ExTe Magazine 01|2018 by ExTe

N O . 1 / 2 018

EXTEMAGAZ I N E N E W S F R O M T H E W O R L D â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S L E A D I N G M A N U FA C T U R E R O F T I M B E R B U N K S A N D A U TO -T E N S I O N E R S

WANT TO READ THE MAGAZINE ONLINE? VISIT EXTE.SE

KJ E LL JON SSON CE O O F E XT E

WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR 120TH BIRTHDAY AND ARE MAPPING OUT THE FUTURE.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the spring and summer arrived in the blink of an eye. Barely three months ago we were battling our way through half a metre of snow. And then suddenly spring and summer were here. Just as quick as the arrival of summer, but considerably easier to control, was the refurbishment we have carried out in our premises. First a major upgrading of Building 2 during 2017 to improve the quality and increase the capacity of the coating facility. The next step was to prepare space within Building 2 for our sister company Trux, which has now moved into Ygskorset. This was achieved in part through the construction of an extension. The refurbishment work in Building 1 is now being completed, just in time for the end of the holidays. This work has been carried out to provide space for the marketing, technical support and design functions, in addition to management, finance and reception. At the same time, day-to-day operations have continued, of course. And there is a high level of pressure within both sales and production, to say the least. We are experiencing extremely strong demand for our products from all our markets. At the same time, there is also a demand for new solutions.

the ability to listen to and understand our customers’ actual needs is something we have always been able to do within our operation. And this is a pretty important time. We are celebrating our 120th birthday this year. We will be observing this in various ways. For example, there will be a large party for our customers during Elmia Lastbil in August. The fact that a company like ExTe has reached the age of 120 is proof that we have behaved very decently over the years and that our customers and other stakeholders have confidence in us. At the same time, we are also aware of the expectations our customers place on us to live up to their high demands. Managing 120 years of amassed experience is undeniably a responsible task. But with all due respect, the past is history. The important thing now is to focus on the present. And the future, of course. This is without doubt exciting. What will our products look like on the day when the future becomes the present? That’s what we’re thinking about. A great deal. And the outlines are starting to take shape.

Creating new solutions that are profitable for our customers is part of our DNA here at ExTe. In particular,

Kjell Jonsson CEO of ExTe

First and foremost, I would like to wish everyone a continued great summer.

ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM EXTE facebook.com/ exte.sweden

OWS THAT ANALYS IS SH E PEOPLE MORE AND MOR US ARE VISITING DIGITALLY 2 | EXTE MAGAZINE

If you quickly want to find out what’s going on in ExTe’s (and your) world, you can always get the latest news on our Facebook page or at www.exte. se. You can also read the latest edition of the ExTe Magazine on our website.

@exte_sweden

ELMIA LASTBIL IS NOT JUST ANY OLD TRADE FAIR FOR EXTE THIS YEAR. We are probably the company that has been involved in the sector the longest, according to Kjell Jonsson, CEO of ExTe. In 1898 – 120 years ago – the hammer was brought down on the anvil and we started producing the first order from a customer. This was five years before the Wright Brothers succeeded in getting a motorised aeroplane up into the air for the first time in history. At ExTe, of course, we deal with products considerably closer to the ground. But the demands as regards the safety of the products apply irrespective of whether we are dealing with timber bunks or accessories. At this year’s Elmia Lastbil, ExTe will be presenting a rhapsody of 120 years of outstanding development. And a glimpse of the future. We will also be showing off our most important products, as well as all our new accessories. ExTe has developed accessories that make the day-to-day work much easier at the timber stacks along forest roads. The most recent of these are remote controlled aids. You can see how they work in real life at the trade fair. Please come and visit us at stand U503:13 at Elmia Lastbil. Our sales staff, designers and individuals working with technical support will be there to explain more and to answer your questions.

EXTE MAGAZINE | 3

TRADE FAIRS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF ASPIRATIONS ExTe has a strong market share, both in Sweden and in German-speaking countries. The situation is a little different in other parts of the world. “That’s not at all strange,” states Per Jonasson, salesperson at ExTe covering large parts of the rest of the world. “We have built ExTe more or less like a target. In the centre is the Swedish forestry industry and timber transportation. We are gradually spreading our experiences further and further out on the target. The further out we go, the larger the market share there is for us to win. We are therefore building a network of dealers, which is why we are participating at trade fairs all over the world. We simply need to show off what we have to offer, as well as the product adaptations we can implement for different markets.

