products that they perhaps didn’t even know we had.”

“The new Lindab store is excellent”, says Tommy Salonen from Totalplåt, who is there so often that he has followed the entire change process. Ken Månsson and Ronnie Person from Totalplåt’s sister company, Sydtotal, agree. “It works well because now it’s possible to pick the necessary items and the material yourself and, with everything displayed on the shelves, there’s a better overview of what exists in Lindab’s product range.”

In brief Lindab Direct April 2008

In January, Lindab signed a five-year contract for the naming rights to the new arena in Ängelholm, the heart of ice hockey in north-west Skåne, and, moreover, the home of Rögle BK, the local team as-piring to join the Elitserien. “It feels completely right to support local sports and leisure initiatives”, says Kjell Åkesson, CEO and Group President at Lindab. “To give the name Lindab Arena to the type of complete building system that we deliver across the whole of Europe feels entirely appropriate.”

“The new Lindab Arena will truly become a completely new and exciting ice hockey arena,” says Svante Paulsson of Arenabolaget who is responsible for the whole project. “We’re raising the entire roof in order to create more space, building new facades and reconstructing large parts of the facility. At the same time, we want to maintain the character that’s made the arena so highly-appreciated by both the crowd and the players. The old Rögle Arena, which now becomes the Lindab Arena, is well-known for its fantastic atmosphere and the ‘pressure’ that’s cre-ated during the matches.” During the planning that preceded the reconstruction, many resources were used to help retain the arena’s sound and acous-tics, despite the rather considerable changes being

made. Peab is the building contractor and, not sur-prisingly, materials and products from Lindab will be used to the greatest possible extent.

After a brief period in the Elitserien (Sweden’s equivalent of the NHL) in the mid 1990s, Rögle BK is now setting its sights on a return to Swedish ice hockey’s elite. “If a bid for reaching the Elitserien is to be made, a few essential pieces of the puzzle are required,” continues Svante Paulsson. “There must be an active youth programme and the training facili-ties to deal with it. In 2005, we accomplished this when we constructed our Gripenhallen training arena, which, by the way, is a complete Lindab arena. The second important prerequisite is an arena that attracts both the public and commercial interest. Quite simply, we need to increase our revenue from sponsorship and offer trade and industry new and interesting forms of cooperation. We’re competing with a bunch of sports channels that are accessible in most living rooms, so it’s important to be able to offer excitement, atmosphere and emotion, provid-ing our crowd with so much more. It’s important to create a complete experience, where ice hockey naturally takes centre stage, but where a multitude of other experiences and peripheral events contribute

to good revenue from crowds and sponsorship. If we can become the natural meeting place for both an ice hockey-obsessed public and an ice hockey-engrossed trade and industry, then we’ve achieved our first objective. If we can then reach the Elitserien, partly as a result of these investments, then it’ll be like a real smack into the top corner.”

The investment currently being made by Aren-abolaget stands at SEK 140 m. “We’re absolutely delighted to succeed in putting together a contract for the naming rights with Lindab,” concludes Svante Paulsson. “It was exactly the kind of arrangement we were hoping for. A company with local roots and a strong, well-known and international brand.”

Rögle’s new arena becomes the Lindab Arena

Once the reconstruction of the current arena has been completed, the new Lindab Arena will be fully suited to the Elitserien, holding 5,045 spectators. “The demands placed on an Elitserien arena are huge, but with new conference facilities, 25 comfortable boxes, a restaurant, bars and a significant increase in the number of toilets, the Lindab Arena will have no problem qualifying as one of Sweden’s best arenas,” says Svante Paulsson of Arenabolaget and member of the Board at Rögle BK.

New store at Sweden’s second largest Lindab branch

Tommy Salonen (top) from Totalplåt likes the new store at Lindab’s Malmö branch in Fosie. So does Gunder Jönsson (bottom) from Trelleborg Luftteknik and Ken Månsson (left) from Sydtotal.

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“A true innovation!”

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Malmö-based VEAB Ventilation Entreprenad has been a customer of Lindab’s for a long time. “The fact that Lindab is our main supplier is partly down to price of course,” says Sten Mortensen, MD at VEAB. “Nevertheless, our strong relation-ship with Lindab and the excellent service and quality that Lindab provides undoubt-edly play a large part. For example, punc-tual delivery is of the utmost importance for the MKB installation. Lindab has handled this superbly and, what is more, it’s been interesting to see how the new Lindab Safe Click system works for us. So far, it’s exceeded expectations.”

VEAB recently celebrated 25 years in the ventilation business and has primarily worked with contractors over the course of these years. “Today, we’ve expanded the business to also comprise service and technical maintenance,” adds Sten Mortensen. “This means that we now have OVK (Obligatory Ventilation Inspection) authorisation as well as competence within elec-tricity and automatic control engineering. This gives us the opportunity to monitor customers and their properties as well as the installation work itself.”

“Our Lindab salesperson, Christian Lanz, has presented Lindab Safe Click to me and I think that the system looks distinctly innova-tive,” continues Sten Mortensen. “It’s great when something new happens in our reasonably static business. Naturally, our hope is to simplify assem-bly for our boys with fewer work elements and quicker installation. We can noticeably cut down

the time spent working on certain projects and, as we start to learn the system, the benefits really start to increase.”

“Lindab Safe Click is perfectly suited to our installation work at MBK,” agrees Johan Lundqvist, responsible for production at VEAB. “As mentioned previously, it’s important to be able to make full use of the system’s functions and, for this job, the duct’s air flow is very well suited to Lindab Safe Click. In addition, the SR Cutter, with its in-built gauge rod, is an excep-tional tool what with many duct sections being of the same length. We will now try out the system for other installations and assess the results.”

The installation work for MKB that comprises a total of 232 apartments will be carried out over a two year period. VEAB’s installation work has reached just over half way.

The fitters, Lars Olsson, Kenneth Björk and Niclas Dahlman, are clearly positive about the new Lindab Safe Click system. “What with ris-ers for 232 apartments, there will be a very large amount of ducts to be assembled. By being able to click the majority of them firmly together, the work will be both quicker and simpler,” says Lars Olsson who is responsible for the assem-bly work. “Nevertheless, the simplified cutting and measurement of the ducts made possible by the SR Cutter is what saves the most time during this job. We really spare our backs by avoiding having to crawl about on the floor to cut, and when there are thousands of cuts to be made, such as here, this is a great relief.” “What’s more, the SR Cutter is easy to move,” concludes Kenneth Björk. “It’s a long-awaited tool that really works!”

WHAT Home ventilation in 232 apartments for MKB Malmö Kommunala Bostadsbolag

CUSTOMER VEAB Ventilation Entreprenad AB

WHERE Malmö, Sweden


The fitters at VEAB are extremely satisfied with

the new Lindab Safe Click system and, espe-

cially, with the SR Cutter, which has considerably simplified the cutting of

thousands of ducts.

