ExTe Magazine No. 3/2016

No 3/2016

EXTEMAGAZINE NEWS FROM THE WORLD’S LEADING MANUFACTURER OF TIMBER BUNKS AND AUTO TENSIONERS

ELMIA LASTBIL 2016

A REALLY HOT

HAULAGE TRADE FAIR

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KJELL JONSSON CEO EXTE

THE DAYS ARE GETTING DARKER, BUT THINGS ARE STILL LOOKING BRIGHT. A few weeks ago was the autumnal equinox. That’s the day when day and night are of equal length. Then it just keeps getting darker, at least out on and beyond the roads. In other words, it’s time to check over stanchions and bunks. What do the orange fluorescent decals look like? If they are worn, they should be replaced for reasons of road safety. A clearly visible timber rig offers peace of mind for both the driver and fellow road users. Give us a call and order some new decals.

fidence. This feels extremely positive, of course, and is a good basis for our continued product development. If our products feel meaningful for hauliers and contribute to helping them in their operations, they have a legitimacy. This is why close collaboration with our customers is so important when we develop new products.

And it is equally important that installers, hauliers and drivers respond to us quickly if they come across something in their day-to-day work that should be addressed.

While it’s getting darker outside, in many other respects things are looking brighter. We have now completed a number of major trade fairs all over the world and the trend is clear. More and more hauliers are choosing ExTe’s products for their rigs. This is evident not least in all the timber rigs on display at the trade fairs. And what is really interesting is that more and more rigs designed for other kinds of goods are starting to appear, fitted with our TU tensioners. Our other products are thriving, by which I mean the A Series and D Series bunks with all the various kinds of stanchions available for them. S Series bunks are also starting to become established among hauliers. Not so strange, really. After all, S Series bunks have the widest inner dimensions in the market, which means more timber in each stack.

I do not intend to prejudge the course of events, but it would not surprise me if this good collaboration with customers produces results in the form of new, ultra-interesting products as early as at the Mittias Skogstransport trade fair next year.

When we are out meeting hauliers, drivers and installers, our sense is that we are being met with great con-

Kjell Jonsson CEO ExTe

We will soon be launching an extensive investment programme. Over a three-year period, we will be reviewing and developing our entire production apparatus. The aim is, of course, that these investments will result in shorter, more reliable lead times, not least for spare parts in order to reduce waiting time for hauliers in the event of damage. But we must not deny that the steady increase in sales all over the world is significant for these investments. Quite simply, we need to produce more of everything.

CONTENTS READ THE MAGAZINE DIGITALLY You can always find the current ExTe Magazine at exte.se. Click to read about news from all over the world.

2 | EXTE MAGAZINE

04 10 11 12

A really hot haulage trade fair.

Edström issues a challenge.

TU secures pulp bales.

Now we’re on our way.

15 16 17 18

Increased load weights.

Folding bunks.

One, TU, three.

Trade fairs.

WE ARE HOLDING A SERIES OF SERVICE DAYS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

DURING THE AUTUMN AND SPRING WE WILL BE HOLDING A NUMBER OF SERVICE DAYS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AT LOCATIONS THAT ARE CONVENIENT FOR ALL. During the autumn and spring we will be holding a number of service days all over the country at locations that are convenient for all. Where it is feasible, we will try to organise these service days in connection with our traditional Roadshow tour.

We will return to the programme from the turn of the year onwards at a later date. And you will receive a personal invitation when we are close to you.

But we have already made a head start with an inspection event on 20 October at ExTe in Färila. We welcomed all timber trucks from Härjedalen, Gävleborg County and Dalarna for a technical review.

tion and road safety of the ExTe products you have on your truck and trailer.

This involves everything from bolts being tightened to the correct torque, to frames and stanchions being attached as they should and making sure that all accessories are working well.

You can of course attend the inspection and discuss your ideas and comments with technicians and designers. The inspection is naturally free of charge, although you do pay for any materials.

And if you feel like a bite to eat during the day, we offer a hearty soup with a sausage sandwich. But remember. We will be in touch with your personal invitation.