“In the middle of April, we started at Expo Forest in Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, north of Sao Paulo. This is South America’s largest forestry fair, which is arranged every three years. It attracted 30,000 visitors this year. In addition to myself, our dealer Emex with Olle Melin and his employees were present. Olle has lived in Brazil for many years, knows the market and has many important contacts. Our main product in Brazil is our B-bunks, which are manufactured under licence in the country. Our main attraction was TU, and the fact that both the D-bunks and the A-bunks were being displayed.”

The B-bunks, which are manufactured in Brazil, were present on a rig at Emex’s stand as well as at John Deere’s stand. There were plenty of interested visitors at Emex’s stand, asking a great many questions about the TU tensioner.

4 | EXTE MAGAZINE

In Brazil, we also took the opportunity to visit the forestry company Fibria’s operations in Tres Lagoas.

This is a Penta Trem rig that can carry a load of 80 tonnes. The rig is 30 metres long.

There were also complete trailers fitted with ExTe’s B-bunks, ready to head out into the forest and collect timber.

At the start of May, it was time for ILA (Interior Logging Association) in Kamloops, British Columbia. We attended this alongside our dealer, Prolenc. Our main product here is our ES12-bunks. These are a variant of our E-bunks, only with steel stanchions and a 12-tonne capacity. The bunks have already been installed on a large number of rigs. Rigs with six bunks are most common, or eight bunks with a trailer. There is a great deal of pressure on the market. Sawmills are operating at full capacity and the price of sawn timber is reaching record highs. A large proportion of the timber is being exported to the USA. Prolenc’s stand during the days at ILA, just before opening time.

Prolenc’s Kevin Hodgins during a customer visit with Howard McKimmon, a haulier from Merritt in British Columbia.

An attractive rig with ExTe bunks. Note that the trailer is drawn up on the vehicle and the stanchions that can be folded in half. This is what we mean by customisation.

The week after midsummer it was time for GALI Forest 2018 in northwestern Spain. Us and our dealer, Alfonso Prieto Perez. Spain is yet another example of the varying wishes that exist on different markets. Here it is the 144 series and the D-bunks that are in most demand.

EXTE MAGAZINE | 5

The vehicle is just over one year old, and was fitted with S-bunks and TU tensioners. You don’t need to stand this close to the stack when you can operate the tensioner via remote control.

HANS SÖDERQVIST TESTING THE REMOTE CONTROL FOR THE TENSIONERS

HANS IS THE FOURTH GENERATION IN LG SÖDERQVISTS ÅKERI IN KILAFORS, IN THE COUNTY OF HÄLSINGLAND. HE RUNS THE HAULAGE COMPANY, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED WAY BACK IN 1924, TOGETHER WITH HIS FATHER, LARS GÖRAN.

“We have four timber trucks and drive mostly for Stora Enso and BillerudKorsnäs via transport companies in Hälsingland and Gästrikland,” explains Hans. “But we also have another interesting assignment. We test new products and accessories for ExTe. “Our latest vehicle is one year old now, and is fitted with TU tensioners. This is an entirely new tensioner, so it is not surprising that there are a couple of teething issues. This is true of the vast majority of new products, whatever they may be. On the whole, however, there have been very few problems. And the TU tensioner is gradually being developed and improved,” states Hans. “We are currently testing a remove control system for the tensioners. Using the remote control, I can release, start and stop the tensioners, and of course roll up the straps. This takes place quickly and easily. And the system is very good from a safety perspective. I never need to stand close to the stack when I am loosening the sling. If anything accompanies the strap when it is being removed, it doesn’t land on me,” says Hans. “If I want, I can operate the tensioners standing 10 metres from the stack. “There is a remote on the frame, which works as the central unit for the remote control system. After a few months, I checked out the location where the remote is mounted. Dry as a bone. I have been testing the remote control for more than a year now, and it has worked extremely well. It’s fun to be part of the development of new products, and my contacts with ExTe have been extremely positive,” feels Hans. 6 | EXTE MAGAZINE