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Click-assembly with new ideaWe have previously reported about the first positive Lindab Safe Click customer experiences in Switzerland and Germany. Now, we turn our attention towards Sweden, presenting three views about Lindab Safe Click assembly in practice. Read about how Sydtotal and Veab in Malmö as well as LP Ventilation in Ulricehamn experienced their first installations using Lindab Safe Click.

“It’s important that our fitters learn to work with Lindab Safe Click and find the right methodology in order to get the most out of the system. Hence, it’s important that we proceed by trial and error ourselves, however it’s also important to have the continued strong support from Lindab,” says VEAB’s MD, Sten Mortensen (right), here together with Christian Lanz, Lindab.

“One day instead of two!”

Christian Lanz, salesperson at Lindab and Peter Bygde, team leader at Sydtotal, inspecting parts of the installation at Ljunghusen Golf Club. “If we can achieve the time savings that Lindab promises, then this is quite obviously an interesting system. In addition, we must learn how to best make use of the system ourselves, when and where we should ‘click’ and where we should screw,” says Peter Bygde.

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There are large jobs and there are small jobs. Sydtotal’s ventilation installation for Ljunghusen Golf Club’s clubhouse extension is certainly not one of the large ones. A delivery of only 153 m of Lindab Safe Click ducts speaks for itself. Nevertheless, small installations must also be done effectively and efficiently, hence it was interesting to hear about Sydtotal’s experiences from one of their first Click-installations.

“To be honest, when I first heard about Lindab’s new Lindab Safe Click, I thought it sounded a bit strange,” says Peter Bygde, team leader at Sydtotal and responsible for the instal-lation at Ljunghusen Golf Club. “Now that we’ve carried out the installation and tested Lindab Safe Click, I must admit that the system does

have potential and I feel increasingly positive. It’s partly got a lot to do with learning about what’s the best way to work with Lindab Safe Click and partly to do with how the SR Cutter is most appropriately placed in the workplace.”

“Some of our fitters are very positive, whilst others see drawbacks. I believe, though, that this is very much a generational issue, with the younger fitters finding it easier to pick up new methods,” says Peter Bygde. “However, the fit-ters that worked on the Ljunghusen job were very satisfied with both Safe Click and the SR Cutter and, since the installation could be carried out in one day instead of two as planned, one has to admit that Lindab Safe Click has huge benefits. Though, as I mentioned earlier, it’s important to make use of the system so that the benefits can be properly harnessed!”

WHAT Minor ventilation installation for the extension of Ljunghusen Golf Club

CUSTOMER Sydtotal

WHERE Ljunghusen, Sweden

WHAT Installation of home ventilation for Hökerum Bygg

CUSTOMER Larsa & Per Ventilation

WHERE Borås, Sweden

Lars-Göran Fridh and Per Ohlson have run Larsa & Per Ventilation, or LP Ventilation, since 2000. Their main customer is the Ulricehamn-based Hökerum Bygg, for which LP Ventilation carries out all types of ventilation instal-lations. The 63 apartments in which they are currently installing ventilation is actually their second Lindab Safe Click installation, and the positive impressions they received the first time have been strengthened even further.

“When Åke Larsson at Lindab in Jönköping demonstrated Lindab Safe Click to us, we real-ised immediately that this would simplify and improve our entire work situation,” says Per

Ohlson. “When we install risers, as in this case, the work becomes so much easier it is unbeliev-able. Since we often work separately on this type of installation, we now avoid having to adopt many uncomfortable working positions, where it used to be necessary to use our knees, chins and mouths to hold the tools. Now it’s just a case of clicking the duct firmly together and it’s ready!”

Each apartment has its own riser up to the roof’s collection container and the risers from the very bottom apartments have to pass the 6 floors through the ventilation shaft. “Sometimes we have to add a few pop rivets, but we try to take full advantage of the ‘click’ locking mecha-nism as much as possible. We’ve saved many precious hours on this and, overall, certainly reduced the installation time by 20%,” continues

an extremely satisfied Per Ohlson. “It’s partly down to the swiftness in assembly and partly down to the fact that you can work much more effectively and easily on your own.”

“The SR Cutter spares our backs and makes the whole cutting and indenting process simple and precise,” concludes Per Ohlson. “As the new smaller, detachable indenting pliers have now arrived and we soon get Lindab Safe Click in dimensions up to 315mm, the system will be even better and more practical. Lindab can then fix the steering of the nibbling machine’s articulated shaft so that it doesn’t lock in certain positions and the SR Cutter will become as good as perfect.”

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“Unbelievably excellent!”

Anders Johansson (left) and Per Ohlson (right) think that the new Safe Click system and the SR Cutter are great. “Quicker, easier and more ergonomic,” says Per Ohlson, “what is more, we can now work effectively on our own.” 9



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WHAT The launch and transition to the new Lindab Safe Click

WHO The Lindab Air Duct Systems Development Department

Retained benefits with added assembly gains

Lindab’s new Lindab Safe Click duct system is now being installed in more and more markets with quicker, easier and more ergonomic assembly as a result.

The transition to Lindab’s new Lindab Safe Click duct system is currently in full swing in most of the company’s markets. If you take a quick look at a new 3 metre ventilation duct, you will perhaps notice no change at all. If you take a look at a 90° bend, a T-piece or any other duct component, you will definitely not see a difference. That is unless you have a magnifying glass. However, the small stamped out indents at the end of every factory-made duct and the minimally adjusted fold in each component’s end provides, nonetheless, a completely new and much easier method for assembling and installing duct systems. But, and this is the beauty of it, none of the previ-ous benefits of Lindab Safe have disap-peared. Lindab Safe Click has everything. Plus much, much more.

“When we developed Lindab Safe Click, we knew that a few fitters would raise their eye-brows and say ‘will I now need to change my working methods that have worked well for me for many years?”, says Lars-Åke Mattsson, Lindab’s Development Manager for the Air Duct Systems product area. “Therefore, it’s important to understand the philosophy behind Lindab Safe Click. It’s simply built on the fact that we want to simplify construction and make it more ergonomic and easier to work for the fitters. The system’s benefits should be exploited as often as possible. It’s always possible to add an extra screw, rivet or an extra suspension for particularly difficult passages or when a part of the system needs to be locked tight.”

What is certain is that the Lindab Safe Click system offers huge benefits for all types of instal-lations in dimensions up to 315mm such as for home and office ventilation, in false ceilings, in risers, etc.

“We’ve received an incredibly large, positive response from installation contractors and fitters about the benefits of Lindab Safe Click,” con-tinues Lars-Åke Mattsson, “but also some ques-tions and objections. These have often revolved around the problems associated with disassem-bling a ‘clicked-together’ joint. It’s true, if all the indents have been locked tight, then the duct and the component are firmly connected to each other. The trick, however, is not to push them together and lock them tight before you are sure that the assembly is correct or wait before add-ing indents to the cut ducts until you are sure of the assembly. If however you should need to separate a connection, you can use a drill to drill out two of the indents, almost as you would with Lindab Safe today when removing screws prior to disassembling. But then again, a lot has to do with learning how to work with the system and make full use of its benefits.”