We naturally want our products to work and for you to be safe with ExTe. The inspections are performed by our technicians and designers, who perform a technical review and check both funcEXTE MAGAZINE | 3

ELMIA LASTBIL

2016

A REALLY HOT

HAULAGE TRADE FAIR Elmia Lastbil 2016 was hot, really hot, in many respects.

The temperature was above rather than below the 30-degree mark. And on the ExTe stand, shaded from the heat of the sun, visitors did battle with thousands of wasps (at least that’s what it felt like) for both Färila sausages and drinks. One of our evening newspapers awards a high “wasp” rating to things that are really good. So in that respect all of those wasps must have meant something. There was a really good, cheerful and positive atmosphere among all the visitors to

The temperature was above rather than below the 30-degree mark. And on the ExTe stand, shaded from the heat of the sun, visitors did battle with thousands of wasps (at least that’s what it felt like) for both Färila sausages and drinks.

One of our evening newspapers awards a high “wasp” rating to things that are really good. So in that respect all of those wasps must have meant something. There was a really good, cheerful and positive atmosphere among all the visitors to the 4 | EXTE MAGAZINE

the ExTe stand, with plenty of questions and creative ideas about the products on display.

Without a doubt the greatest interest was shown in the TU tensioners and the smart accessories that make the drivers’ working environment both safer and more pleasant.

A lot of the questions were about how TU tensioners could be used for purposes other than lashing round logs.

ExTe stand, with plenty of questions and creative ideas about the products on display.

Without a doubt the greatest interest was shown in the TU tensioners and the smart accessories that make the drivers’ working environment both safer and more pleasant. A lot of the questions were about how TU tensioners could be used for purposes other than lashing round logs.

ELMIA LASTBIL

2016

Not all new products necessarily have to be big and revolutionary. It’s enough if they are simple and functional, like the smart chain hanger, for example. By making it angled, it reduces the wear caused by the chain on the stanchion when there is no load. And the chain hanger is secured using the same screws as the hook holder.

Tomas Ivarsson is a haulier in Nyland, whose company transports timber and gravel, and also has an excavator. Sylve Nordin in Ramsele transports timber. Both agree that ExTe’s wide range of products and spare parts is an asset.

“And if anything doesn’t work, ExTe is really good and quick at solving problems,” they feel.

“There are a lot of questions about how TU works on woodchip rigs and other kinds of transport operations,” explains Elias Hjelm from ExTe’s Technical Support. “We recently sold TU tensioners for a woodchip rig in Finland. They drive woodchips one way, and timber packages on the return trip. It’s evident that both hauliers and drivers have discovered the potential of the TU tensioner.

With the right accessories, all it takes is a couple of presses of the button and the tensioners take care of themselves. It saves time and is convenient for the driver,” says Elias.

EXTE MAGAZINE | 5

ELMIA LASTBIL

2016

A guy from Hällefors with very firm views is Kenneth Pettersson.

“I didn’t like the TU tensioner when it came out,” he says. “I gave ExTe such a hard time about it. Now I know more and I’ve changed my mind completely. The TU tensioner is damn good,” says Kenneth to Kjell Jonsson, ExTe’s CEO.

Thumbs up for ExTe from Andreas Augustsson, Service Manager at MST/STS. With him are some of his “lads”, as he calls them, Raymond Gustafsson, Peter Eriksson and Johan Andersson.

“ExTe’s products are so easy to work with,” says Andreas. “Well-planned and easy to replace and install, and nothing that goes wrong.” ExTe’s Bosse Hjelm smiles and accepts the plaudits.

A couple of fast-moving guys showed up at ExTe’s stand. Father and son Larsson. Lasse, who is not only a timber haulier but was also European Rallycross Champion, and Robin, who is competing at the highest levels of Rallycross. As you probably know, he is competing all over the world in the World Championship.

ELMIA LASTBIL

2016

Brothers Esbjörn and Erik Lindberg from Lindbergs åkeri in Gästrikland never miss a trade fair and a chance to visit ExTe’s stand.