NEW RIGS ON THE ROAD

TEST DRIVES IN THE FORESTS OF HÄLSINGLAND On an average day, there are plenty of timber rigs in the forests of Hälsingland. On this particular day, there were a few more than normal, and not just timber rigs. Bilmetro and Scania jointly arranged a day during which hauliers and drivers where given the opportunity to test-drive the rigs. The test-drives started out from Järvsö and followed a loop a few tens of kilometres in length, before returning to Järvsö. The timber trucks were exclusively fitted with ExTe bunks, of course. The purpose of the day was for the drivers to get to try out both new features and refinements in the new

Some 20 hauliers and drivers were given the opportunity to see and ask questions about the new products being presented.

rigs. ExTe and Parator, two companies with strong local links, were both invited. We and Parator were both given the opportunity to present our companies and our products. Per Olsson from Parator also spoke about taking decisions in respect of the 74-tonne issue. For us, this was a good opportunity to meet hauliers and drivers and to listen to their thoughts and ideas. It is also good for us to meet other players in the sector, such as Bilmetro and Scania. “This was a successful day and all those involved were satisfied,” states Lina Bylund, ExTe’s Marketing Manager.

EXTE MAGAZINE | 7

exte 120 år · 1898–2018

LOVE BROUGHT EXTE INTO THE WORLD

A girl from Hälsingland was the real reason why timber hauliers around the world know where Färila is. The blacksmith Axel Edvard Sandstedt from the county of Småland had fallen in love with Johanna Matilda Nordin, born and raised in Friggesund, in Bjuråker. The couple settled down in Ygskorset and had a family.

Axel Edvard was an enterprising individual and soon realised that the area needed a skilled blacksmith. And he felt that he might just as well start up his own business. The company was established in 1898, and this was the start of a journey that would see the company becoming the world-leader in the development and supply of products for the secure anchoring of timber loads. Of course, Axel Edvard Sandstedt had no idea what he was starting. And never in his wildest imagination would he have believed that horses and sledges would one day be replaced by timber rigs where the driver could take care of loading, lashing the timber and unloading, all from the comfort of the truck cab.

8 | EXTE MAGAZINE

In some editions of the Magazine, we describe the most important events over the past 120 years. The blacksmith initially produced products for agriculture to order, but in time he also employed series production. Axel Edvard Sandstedt was not only a skilled craftsman. He also understood the importance of marketing, that you have to tell the world around you what you are doing in order to develop. The first advertisement was included in a local calendar in 1904. “All kinds of basic and more refined vehicles, such as winter sleighs and sprung surreys for cargo” were marketed together with winter sledges and timber sledges.

exte 120 år · 1898–2018

The importance of the forest increased in the early years of the 20th century. The forestry industry grew and needed more raw materials. All the timber was transported by horse and sledge or cart to lakes and watercourses for log driving. The horses need to be shoed and equipment had to be produced. There was plenty of work, and Axel Edvard Sandstedt took on more employees. With a high level professional skill, good quality and constructions that were already very well designed, the company’s customer base grew. The products were mostly made of wood, joined together with forged components. As a result, the business also included a carpenter's workshop.

During the 1920s, truck transportation began to supplement horse-powered operations. An increased need for raw materials resulted in felling operations being situated further and further away from both industry and log driving routes. More timber was transported by truck.

continued ...

EXTE MAGAZINE | 9

exte 120 år · 1898–2018

“In order to release the stanchions at each stack, two men with sledgehammers each had to knock out a securing plate. They then had to run away to avoid the logs falling down on them.” SECURI N

C A

R E

VENTED TH

10 | EXTE MAGAZINE

•

SINCE 1 8

EXT

Many years of collaboration with a local steam sawmill resulted in a firm footing for A. E. Sandstedts, which manufactured equipment for horse-drawn transport of timber to the sawmill, as well as for the emerging truck transportation operation. And it was at this point that the development of the first timber bunks was launched. The idea was to release the stanchions on one side of the rig and allow the timber to roll down into the water. In order to release the stanchions at each stack, two men with sledgehammers each had to knock out a securing plate. They then had to run away to avoid the logs falling down on them.