During installation, it is not uncommon for the fitter to fit a component one or a few degrees askew, so that the angle of the duct is actually at 88° and not 90°. “Just like before, it’s possible to fit a 90° bend or any other Lindab Safe Click component a little askew,” explains Lars-Åke Mattsson. “As long as the rubber seal is not vis-ible, the system remains airtight, but, of course, one or several screws must be put in place since not all the indents would have been able to lock tight.”

Lindab’s new SR Cutter is an important part of the system that Lindab Safe Click con-stitutes. “However, it’s not only a work station that simplifies measuring, gives right-angles and precise cutting and has tools for the indenting of ducts that have been cut. It also provides fit-ters with an ergonomic workplace that has so far been missing”, adds Lars-Åke Mattsson. “What’s more, we’ve attained CE marking for the SR Cutter, and we have improved it further

through the addition of a handle that simplifies its movement and a cable mounting for the nib-bling machine. In addition, the indenting tool itself has been improved and is now the size of a pair of plate shears, making it easy to carry and possible to make indents on the spot when nec-essary during the assembly itself.” Furthermore, a roll cradle has been launched for duct dimen-sions of 400mm and larger. By placing a large duct in two roll cradles directly on the floor, the duct can be conveniently rolled around and cut without the fitter having to change position.

“When we developed Lindab Safe Click, our objective was to further simplify, improve and speed up the assembly of duct systems,” concludes Lars-Åke Mattsson. “We now hope that our customers can quickly learn how to use the new system and fully take advantage of Lindab Safe Click. If you have any questions or thoughts, the local branch or Lindab salesperson is the right place and person to turn to. We’re all for our customers being able to simplify con-struction, that’s how simple it is!”

The new flexible – and detachable – indenting pliers make indenting, during assembly, simple and uncomplicated.

The new roll cradle for large duct dimensions increases the cutting ergonomics to include all dimensions.

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Six tips and techniques for smart Lindab Safe Click assembly

1. When dealing with S-shaped bends, use non-indented ducts first.2. If indented ducts are used, test them first without clicking together the parts.3. Disassemble and cut if required. Put them together again and click shut.4. For tips and help, see Lindab’s brochure on S-shaped bends.


Perform a trial assembly before clicking together

1. Use SNPU slide-in coupling or SMFU slide-in female coupling, for example. Used in order to reduce cutting and simplify the mounting of devices in e.g. false ceilings.

Use adjustable components

1. Insert the next part slightly askew, but make sure that the rubber seal is not visible.2. Add a screw or pop rivet where the indents have not clicked shut.

Corner from an angle and non-straight walls

Stable and straight duct hangers

Disassemble joints

The connection must be locked

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1. Mount the duct hangers in a straight line and so that they are as close to each joint as possible.2. If more support is required, put in a few screws.

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1. “Drill out” the front indents.2. Cut off the end of the duct with the SR Cutter and reassemble or seal the holes on the duct.

1. In circumstances where the assembly has to be locked, such as when a bend on a duct curves down towards the floor.2. Put up the first duct hanger, assemble the bend and then lock the connection using a screw or a rivet. 6

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“Full speed ahead” for Gazelle CompanyLW Plåtslageri introduces industrial way of thinking in the tinsmith industry

Imagine a company that has increased its number of employees from 30 to 90 in five years and has increased its turnover from SEK 30 m to just over SEK 100 m. A company that defines financial objectives, creates a clear personnel policy and places enormous focus on purchasing and logistics and, what is more, redefines the method of working in a traditional industry that is several hundred years old. Tinsmith work would perhaps not be your first choice if you were to guess which industry, but when the company is called LW Plåtslageri, you can stop guess-ing. The fact that the company is also a Gazelle Company*, the question “how did this happen?” is inevitably asked.

It is not by chance that LW Plåtslageri in Tyresö, just outside Stockholm, has successfully achieved all this. “One could well describe ‘old’ LW, the company my brother, another compan-ion and I started in 1987, as a traditional tinsmith business,” says Magnus Lefvert, CEO and princi-pal owner of the company.

“After much digression and drifting into other industries, a decision was taken in 2002 that I’ve never regretted. My board of directors challenged me to make large changes in the business and to start thinking in new directions. I became extremely obstinate, but after consider-ing it for a while, I rang the board, apologised for reacting so strongly and explained that I com-pletely agreed with their intentions. It was then that the new LW saw the light of day.” Together with the board of directors and the then newly appointed Financial Manager, Åke Jernström – who today is one of three joint owners – the foundations were laid for LW’s new method of working and business model.

“We asked ourselves how we could change the tinsmith trade, increase our efficiency and create a platform for the future,” continues Magnus Lefvert. “An increase in specialisation and industrialisation was what we saw as impor-tant parts of the solution. Therefore, we divided our production up into three clear occupational groups: tinsmiths, installation engineers and

WHAT Industrial way of thinking in productive Lindab cooperation

CUSTOMER LW Plåtslageri, Tyresö

Pontus Hasselblad, one of LW’s installation engineers at the Cirkusplatsen block, likes working for LW and thinks that it is great that the material con-stantly comes to him, rather than having to go to the material.


Lindab’s attitude is ‘nothing is impossible’. This is some-thing that applies to both their delivery service and support, but also to questions about how we can develop certain product solutions.

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“Full speed ahead” for Gazelle CompanyLW Plåtslageri introduces industrial way of thinking in the tinsmith industry

The process begins at LW’s work-shop where the sheet metal is cut, bent, seamed and processed into finished components.

LW’s vans deliver the mate-rial to the building site at the rate required by the installation team for each construction in order to maintain continuity in the work. In the picture below, finished window ledges and facade details are being delivered to JM’s housing con-struction at the Cirkusplatsen block in Sollentuna.

* The distinction awarded by the industry and trade newspaper, Dagens Industri, to fast growing companies.

works personnel. Now we deliver all components from here, ready for onsite use, directly to our installation engi-neers and tinsmiths at each workplace and avoid all the yo-yoing around between the construction site and the tinsmith facility in order to fetch material and compo-nents. We can plan the use of our mechanical equipment for the day in a completely different way. Furthermore, we avoid the old queues at the machines in the morn-ing when everyone was in to prepare their work for the place of delivery. As our on-site foremen are equipped with PCs, they can easily fax or e-mail measurements and specifications on additional orders to our production unit from the construction site.”

Magnus Lefvert describes LW as a company that sel-dom turns down requests, and as one that eagerly takes on new assignments and tries to see the opportunities instead of the problems. “An absolutely crucial factor in our concept of success is the personnel’s commitment and participation. On my business card it says MD, it’s true, but our personnel policy is very clear – here we work with shared responsibility based on each person’s skills. This shared responsibility also increases personal responsibil-ity and all of us here are extremely keen to perform our tasks to the best of our ability.”