“There are three or four stands that are especially fun to visit, and ExTe is definitely one of them. Always something new, and this is where you meet all the other timber hauliers,” say the guys.

“We think that ExTe should have some form of systematic, direct contact with us drivers when they want to discuss something new or develop a product,” says Patrik Forss and Emil Heikällä, drivers at Junttis Åkeri. “You can always improve things, and the best way to find out what needs to be changed quickly is to talk directly to those of us doing the driving, and not to go through intermediaries.”

“Worth considering,” think Bosse and Elias Hjelm. “Drivers often come up with very good comments and suggestions.”

Patrik Mäkitaavola is a haulier and co-owner of Bröderna Junttis Åkeri in Övertorneå.

“The entire company of 23 men is here. We’re getting ready for an upcoming anniversary,” explains Patrik.

Junttis Åkeri is one of the companies that has had Series S bunks the longest, and their experiences are good.

“At the moment we have four trailers with modified S10 bunks on them. We can load a lot of timber and it feels stable,” he confirms. Together with Patrik is Emil Funck, on the left, who is both a haulier and a driver. Andreas Rautio, on the right, also has his own vehicle. Both Emil and Andreas work as subcontractors to Junttis Åkeri.

EXTE MAGAZINE | 7

ELMIA LASTBIL

2016

Ove Johansson and Dennis Johansson from Hjo explain that for their part, it’s ExTe all the way.

The haulage company has three vehicles and drives for Södra. Dennis will soon be taking over the company. There are TU tensioners on the newest vehicle. Ove and Dennis had opinions on the position of the air tap and moved it to behind the air dome. It

8 | EXTE MAGAZINE

has more protection there, they feel. Ulf Göransson from ExTe explains that the air tap can be positioned anywhere. The Johanssons are satisfied with the TU tensioners and feel that it’s a very good idea to have strap control as well, and order six there and then.

They also take the opportunity to buy 12 Pink Ribbons.

It wouldn’t be a trade fair without a visit from his highness the Timber King of Norway. The King himself, Odd Anders Säter, on the right, together with his right-hand men Sven Olof Säter as well as Anton and Anders Karlsson from Charlottenberg. At the trade fair two years ago the “King” launched his plans to buy Sweden. For understandable reasons, this year there was no mention of that. There was more of a strange silence. No royal declaration at all.

ELMIA LASTBIL

2016

“We believe the future looks bright. If you have no faith in life as a timber haulier, you’d better give up,” believe haulier friends Stefan, Hans and Tomas.

Stefan Olsson comes from Sollefteå and has two vehicles that drive for Norrskog and Edsele Såg. Hans Ekman from Hammarstrand has a vehicle that drives for SCA, and Tomas Bergander, also from Hammarstrand, drives for Norrskog and Gällö Såg.

“We have plenty of work and believe in what we’re doing,” they say. The

guys are not, however, totally convinced about proposals to increase the maximum weight to 74 tonnes.

“Most of the road network towards the west is too weak to take more than 64 tonnes,” they believe. “The improvements made feel mainly cosmetic.

Unfortunately not many people ask us, the ones who drive every day, about our experiences of the roads.”

Jörgen Spring explains the finer points of the TU tensioner, air trigger and strap reel.

ExTe’s Series S bunks have the widest inner dimensions in the market, making it possible to load even more timber.

“We’ve further developed the bunks, among other things angling in both sockets and stanchions. The wedges also have a new design,” explains Elias Hjelm. “We’re seeing healthy demand for Series S bunks. Not really a surprise, as they’re good for the hauliers’ profitability.”

EDSTRÖMS ÅKERI ISSUES A CHALLENGE TO EXTE ON THEIR HOME GROUND.

NOW IT’S FOR REAL. Edströms dropped the bombshell at Elmia Lastbil.

“We will wipe out the whole of ExTe,” say the Edström lads. “If they dare accept the challenge, of course. We’ve got a strong squad with lots of bandy skills,” confirms team captain Tomas Edström. “This will be a walkover.”