The first commercial truck transport operation in the area was established in the mid-1920s, with the launch of Göranssons Åkeri. The vehicle was equipped with the first model of bunk with folding stanchions from A.E. Sandstedts. Until this point, the iron had been processed by means of heating and forge welding. Welding technology now began to become more established, both gas and MIG welding. One problem that had not yet been resolved at this time was the loading of timber. The timber rigs where often manned by two or three people, the driver and assistant loaders. All the timber was loaded by hand – the first wire cranes were not introduced until the 1950s.

exte 120 år · 1898–2018

During the 1930s, products for agriculture were still extremely important for the business. Indeed, the first series-produced product was a loosening harrow for use in agriculture. But a great deal happened during this decade. The old village blacksmith was soon a distant memory and the company became a modern mechanical industry. There were no wooden structures any more. Everything was made from iron. And Axel Edvard Sandstedt felt that it was time to pass the business on to his sons, Åke and Thure. The new company name was A.E. Sandstedt & Söner. Developments accelerated during the 1940s, in part due to the war. For example, the company invested in the development of drags, which were a big seller.

They also produced trailer devices for larger tractors. The devices were equipped with four bunks and could carry just over 25 tonnes. The same bunks were also fitted to trucks. However, it would still be a few more years before the bunks with top-bound folding stanchions were replaced with the new bunks, which required mechanical releasing of the timber. You can read more about ExTe’s history in the next issue of the Magazine.

EXTE MAGAZINE | 11

D GOING LIKE A TRAIN THROUGHOUT EUROPE Mazur in Poland has D7 stanchions with flatbed sockets on the vehicle and D7 bunks on the trailer.

“We have been witnessing a healthy increase in sales since last autumn. In the past four months alone we have received orders for more than 500 D-bunks,” explains ExTe’s Ingemar Larsson. And these orders are not just coming from Poland and the Baltic States. There is also increasing interest from other parts of Central Europe. As confirmation of what Ingemar is saying, the interview is interrupted by a call from Latvia. “That was Metsatek, an upfitter, calling to order 64 D-bunks,” says Ingemar at the end of the call. ExTe has also designed a new D-bunk, the DS 7, with both the frame and the stanchions made of steel. The bunk has good internal dimensions and is cost-effective for the customer. Unlike the other D-bunks, which can have telescopic stanchions, the DS 7 bunk only comes with solid stanchions. However, all the accessories for the D-bunks also fit the DS 7 bunks, explains Ingemar. This bunk has rapidly become popular.

A very focused Ingemar Larsson is feeling hot under the collar. The phone is constantly ringing and new orders have to be entered into the system.

“We actually believed that things would be fairly quiet during the first half of 2018. But the opposite has been true. Part of the explanation for this is that interest in biofuel has increased, as well as the production of new homes in the east. It’s great that our sales are increasing, of course. But the flip side is that delivery times are becoming a little longer. However, we’re not alone in this respect when demand increases,” says Ingemar.

EXTE MAGAZINE | 13

MR. JAPAN ミージャパン Mr. Tamura loads and unloads all the timber himself, both in the forest and at the timber cargo handling depot. The ExTe stanchion is an adapted model of the telescopic stanchion with a quick-release fastener, and is called the C60-QL on the Japanese market.

Mr. Yuuji Tamura felt that it was time to replace the stanchions on his vehicle. He therefore contacted ExTe’s dealer, Naoko Kira at Forest Technique in Shizuoka, which is situated some 150 km southwest of Tokyo. Mr. Tamura isn’t a young man any more, but he is still working with timber transportation at full throttle. “I will keep doing this job at least until the age of 75, then we’ll just have to see,” says Mr. Tamura, who is now 71. He has been working in the forestry industry for almost 50 years, beginning his career as an employee at a sawmill. Unfortunately, that business closed down after a few years. The same happened with the next sawmill he worked for. In other words, the same thing was happening in Japan as happened in Sweden at that time, with one sawmill after another going out of business. But Mr. Tamura was soon up and running again, this time as an employee working for a subsidiary of a major pulp producer. He drove trucks for ten years, before it was time again. The company shut down. By now, Mr. Tamura was tired of being dependent on others. At the age of 50, he purchased the truck he had been driving and started up on his own as a timber haulier. In 2016, at the age of 69, it was time for Mr. Tamura to buy a new truck equipped with a crane. The old truck had old-fashioned stanchions, which were lifted off on one side when unloading the timber from the flatbed. Simple, but very dangerous. He had also had to repair the chassis on five separate occasions, following damage caused as the timber rolled off. When we recommended ExTe stanchions, his new truck was already with an upfitter. They had made holes in the flatbed for installing sockets. Mr. Tamura trusted our recommendations and decided to try out ExTe. But the old steel stanchions are also still in place on the flatbed. They are needed as a supplement the ExTe stanchions when transporting short timber. “ExTe’s stanchions feel reliable,” says Mr. Tamura. “They show their strength, even when I access them with the crane. It is very satisfying when I look in the rearview mirrors and see the stanchions standing straight and smart. This is particularly important when I come to a red light or a junction. I am extremely satisfied.”