LW Plåtslageri’s primary focus is roofing, but they carry out all types of assignments within tinsmith work and construction. “Our competitive advantage is our distinct industrialisation,” explains Magnus Lefvert. “We have a complete systemised production system and can therefore carry out effective and well-timed installation work onsite where we continually transport ready-bent and ready-measured material while the installation is in progress. This way, we avoid dead time and can be effec-tive, from morning to night.”

One large part of purchasing includes standing seam roofing, flat sheet metal and roof drainage, with Lindab as the only supplier. “Since we have an agreement with Lindab, we decline all jobs where other suppliers are stipulated,” says Magnus Lefvert. “They have an excellent product range, the branch in Johanneshov provides sound and professional service and we feel very well taken care of. In addition, the contact we have with Joakim Lönnberg at Lindab regarding more long-term issues is very worthwhile.”

LW’s industrial venture has created the need for standing seam roofing deliveries on a larger scale. “For a while now, we’ve been getting the majority of our sheet

metal delivered in 4-tonne rolls, instead of the normal 250 kg rolls,” says Christer Persson, Purchaser at LW Plåtslageri. “This means fewer roll changes and less wastage since we’re only using one roll and not sixteen as before. We’re constantly aware of the optimal order points due to our order storage system.”

Today, LW has a professional purchasing function that has efficiency and industrialisation at its heart. The purchases of sheet metal made from Lindab for the year correspond to 110,000 m2 and, in addition to this, there is Lindab Rainline and other products from Lindab’s product range. “We’ve reduced the number of suppliers and chosen to work with those who have really shown an interest in developing our joint future,” continues Christer Persson. “In 2006, it was an extremely large step for us when we decided to change to Lindab from another large sheet metal supplier.”

Åke Jernström, the Financial Manager, sees this sup-plier cooperation as an important part of LW’s industri-alisation and specialisation. “It gives us the opportunity to further develop our works production and offer other tinsmith companies the opportunity for the delivery of pre-treated material to their builders,” he says. “This is certainly a traditional line of business, but certain tin-smith companies have already realised that they can buy refined sheet metal components from us, both with a higher standard of quality and at a lower cost.”

Making effective use of the personnel is something that the Personnel Manager, Tina Ohlsson, emphasises. “The more prepared the material that reaches the build-ing site is, the less our tinsmiths need to get hold of in order to adapt,” she says. “This means that a normal installation team present on our work sites consists of one tinsmith and several installation engineers. Despite the lack of competent tinsmiths, and being able to train installation engineers more easily ourselves, we’ve been able to continue to grow at a fast rate. We’ve changed the tinsmith’s role into that of team leader, problem solver and mentor. I believe that a huge chunk of the key to our success lies in exactly this – that we’ve succeeded in creat-ing a culture and an environment where the process of change feels like an entirely natural part of the work, and which has given everyone – the personnel, the manage-ment and the customers – a much improved LW.”

Industrial way of thinking in productive Lindab cooperation

LW Plåtslageri, Tyresö

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As you read this, the great Swedish launch of Lindab’s new RdBX stud will have just taken place at Nordbygg 2008 in Stockholm. Or perhaps more correctly, part of the launch, because as with all product launches that aspire to be suc-cessful, a whole bat-tery of measures and effort is required in order to put across the message and entice the craftsmen to start trying. “And when RdBX has been tried, I believe that a lot will simply happen automatically,” says Johan Andersson, the optimistic Product Manager for Construline at Lindab.

The RdBX stud is first being launched on the markets in Sweden and Norway. “Today, we produce RdBX studs in dimensions of 70, 75, 95, 100 and 120mm and have replaced our stock of old RdB studs,” continues Johan Andersson. “The first reactions in Norway have been very positive and, without exaggeration, it can be said that RdBX is already working like clockwork there now. When it comes to both Sweden and Norway, these products travel to a great extent via the building materials trade. This is why it takes time before the new stud ‘shows up’ at the dealers. As RdBX now starts to reach the users, the reactions will start to roll in and we’re quite convinced that the typical craftsman will be attracted by the promises we make and will therefore opt to try the new RdBX stud.”

The promises made in the new RdBX campaign are quicker, more flexible and better ergonomics. “And that’s exactly what RdBX is about,” continues Johan Andersson. “In the cam-paign material, we use a number of elements that reappear in all types of material. One of them

is the clock that shows ‘RdBX-time’, and since our tests have shown that the installation can be done in half the time, there’s a lot of time to spare when every wall is done. Hence, we thought that we could double the hours indicated and create a completely new

clock face.” All of us at some time have wished that the day contained more hours. Now this can be a reality for the craftsmen who choose RdBX.

Plans are currently being worked out for the continued launch of RdBX on other markets in the Nordic region as well as CEE and Western Europe. “All market introductions must be car-ried out in the correct way and be adapted to the local conditions and, moreover, with local pro-duction of RdBX. In CEE, for example, the cost of labour is still low, even if it is on the rise, and workplace ergonomics is still not exactly high on the agenda”, concludes Johan Andersson. “However, in time, we naturally believe that RdBX will constitute an attractive and effective alternative on these markets too.”

In the next issue of Lindab Direct we will present a full report on the launch at Nordbygg.

The campaign material ranges from so-called teasers and direct marketing to a wide range of shop material and trade press advertisements. “The central elements in the campaign are the film and the campaign page that show the speed, flexibility and ergonomics of RdBX,” says Johan Andersson, Product Manager for Construline.

Time is ripe for

RdBX

www.lindab.se/rdbx

WHAT Release of the new RdBX stud

CUSTOMER Craftsmen in the building sector

WHERE Sweden and Norway

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Lindab Rainline has been chosen to rep-resent environmentally friendly roof drain-age systems in a spectacular way, to say the least. It is the task of Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, to actively involve and encourage Londoners through the “No. 1 Lower Carbon Drive” project to pur-sue a more environmentally friendly way of living. “Our goal is to reduce London’s CO and CO2 emissions by 500,000 tonnes a year from 2010,” said Ken Livingstone when he inaugurated the No. 1 Lower Carbon Drive exhibition in the middle of Trafalgar Square at the beginning of December 2007.

The exhibition consists of a full-scale house full of technology and material displaying solu-tions for helping to reduce carbon emissions. The name No. 1 Lower Carbon Drive reveals quite clearly the aim of the exhibition. In the Mayor’s Climate Change Action Plan, the Mayor of London has set the objective of reducing annu-al emissions of carbon compounds in London by 500,000 tonnes a year from 2010. “One of the largest sources of Great Britain’s carbon mon-oxide and carbon dioxide emissions, quite sim-ply, is our way of living,” says Andrew Scoones, Director of the London Development Agency Building Centre, who has been responsible for the construction of No. 1 Lower Carbon Drive. “Therefore, it is important that we can expose new technologies and materials that can break this trend and offer consumers and house-owners guidance in these issues. The exhibition presents the latest technologies and materials within this field and shows how good insulation and ventila-tion, for example, does not only produce environ-mental benefits, but economic benefits too.”