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We’ve invested in ExTe’s TU bunks and are really satisfied so far, say Rikard, Tomas and Joakim, all sharing the surname Edström and all owners of Edströms Åkeri in Åsele. As well as woodchip and gravel trucks, Edströms owns ten timber trucks.

At present there are S10 bunks on three trailers. Two of them are embedded in the frame. There are now plans for S10s on another trailer and two trucks.

“Of course it’s the opportunities to load more timber that are crucial, and that’s what the customers is demanding, in this case SCA.”

Edströms like ExTe. “It’s important to feel welcome, and ExTe is good at that. We’re happy to collect the equipment from them ourselves because it’s so nice there,” says Tomas. “We did that last time, and will be happy to do it again.” And it was during the previous visit that the interest in bandy was awakened. It was really great, and was none the worse for having to drag along a worn-out old portfolio.

“As far as bandy’s concerned, we at Edströms gave it some thought. Here and now, we challenge ExTe to a proper bandy match and we intend to beat the sh*t out of them. So now the ball’s in ExTe’s court.”

A smart system for lashing pulp bales with TU tensioners.

TU LASHES PULP BALES.

Jan Backberg is a haulier in Sundsvall, one of many hauliers who are currently testing the possibilities of using the TU tensioner to lash items other than round logs. Jan’s company Papper och Massatransporter i Sundsvall AB transports pulp bales for SCA between Ortviken and Tunadalshamnen.

The rig, which was there at Elmia Lastbil, is really long with the attached Link. There are 12 TU tensioners on the whole rig.

“The aim is to speed up both loading and unloading,” explains Jan. “The electric winches we had earlier take longer and aren’t as reliable.”

A year ago, Jan made a speculative trip to ExTe to discuss his ideas. The outcome was a project with TUs fitted.

“This is a simpler, faster system. You use two controls to tighten and loosen all the tensioners simultaneously.

Our hope is that we’ll save so much time that we can manage a couple of extra loads each day. We transport twenty or so loads, and save 5-10 minutes each load with the TU.”

Jan Backberg, on the right, is a haulier who is very satisfied with the TU solution on the rig.

Bosse Hjelm from ExTe, in the middle, has a number of projects under way where TUs are being used to lash items other than round logs. Ulf Backberg is a driver.

Two levers for Release and Tensioner are all that is needed to control the 12 TU tensioners on the rig.

EXTE MAGAZINE | 11

NOW WE’RE ON OUR WAY. ExTe’s Production Manager Magnus Johansen is bursting with energy ahead of the renovation and extension of the painting department at ExTe.

This is going to be demolished to make way for an extended paint shop, explains Magnus.

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ExTe’s Production Manager Magnus Johansen looks forward to getting started with the investments in production.

We’re renovating some equipment and installing new painting robots in the paint shop, explains Magnus.

“Finally we’re up and running with the first stage of a pretty wide-ranging investment in the whole production apparatus. We’ve now made all the plans and know how we want it to be,” says Magnus.

“This will give us more a more rational process than we have at present. After all, blasting and painting go together.

We’ll also add more washing stages, so that we can process items of up to 3.6 metres.”

“We’ll extend the existing paint shop and restructure both the premises and the neighbouring operations. The aim is to increase capacity and quality.

“Which is also the case for all of this major investment, which ExTe is making over a period of around three years.

We’re looking forward to a continued increase in production volume. So we must eliminate a number of bottlenecks and replace some robots that are showing signs of ageing,” explains Magnus.

Items have to pass through several different baths between blasting and painting.

“This is important,” emphasises Magnus. “The aim is partly to provide good anti-corrosion protection, partly to achieve good adhesion for the paint.

We’re installing a new robot for the surface coat. After painting, the item goes into the drying oven.”

As regards the paint shop, they are renovating some equipment and installing new painting robots. Blasting, which is currently performed in the second of ExTe’s two premises, will be moved and merged with painting.

A completed, painted product direct from ExTe has undergone all the stages required for a sustainable outcome.

“Sometimes customers want products that are not painted to completion.

That’s why we have a robot that’s just used for basic protection/transport primer. In such cases it’s extremely

important that the customer blasts off the transport paint before the product undergoes final treatment,” emphasises Magnus.

“As one element of guaranteeing the quality of the equipment, it’s being inspected on site at the supplier’s premises in Italy. All of the equipment is set up at their premises and a number of the ExTe products that are most difficult to paint have been sent down to the supplier. The robots have to be able to access all the nooks and crannies of the products. We travel down and inspect the results before we approve delivery. Once everything’s in place, in Färila, all the renovations are complete and it’s time for installation work, we have an operational shutdown for about three weeks, and then it’s just a case of getting back to work again,” says Magnus with a laugh.

EXTE MAGAZINE | 13

POLITICS IS ABOUT WANTING TO ACT – OR NOT...

When the discussion started about new, increased load weights, there was never any doubt that the environment would be one of the big winners.

COM90

74 TONNES

ROBIN – NEW DESIGNER AT EXTE. At the end of August, Robin McGougan started his new job as a designer in ExTe’s Development Department. Robin is a graduate engineer and has worked in a number of positions and companies on operations, maintenance and design. Among other things, he spent one year working with vacuum pumps for PIAB. Then came seven years at Atlas Copco, developing hand-held tools and accessories. Robin eventually became an innovator and spent his last year at Atlas Copco working on his own project to develop torque-free screwdrivers. After another year or so at Assa Abloy, the family moved up to Bollnäs.

“I applied to ExTe myself. It seems to be a flexible company. And I’ve understood that there are major challenges in the development of new products for the industry,” says Robin.

“Even though I have no previous experience of ExTe’s products and the environment in which they’re used, there are still a number of common features in all product development, for example the ability to think outside the box. In that respect I see myself as being pretty creative. So I’m full of enthusiasm and am sure that my colleagues will tell me if they think I’m heading down the wrong track.”

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This is how the TU tensioner works, explains Lennart Wallström to Robin McGougan (on the right), new designer at ExTe.

When the discussion started about new, increased load weights, there was never any doubt that the environment would be one of the big winners. Environmentally hazardous emissions from transport activities could be cut by 20%.

Lennart Cider from Volvo Trucks is working on the ETT project, i.e. a 90-tonne rig.

“We’re saving fuel every day,” he confirms.

When politicians saw the environmental benefits, they thought that they had to take this further. But moving from words to action undeniably takes time.

“All of the important parties think that this is an important environmental and competition issue. But increasing taxes for transportation vehicles doesn’t solve any environmental problems.”

The current state of affairs is that a haulier must keep to a total weight of 64 tonnes. 74 tonnes may be on the way, but an ETT rig of 90 tonnes is still some way off.

With a total weight of 64 tonnes, people can use their existing rigs. No extra axles are needed, which cost a lot of money. But many hauliers, who believed that politicians would respond quickly to meet their stated environmental responsibility, have already invested for 74 tonnes. The problem is simply that with the pace of decision-making seen so far, many hauliers will soon have worn out both trucks and trailers before the new regulations come into force. In other words, wasted money.

The lethargy exhibited by the politicians responsible so far is disturbing. The Swedish Transport Agency and the Swedish Transport Administration have long said that they can have everything in place within 12 months of a political decision. Both the Social Democrats and the Alliance parties have at least given the impression that they want to increase the total weight to 74 tonnes.

The latest development is that a decision has been made on a referral of the issue to the Council on Legislation.

This decision means that a so-called load class that includes 74-tonne trucks, known as BK 4, will be introduced. A limited number of roads will be opened up to 74-tonne trucks.

To meet the government’s ambition to shift freight from road to rail, this will take place on roads where transport by rail or sea is not possible. The amendment that allows transport using 74-tonne trucks will come into force on 1 March 2017. So they say.

LINA BYLUND – NEW PURCHASING MANAGER AT EXTE. ExTe is now adopting a joint approach to strategic purchases of raw materials for all production.

Lina Bylund took up the position of Purchasing Manager on 3 October. Besides purchasing, her responsibilities also include HR and working environment issues, as well as ExTe’s work on quality, including certification and follow-ups.