Many of the products displayed in the exhi-bition are selected from The Building Centre’s Green Guide to Eco-products, a “green list” that

covers everything from low-energy filament lamps and short flush toilets to solar panels and environmentally correct materials. “Behind Lindab Rainline being chosen as the representa-tive for environmentally correct roof drainage systems stands the group of architects at the architectural company, AOC, who have been responsible for the layout and design of the exhibition,” says Jonathan Fennell, Lindab UK. “They already had good experience of Lindab Rainline and since our roof drainage system in galvanised steel is an environmentally friendly alternative, the choice was straightforward from their perspective.”

Knowledge about Lindab Rainline is steadily rising in Great Britain. “We can see how sales are increasing from month to month and we can also revel in very positive feedback from contractors, consultants and house-owners,” adds Jonathan Fennell. “We look forward to a very prosperous year and the publicity and attention that No. 1 Lower Carbon Drive has already received will fur-ther establish us on the British roof drainage map.”

No. 1 Lower Carbon Drive has now moved from Trafalgar Square and is currently “touring” Greater London prior to permanently being set up at The Building Centre’s premises in central London.

Green environmental initiative in London puts the spotlight on Lindab Rainline

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It wasn’t just Lord Nelson who had the opportunity to inspect new, interesting technologies and solu-tions for more environmentally friendly living during December.

At the No. 1 Lower Carbon Drive exhibition in Trafalgar Square, tens of thousands of Londoners were able to acquaint themselves with Lindab Rainline, a considerably more environmentally friendly roof drainage system than the plastic and zinc systems that are still so common in the UK.

No. 1 Lower Carbon Drive

WHAT London Development Agency uses Lindab Rainline in British environmental campaign

CUSTOMER The Building Centre for London Development Agency

WHERE Greater London, Great Britain

360°solution for cooling and ventilation

Early in 2007, the need to modernise the premises leased by the international IT company Steria from the property owner of KS Tonsbakken 18 was recognised. The ventilation and indoor climate solution was also taken into consideration. Several problems could be solved with the help of Lindab’s new Plexus chilled beam.

Steria is one of Europe’s 10 largest IT serv-ices providers with a turnover of around SEK 1,650 m and approximately 18,000 employ-ees. Extensive experience of large, complex IT projects has created an organisation with a broad expert knowledge in the service, development and operation of total solutions within IT. The Danish part of the business is located in Skovlunde, just outside the centre of Copenhagen. Over 120 employees work there on a range of hefty IT assignments for custom-ers such as Falck, DaimlerChrysler and Nordea. A central part of the work is also made up of assignments commissioned by public sector clients such as the Danish Tax Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, the City of Copenhagen and the Danish Road Directorate.

“In the summer of 2007, preparatory work was carried out relating to the renovation and extension work that would be initiated later on during the year,” explains Morten Villingshøj at Villingshøj & Messerschmidt Klimateknik,

WHAT Indoor climate system for major office renovation

CUSTOMER Villingshøj & Messerschmidt Klimateknik

WHERE Copenhagen, Denmark

How the new Plexus chilled beam provides both a better indoor climate and more space

From the left, Elmer Sørensen, representative from the property owner for KS Tonsbakken 18, Jesper Nystrup, Technical Salesperson at Lindab and Morten Villingshøj at Villingshøj & Messerschmidt Klimateknik in Steria’s newly-renovated premises.

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which is responsible for all the indoor climate installations. “Back then Steria expressed the desire for the ventilation to be improved, but also for the ceiling to be raised if possible in order to provide more space in the premises.”

The need for cooling functions also shot up the agenda after a visit from Steria’s French group executive board on the hottest summer day of last year. This led to Steria contacting its regular supplier of chilled air, who suggested the installation of a large number of separate air-conditioners in the premises. These, however, would hang down approximately 15 centimetres from the ceiling, which would reduce some of the raised ceiling effect. Furthermore, the instal-lation would be considerably more complicated. “This led to us being asked to amend our pro-posal so that it also included cooling,” continues Morten Villingshøj. “After a few brief discussions with Jesper Nystrup at Lindab, we decided that their new Plexus chilled beam would be able to solve several problems at once. With an optimal dispersion pattern of 360°, a very good cool-ing effect through the chilled beam’s induction technology and a small construction height in an aesthetically pleasing form, we could kill three birds with one stone.” When Morten Villingshøj presented the Plexus solution and its benefits to Steria’s management, they made a quick decision to take the proposed route.

The renovation of Steria’s approximately 3,000 m2 premises in Skovlunde is taking place in three stages. The first has been completed, the second is currently in progress and the third will be finalised during the year. “In addi-tion to Plexus, Lindab supplies the whole duct system, which we’ve drawn and dimensioned in CADvent, a construction tool we wouldn’t want to be without. The system demonstrated its strength in this situation as we could replace the

original ventilation apparatus with the Plexus chilled beams quickly and easily, and work-out accurately measured positions for each separate chilled beam,” adds Morten Villingshøj.

Villingshøj & Messerschmidt Klimateknik is a young and fast growing mechanical and electri-cal contractor with about 15 employees, mainly focusing on reconstruction and renovation work similar to that being carried out for Steria. “The reason why we chose to work with Lindab within ventilation and climate technology is because they provide us with excellent service and offer products with the quality and functions we require,” continues Morten Villingshøj. “Perhaps we could have bought the products somewhat cheaper elsewhere, but I know that Jesper Nystrup and the team at Lindab give us the help we need. Furthermore, we can keep the amount of suppliers down since Lindab has such a wide product range.”

When the introduction of Plexus was first due to take place in the final phase of the first reno-vation stage, the entire ductwork and installa-tion was prepared as much as possible. “We had really used a lot of resources to ensure every-thing would run smoothly and when we received the 70 or so Plexus chilled beams just before Christmas, the entire installation only took four days,”, says Morten Villingshøj contentedly. “It demonstrated how easy to install Plexus is, as well as how we could prepare and plan the installation with the help of CADvent in a first-class way. By using chilled beams, the existing fan units could also be kept, since 20 litres of supplied air creates a cooling effect equivalent to 100 litres of air.”

“You can really feel how much better and fresher the air is in this newly-renovated part of the premises,” says Elmer Sørensen, representa-tive for the property owner of KS Tonsbakken 18.

We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from our personnel and if you compare it to how it was prior to the renovation, the differences are huge, both when it comes to the premises and the indoor climate.

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“Furthermore, the ventilation is now completely quiet meaning that our lessees avoid disturbing noises.” Villingshøj & Messerschmidt performed a sound calculation in CADvent and were able to flexibly dimension the silencers for the entire system.