Lina has a background as a graduate in Chemical Engineering, specialising in Biotechnology, and she spent eight years at a biomedical company in Solna, working in product development and as production manager. Lina then worked for six years in various roles at Svenska Fönster, including as site manager for production in Lingbo and the last year in Edsbyn as quality, environment and working environment manager.

EXTE MAGAZINE | 15

THE FOLDING BUNK – NEW AT ELMIA.

“We have a product range that just keeps on getting wider and wider,” confirms Lennart Wallström, the man responsible for ExTe’s product development. The latest one is a bunk in which the stanchions can be folded down.

“As with most of our products, the folding bunk was also developed in response to customer requests. It’s hauliers wanting to broaden their opportunities to transport different kinds of goods who put pressure on us. And the new folding bunk can be used for both road and rail transport,” explains Lennart Wallström.

On roads, the folding bunk is intended primarily for rigs with flatbed or box trailers. Maybe there’s a need to transport woodchips in one direction and round logs or other goods that require lashing to bunks in the other direction.

It’s a fairly simple system. Laid on the ground, the bunks are loaded and the load is lashed. Which can be done even before

The lock on the stanchion is easily released with a push of the red mechanism at the base of the stanchion. When the stanchion on the opposite side is folded down, it rests on the stanchion support (the black rubber pad).

the rig arrives. The loaded bunks are then lifted onto the flatbed or into the box and secured to the flatbed or the frame.

Once the load has been lifted off and unloaded, the stanchions are folded down and the bunks can be placed back in a longitudinal direction on the flatbed or in the box if other cargo has to be loaded.

The folding bunk can also be fitted to the frame. This requires that the loading height of the stanchions be adapted so that the maximum width is not exceeded when the stanchions are folded down. When the stanchions are down there is also less

Lennart Cider from Volvo Trucks confirms that it is both quick and easy to fold the stanchions on the folding bunk. “ExTe talks a lot about securing cargo. With these new folding bunks you can also add ‘simplifying cargo’,” thinks Lennart Cider.

wind resistance, which improves fuel consumption.

The curved form of the frame means that the bunk becomes a smooth, compact package when the stanchions are folded down.

A FOLDING BUNK FOR THE CONTINENT. One variant of the folding bunks is the D10

F, which has been shown at trade fairs in Europe. Here it is actually road tax that lies behind the request from hauliers. What do you do when this tax is based on the number of wheels on the carriageway? You simply reduce the number by pulling the trailer up onto the truck. And to achieve this the stanchions, which are of the telescopic type, must be folding. Another consideration is that the trailer is much shorter than we are used to in the Nordic region. One side-effect of placing the trailer on the truck is that it is easier to travel with a greater weight on 16 the | EXTE MAGAZINE vehicle.

On the D10 F, the stanchion sits in a socket that is released when the stanchion has to be folded down. The stanchion is released in two stages so that it does not fall over the driver.

When the short trailer is lifted quickly and easily onto the truck, the haulier makes a saving in road tax.

JAPAN

Naoko and Satoru Kira have their hands full explaining to interested installers the possibilities of using the TU tensioner to lash general freight.

TU IN

YOKOHAMA You might just as well say TU, TU, TU in Yokohama.

Because that’s how it was over the three days in September when the Japan Truck Show took place.

Here Naoko Kira, on the far left, explains how the TU tensioner works and also strikes a blow for quick-locking stanchions.

ExTe’s dealer Forest Technique displayed its demo truck, which was fitted with S6 bunks and C60 quick-locking stanchions. As well as a number of TU tensioners. There was keen interest in the TUs, to put it mildly.

For days on end, Naoko and Satoru Kira had to demonstrate the finesses of the TU and especially its ability to lash general cargo.

Installers in particular, but also hauliers, were given detailed presentations during the fair.

ExTe already has a good reputation in Japan, and according to ExTe’s Per Jonasson there is now also a major interest in the TU tensioner.