Morten Bech, Project Director at Steria and responsible for their Danish operations, is also very satisfied with the renovation work of the first stage. “We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from our personnel and if you com-pare it to how it was prior to the renovation, the differences are huge, both when it comes to the premises and the indoor climate. The solution that we finally decided on, and in which Morten Villingshøj integrated Lindab Plexus, is proving to be a very good choice. The whole process of renovating in phases has worked very well and now we look forward to stage two being finalised and stage three being finished later this year.”

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Plexus’s small construction height and the potential for it to be placed close to the concrete beam made it possible to have an installation which unites aesthetics with an increase in space and well-dimensioned cooling and ventilation.

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SLS Gruppen is a Gothenburg-based, nationwide contractor focusing primarily on ceilings, sandwich panels and wall systems. The relationship with Lindab goes back six years and is concentrated around various types of lightweight build-ing products such as exterior wall and partition wall studs. Currently, Lindab delivers to five different SLS projects, of which Riksbyggen’s Venus block in cen-tral Gothenburg is the largest. Lindab has also recently delivered the very first RdBX studs to SLS for its work on Alingsås municipality’s new rehabilitation centre.

During the second half of 2007, SLS bought exterior wall and partition wall studs from Lindab for a wall area close to 30,000 m2, of which the majority were marked out and in ready-made lengths. “These volumes are a little different to how it was when we started in 1987,” says Peter Setälä, one of three co-partners and owner of SLS Gruppen. “Today, there are about 60 of us working here focusing on ceilings, sand-wich panels and lightweight building systems. For lightweight building systems, we work mainly with various types of housing projects where we can offer quality and guaranteed delivery that appeal to our customers.”

“Because we’re committed to providing quality, the choice of supplier and the coopera-tion with them is important. It has a lot to do with working with all the cards on the table in order to be able to put together the best solution possible for the end customer,” continues Peter Setälä. “We often visit the end customers togeth-er with Lindab and can therefore present a more thoroughly worked out solution, from construc-tion to finished installation.”

In all Lindab deliveries concerning material for curtain walls, the construction is made with the help of Lindab’s IT tool, ADT Tools. “This means that our installation engineers, here in the factory, receive a complete drawing of each ele-ment. This makes it an industrial process for us, together with the ready-cut lengths, with all the benefits it brings,” adds Peter Setälä. “There are, of course, important reasons for why we chose Lindab, but the most important perhaps is the close relationship we have with them. If we ask a question, we receive an answer, and as they are responsible for providing the answers, this suits us perfectly. Lindab are excellent at orderliness.”

SLS Gruppen is one of the first customers to use the new RdBX stud. “We put in a number of partition walls using RdBX when we reno-vated and reconstructed Kvarnbacka School in

Alingsås into a rehabilitation centre and old peo-ple’s home,” continues Peter Setälä. “We tested the RdBX stud on a smaller scale together with the new c/c-marked runner and both worked superbly. Of course, Kvarnbacka School was a renovation job where it was sometimes necessary to adapt the lengths of the studs on site. I believe that RdBX will give us the greatest benefits when it comes to new construction, despite being very skilled at interior wall installation and doing it very efficiently already. However, as I said, the new RdBX stud bodes well, especially with the new telescopic function and the new marked-out runner. We will now test both products on a larg-er scale on a new construction in Örebro.”

“I’ve always ‘pinched’ the studs tight in the runner using pliers, but I thought RdBX worked well and with the c/c-marked runner, we’ll save a lot of time,” says Kent-Ove Sämdahl, instal-lation engineer at SLS Gruppen, talking about the 15 or so partition walls he has installed at Kvarnbacka School with the help of the RdBX stud. “It was easy to get down onto the floor and just press down the stud tight using the hammer and this is why I believe the future looks bright for both the stud and the runner.”

WHAT Exterior wall studs for curtain walls and the RdBX stud for reconstruction work

CUSTOMER SLS Gruppen, Gothenburg

WHERE Gothenburg and Alingsås

Sound solutions and good relationships

SLS Gruppen supplies all the curtain walls, which are manufactured with the help of Lindab’s exterior wall studs, for Riksbyggen’s large housing projects in Gothenburg.

The curtain walls are assembled at SLS’s produc-tion facilities in Hisings-Kärra and are placed on large lifting yokes that take up to ten wall elements. These are then driven to the building site in trucks and directly lifted up to the floors for installing.

SLS Gruppen used Lindab’s new RdBX stud for the first time during the reconstruction of Kvarnbacka School in Alingsås into a reha-bilitation centre.

Jocke Gustavsson, installation engineer at SLS, thought that the installation went smoothly and that the stud’s locking function worked easily and well.

Lennart Carlson, Lindab (left), and Peter Setälä, SLS Gruppen (right), in front of a loading yoke carrying

curtain walls ready for delivery to the Venus block.


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If we ask a question, we receive an answer, and moreover, as it is Lindab that is responsible for providing the answers, this suits us perfectly. Lindab are excellent at orderliness!

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Energy passportfor energy saving buildings

One of the Kyoto Protocol’s central objec-tives is to reduce the emission of “green-house gases”, such as carbon dioxide, which are the cause of climate change. The EU is part of the 170 or so nations and national associations that ratified this agreement by 2007. Throughout the EU, the requirements are now being tightened in many areas in order to reach the emis-sion levels set for each individual country. Now Lindab’s Building Systems division are introducing new interesting means of assistance.

The requirements for lower energy consump-tion and lower emissions from our cars are well known to most of us; however, buildings also constitute a huge source of emissions through the energy that they consume. Soon, every new building will have an “energy passport” stating the building’s annual emissions compared to the permitted standard. In light of this, a team within Building Systems has carried out research that has resulted in the recent development of tech-nical assistance for being able to optimise each building’s energy consumption.

This energy consumption depends on a num-ber of factors. These include the roofing and wall systems selected and their U-values, the type of flooring system that is used, the total window surface area and window type, heating and ven-tilation systems, etc. In addition to this, there are the local climate conditions, the volume and placement of the building as well as a range of

other factors. Together with the Zentrum für Umweltbewusstes Bauen ZUB in Germany, Lindab Astron has developed an entirely new software application for being able to calculate the energy effectiveness of a specific building in a simple and flexible way. “This programme will become integrated as a module in our Cyprion programme, which is used by over 370 Astron Builders”, says Venant Krier, responsible for Sales & Marketing at the Building Systems divi-sion. “In addition to Cyprion’s functions for pric-ing, construction, planning, etc., our retailers now have access to functions for calculating the build-ing’s energy consumption.”

The new energy module imports all the rel-evant facts for the building, such as the dimen-sions, selected roofing, wall and flooring systems and their U-value properties, facts about the ventilation and heating systems, etc. At the same time, local climate data is obtained from the Meteonorm database. “Once this is done, all you have to do is press a button and Cyprion’s energy module calculates the building’s theoretical energy consumption and compares it to the appli-cable standard,” explains Venant Krier. “Based on this output data, it is then very easy to decide if the building qualifies for an approved ‘energy passport’. If not, it is possible to simply simu-late alternative levels of energy consumption by adjusting the building’s various parameters and, thereby, conveniently reach a solution that fulfils the requirements set by both the property owners and authorities.”

Lindab Astron has been providing U-value data for the roofing and wall solutions to the Astron Builders they have worked with for more than 20 years. Since the 90s, Lindab Astron’s German retailers have had access to a module in Cyprion for determining a building’s heat loss. “When it comes to building technology, we have cooperat-ed for several years with Professor Gerd Hauser at the well-renowned Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics,” explains Venant Krier. “Professor Hauser is also one of the founders of ZUB, which explains our choice of coopera-tive partner for this important project. We have presented the new energy module at our retailer meetings, which has been met with great interest and a positive response. Investors and end users are becoming more and more energy-conscious and with the knowledge that the building they are planning will last for approximately 20-30 years, ‘energy-guaranteed’ buildings are appear-ing higher up their list of priorities.”

Germany will probably become the first EU country to implement “energy passports” for buildings. “Now that our Astron Builders have the opportunity to add energy consumption data to their already very comprehensive and elabo-rate offers, this will most likely further strengthen their – and, consequently, our – competitiveness. Especially as there are no competitors that can offer anything like it,” concludes Venant Krier, who looks forward expectantly towards the launch of the new energy module in April/May.

WHAT Simple and flexible analysis and simulation of a building’s theoretical energy consumption

WHO Lindab Astron

CUSTOMER Astron Builders

A thermographic camera is an instrument used to determine a building’s energy losses. The red areas in the image show where the energy loss is greatest. It does have a major disadvantage however. It can only be used once the building has been constructed, which is not ideal for energy saving measures. Consequently, Lindab Astron’s new energy module is considerably more practical. With the press of a button, it shows how a planned building fulfils the energy consumption standards, and it will soon become a reality.

Energy passportfor energy saving buildings


21


The name of Sweden’s southernmost province is “Skåne” (Scania in Latin and English). It is also the region where Lindab’s head office is located, along with important parts of its produc-tion. If you already knew all this, you will then know why Lindab Romania chose “Lindab Skane” as the product name for the newly profiled roofing tile, which was launched in 2007. “Sound sales figures meant that we made a decision quite quickly re-garding the local production of this profiled roofing tile, which, in Sweden, is known under the name ‘Lindabpannan’ [the Lindab Tile],” explains Andrei Sulyok, Business Unit Manager of Lindab Romania. In July 2007, the new production line for Lindab Skane was inaugurated. This investment of approx. 400,000 EUR not only covered the installation of the production line itself and the training of operators and personnel, but also the marketing and the promotion of Lindab Skane,” continues Andrei Sulyok. “This product is partly aimed at end-users in the form of medium in-come earners who are looking for secure roofing products from a strong brand, and partly at investors in the housing sector.”

As usual, Lindab Romania arranged a press conference in connection with the inauguration of the new production line. Of the 59 journalists invited, no fewer than 35 attended. “In addi-tion to giving them comprehensive information about the product itself, we were also able to explain the origin of the name Lindab Skane,” concludes Andrei Sulyok. “Now we all know what Skåne stands for and, moreover, the origin of Lindab’s roots.”

Skåne invades Romania

Andrei Sulyok, Business Unit Manager of Lindab Romania and Ioan Farcas, Residential Products Manager present the newly inaugurated production line for the profiled roofing tile, Lindab Skane. All of the 35 journalists present learned about the benefits of Lindab Skane and the reason behind the new production investment. They also learned about Skåne and the reason behind the product name.

Hard “haute couture”The fashion industry has “haute couture”. The question is whether the sheet metal in-dustry should follow suit. At least when you consider the result of this newly-built villa with its facades and roofs in cedar wood and Lindab Aluzinc, which is now situated softly embedded in a nature reserve just outside Lund in Sweden. The owner, Peer Eriksson, wanted to have a “zinc-like” material, but more modern and without its drawbacks. And this is what he got - custom-designed sheet metal at its best, plus a very impressive house!

Enlarged palette!Lindab’s Rainline roof drainage system has recently

been enlarged with the addition of two interesting colours;

830 Pine Green and 044 Anthracite Metallic. “The reason

behind the introduction of Pine Green is mainly due to the

development in Russia,” explains Jan Tomberg, Product

Manager for Rainline. “This colour has become one of our

competitor’s ‘show-pieces’ there and it is the principle roof

drainage product in many Russian building chain stores. By

adding this to our colour scheme and adding what we con-

sider the elegant and appealing Anthracite Metallic, we’re

increasing our strength in Russia and the CEE while, at the

same time, definitely having the market’s most extensive

palette.”

Both colours have been very well-received by the

sales force and the reactions from the

customers are now being eagerly

awaited. “Only a limited range of

products will be produced in Pine

Green, whereas the entire Rain-

line programme will be available

in Anthracite Metallic,” adds

Jan Tomberg. “We strongly

believe in this colour

in all of our markets

and it can be

seen a little bit

as our ‘weapon’

against zinc.

Better-looking,

more environmen-

tally friendly and at a

more attractive price than

zinc.”

News from the Profile business area


Varberg Hospital was built in 1972 and, even if 35 years is not an eternity, other demands are being placed on modern regional hospitals today. Therefore to bring the hospital in line with the new demands, reconstruction and modernisation work has been in progress since autumn 2006. “The first and most complicated stage has involved the construction of a completely new surgery department with seven op-erating theatres,” explains Jonas Andersson, Project Manager at Skanska, who is responsible for the re-construction.

The project comprises the newly-built surgery building of 4,650 m2 and the reconstruction of six other buildings totalling 7,550 m2. The very large fan room is located on top of the surgery department, which, during construction, supplies the entire project with ventilation in order to then gradually take over the indoor climate in all the modernised build-ings. “Huge demands have been placed on logistics, organisation, work-ing environment, sound levels, etc., due to the fact that all medical treatment is continuing throughout the construction,” adds Jonas Andersson. “When we’ve measured how well we fulfil these de-mands, we scored a strong four out of five.”

Oscar Hanson VVS, a Halmstad-based company dating back to 1916, is responsible for all ventilation installations. “We have a leading position in our re-gion,” says Conny Svensson, project leader. “This is undoubtedly a result of our high technical competence and broad knowledge within the complete field of Heating, Ventilation and Sanitation. The installation we’re carrying out here is no exception. It involves per-forming a complicated and advanced ventilation instal-lation without affecting hospital operations more than is absolutely necessary.”

Oscar Hanson VVS is responsible for the tem-porary ventilation during the construction itself, but above all, for all the new installations of fans, duct sys-tems, beams and devices as well as the special LAF roofs, which supply the operating theatres with sterile, clean air. Admittedly, LAF roofs have been supplied by Scandifilter, but the connection to the duct system is done by Oscar Hanson VVS.