“We do of course hope to get into the general cargo field in Japan,” says Per. EXTE MAGAZINE | 17

GERMANY

GERMANY AND AUSTRIA JUST KEEP ON GETTING STRONGER FOR EXTE. The IAA trade fair in Germany is gigantic, or as Ingemar Larsson from ExTe puts it: “The trade fair area is like an entire city. You just have to see this with your own eyes to understand how big it is. And right at the heart of all the various things that capture the visitors’ interest, every year ExTe is there with its dealer Richard Morath. And every year sees an increased interest in ExTe’s products.”

Installer Carmosino displayed a really smart trailer at the trade fair.

Richard Morath in the blue shirt serving colleagues from FZB, who in turn act as dealers for Richard. The installer Rielder is also represented.

The installer Riedler’s stand featured exclusively ExTe bunks on its rigs.

AUSTRIA

The same is true of the trade fair in Klagenfurt, Austria.

“A major success for us,” confirms Ingemar Larsson. “By way of comparison, at the 2014 trade fair we had a market share of 50%, this year it’s 74%! Our closest competitor had 16%, so we’re really growing in Austria. It was 100% ExTe or close to that among the major installers such as Riedler, Ressenig and Schwarzmüller.”

IN BOTH GERMANY AND AUSTRIA, THE TU TENSIONER IS CLEARLY HOT.

ANOTHER PRODUCT THAT ATTRACTED INTEREST WAS THE FOLDING BUNKS.

And the quick-locking wedge is also very interesting. “You

We have delivered prototypes of the D10F to a customer in

can use it to easily move or remove stanchions on flatbeds,

Austria. And we received a lot of questions about the bunks

which are quite common down here,” says Ingemar.

at the trade fair in Klagenfurt. In many cases they lift the trailer up onto the truck when driving on narrow Alpine roads. Not only is it easier to turn the rig, you also have better traction in the truck. Another benefit is that you can load sawn timber onto the bunks when they are folded.

Ingemar Larsson and Richard Morath presenting the quick-lock wedge and how it works.

18 | EXTE MAGAZINE

As reported, there was a high level of interest in the folding bunk.

FINLAND

Both Series A and Series D bunks have a stable market in Finland.

STRONG POSITION FOR EXTE IN FINLAND. Finnmetko is an important trade fair for timber hauliers in Finland. And Finland is an important market for ExTe. “That’s why it’s naturally important that we’re there at Finnmetko together with our dealer Alucar,” says ExTe’s CEO Kjell Jonsson. “As we have by far the widest product range and the most advanced technological solutions when it comes to equipment for timber trucks, we also enjoy a strong position, not only in Finland, but also in all markets in the world. In other words, we don’t blush when we say that we’re the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier in the industry.”

Nordic timber hauliers have very similar conditions and use the same products.

“I was at Finnmetko, and once more saw confirmation that Finnish hauliers like our products.

There was plenty of praise for our products and our service,” confirms Kjell Jonsson.

Still going strong. A trailer with ExTe Timber bunks from the 60s. Still in good working order.

CANADA

EXTE’S DESIGN AND FUNCTION IMPRESSED IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. On 22-24 September it was time for the Demo trade fair at Maple Ridge on the west coast of British Columbia.

“The last Demo trade fair was in 2000, so there was undeniably plenty of expectation in the air,” explains ExTe’s Per Jonasson. “You could notice it, as many exhibitors put lots of effort into their stands.”

ExTe was represented by its dealer Prolenc, who displayed bunks from the ES series. These bunks are adapted for the Canadian market, especially for the conditions on the west coast.

“There’s no doubt that the design and function of the bunks impressed visitors. Hopefully this will also be reflected in Prolenc’s order book,” says Per Jonasson.

The ES bunks were definitely of interest. Note that the stanchions are separable.

EXTE MAGAZINE | 19

Sweden post paid

THE VERY LATEST NEWS FROM EXTE. If you want to find out quickly what’s happening in ExTe’s (and your) world, you always find the latest news on Facebook or at www.exte.se.

Seize the opportunities to keep up with developments in the industry.

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