When Lindab Direct visited the workplace, there were 4 installation engineers present from Oscar Hanson VVS. “However, during the completion of the gigantic fan room, which now covers the entire roof on top of the surgery department, there were no fewer than 10 of us present,” adds Conny Svensson. The deliveries from Lindab cover the complete circu-lar duct system of approximately 9,300m, including components. In addition to this, there are 155 Lind-ab Professor and Lindab Polaris chilled and heating beams, which have been prescribed by the consult-

ing firm, ÅF, in Gothenburg.

There are requirements for the measurement of air tightness in the system for the installation at Varberg Hospital. This is to en-sure that air tightness class D is actually achieved. “We’ve used Lindab’s new Leakage Tester

LT510 for the first time and have been able to simplify and speed up

all the measurements considerably,” says Karl-Jan Svensson at Oscar Hanson

VVS who has been responsible for all the air tightness tests. “We enter basic data such as duct surface area, pressure level, etc. and obtain a meas-urement result quickly and automatically that shows if everything is OK and if the air tightness class we’ve tested for has really been achieved. Moreover, we can print out the result on a slip, sign it and attach it to the documentation. The fact that we now avoid having to cart around the heavy fans that we used previously, when air tightness measurement was a considerably lengthier and more uncertain process, feels absolutely fantastic.”

Once the part of the system that is to be meas-ured for air tightness has been closed off at both ends, the Leakage Tester’s pressure hose and its test probe is connected with at least a 2 metre interval. After that, the Leakage Tester is started, building up the pres-sure indicated, and maintaining it for 5 minutes before printing off the result. “It doesn’t get much easier than that,” concludes Karl-Jan Svensson.

Convenient air tightness measurement for a demanding environmentOscar Hanson VVS uses Lindab’s new Leakage Tester LT510 at Varberg Hospital

Conny Svensson, project leader at Oscar Hanson VVS, is very satisfied with Lindab’s deliveries for the ventilation installation at Varberg Hospital. So far, Lindab has delivered approx. 9,300m of circular ventilation ducts and over 150 chilled and heating beams, of which some are specially coated. Furthermore, Oscar Hanson VVS has used Lindab’s new Leakage Tester LT510 for the first time for the fast, accurate and simple air tightness measurement of ducts.

Karl-Jan Svensson at Oscar Hanson VVS has so far carried out over 100 air tightness tests with the help of Lindab’s Leakage Tester LT510. “We’ve saved a lot of time and carting about compared to the ‘old method’ with pocket calculators and heavy fans.”

News from the Ventilation business area

22

23

The HILSA trade fair in Switzerland was a huge success for Lindab AG who recorded more than 550 customer contacts at their stand. The new Lindab Safe Click, SR Cutter and Leakage Tester LT510 re-ceived the most interest. “Nothing revolutionary has happened on the Swiss ventilation market for many years”, declared an Assembly Manager from one of the largest installation companies in Switzerland. “Lindab Safe Click, with its many advantages to-gether with the SR Cutter, is a giant step forward for the Heating, Ventilation and Sanitation sector. This system offers huge advantages, both for new instal-lations as well as for cleaning duct systems.”

“Having the SR Cutter and a pair of pliers as the only tools is much sought after by installers as well as mechanical and electrical contractors,” says Markus Hurschler, Sales Manager at Lindab AG. “Our discussions with our visitors were very positive and many of our customers will certainly change to Lindab Safe Click.”

Lindab AG received positive responses from vis-iting engineers. “They instantly realised the cost savings afforded by quicker assembly, as well as the energy sav-ings that are achieved due to reduced resistance, loss of pressure and density,” continues Markus Hurschler. “Our ‘Cost saving with Lindab Safe Click’ Excel-arc raised many eyebrows.”

Lindab saw the greatest number of visitors on the 2nd and 3rd days, the Journée Romande. “During the regular performances of the Swedish band, Jeerk, both our stand and the corridors were jam-packed with spectators for a number of minutes. Many thought that using Lindab’s products as instruments was clever and the sound was good too. The large amount of positive feedback from our visitors in-creased the motivation of the personnel each day and, as a result, they became even more persuasive when it came to presenting the new products.”

Lindab’s display at HILSA 08 in the Messezen-trum in Basel had an excellent position in the mid-dle of the hall between the two main corridors. The display gave a bright, friendly and inviting impres-sion. “We had plenty of space and not too much product material. Our films and brochures about the advantages of Lindab Safe Click and the SR Cutter were frequently used. In particular, the film distinctly showing how time can be saved with Lindab Safe Click compared to Safe, Vent and rectangular ducts, made it clear to the visitors how much time they can save by using Lindab Safe Click,” concludes Markus Hurschler. “We are convinced that our position in the market will now be stronger and more diverse.”

In April, Lindab Comfort will launch a completely new range of rectangular silencer baffles. “Previously, we’ve adapted the production of many different rectangular silencers to slightly different local con-ditions,” explains Allan Engholt Jørgensen, who is responsible for the acoustics concept within Lindab. “For some time now, we’ve been conducting an ex-tensive project concerning the development of a new European silencer baffle, Aerodim. It will provide a series of technical benefits, and simplify its use since a single baffle concept can be used for all rectan-gular ducts and be easily adapted to each unique installation.”

Aerodim is a sys-tem consisting of a completely new silencer baffle that has an aerody-namic shape. “This shape causes a drop in pressure of up to 40%, which provides entirely new op-portunities for

either increasing the ventilation effect or reducing the system solution’s dimensions,” explains Allan Engholt Jørgensen. “With a drop in pressure, Aerodim also provides low energy consumption, resulting in environmental gains. At the same time, Aerodim works even better as a silencer, so the benefits can-not only be seen on the electricity bill. The difference can also be distinctly heard when compared with how much more a facility with conventional rectangular silencers sounds.”

The new Aerodim system enables smaller dimensions, causes a drop in pressure and a faster flow of air in combination with an excellent silencer. “Aerodim also gives off less of its own sound, pro-vides simpler dimensioning and easy assembly,” concludes Allan Engholt Jørgensen. “Add to this simplified logistics, simple cleaning and stable costs, it’s possible to see the future prospects of Aerodim very positively. It will be tremendously exciting to see the reactions of the customers from the launch in the Nordic Countries and the introduction in Sweden that has just taken place at Nordbygg 08.”

Swiss success at HILSA 08

The HILSA trade fair in Switzerland resulted in no fewer than 550 registered customer visits for Lindab. The new Lindab Safe Click, SR Cutter and pressure tester products created a real buzz on the exhibition stand, and when the Swedish group Jeerk started ‘playing’ some of Lindab’s products, the atmos-phere became electrifying!

Leading Heating, Ventilation and Sanitation trade fair in Switzerland presents Lindab Safe Click and SR Cutter

Aerodim for new, silent rectangular possibilitiesNew silencer baffle from Lindab Comfort

Aerodynamic advantages in a square ‘package’. The new Aerodim silencer baffle system enables a drop in pressure, lower energy consumption and smaller dimensions.

News from the Ventilation business area Lindab Direct April 2008

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