14 | EXTE MAGAZINE

TORBJÖRN, NEW SALESPERSON ... At the start of June, Torbjörn Resvik began working as a salesperson at ExTe. Torbjörn, who is 51 years old, has lived more than half his life in the county of Värmland. But the Värmland dialect is noticeable by its absence. “Well, I grew up in Askim, near Gothenburg, and that stays with you,” explains Torbjörn. For the past eleven years, he as worked as export sales manager for Lennartsfors AB. The company’s main product is the IronHorse, which is actually sold all over the world. “It was the IronHorse that led me to come into close contact with ExTe and Extendo a few years ago. They were customers of ours and sold a considerable number of IronHorses in Asia,” explains Torbjörn. “We enjoyed positive contact, and when I was asked if I wanted to start working as a salesperson at ExTe, it was a fairly easy decision. It feels like it is the right time in my life to move on, even though I have been very happy at Lennartsfors. “ExTe’s products are of a high quality and they feel just right for me. And I like the fact that they are manufactured in Sweden. Our forest home is just the right size. “Here I have an outlet for my burning interest in the forest. If I were to start over today, I would probably get a job in the forest. I now satisfy myself with chopping a little wood in the winter and doing a bit of forest management,” explains Torbjörn. “We also often spend time skiing in Norway, both crosscountry and downhill. “However, I am now fully focused on ExTe. I am going to learn more about the products and test my knowledge on my closest friends in the haulage industry,” says Torbjörn with a laugh.

... AND MIKAEL IS REINFORCING TECHNICAL SUPPORT “My background and experience should be very well suited to working with technical support, both with upfitters and timber hauliers. My first job was at Hiab, where I worked installing truck setups for five years. I then moved to Scania as a truck mechanic, spare parts manager and eventually workshop manager,” explains Mikael Deemus. Mikael has also squeezed in a few years as an account manager and spare parts manager at Swecon. “I also spent just over two years in Scania’s lab, working with the new generation of trucks. I was in charge of operations when we were building test and demo vehicles. It feels as though my previous experiences naturally come together in ExTe’s technical support,” says Mikael. “The further you get from the end customer, the more comfortable your surroundings. I have come to the conclusion that I am more suited to being in the front line, in direct contact with customers. And it feels great when you succeed in resolving the customer’s problems,” states Mikael. “I enjoy trying to find new, better solutions, as well as developing processes. ExTe is renowned for thinking along new lines and being open to new ideas. That’s why I believe this will be rewarding, both for ExTe and for me,” says Mikael. He lives near Tystberga, between Stockholm and Nyköping. “I prefer to be out in the forest, rather than travelling into the city. I am actually now planning to take my hunting licence exams. And when I have the time, I also try to play a little golf, as well as being with my children, who are 6 and 14 years old,” explains Mikael.

EXTE MAGAZINE | 15

JUST THE FINISHING TOUCHES LEFT

“There are now pretty much just the finishing touches left on the major investment we have made in production,” states Magnus Johansen, Production Manager. “We want to get all the processes and procedures in order so that everything is where it is supposed to be. Both the Design Department and the workshop personnel, who make fixtures based on drawings and who carry out practical tests, are moving to the same premises as the rest of production. This is extremely important. We are establishing closer collaboration and simpler, faster communication between the various functions. “Another thing, which admittedly does not have anything to do with the investment, is that those of us who work with design and production ought to spend more time with the hauliers. We need to travel with them and hear their opinions, straight from the horse’s mouth. After all, we are producing solutions for their working day, aimed at improving the efficiency and profitability of their transportation operations,” says Magnus. “For us in the Development Department, moving to the same premises as production planning and production technology is ideal,” says Roger Larsson, who is responsible for the Development Department. “This is only positive and is resulting in closer contacts, better communication and faster decisions – in other words, we will be even more efficient. “I agree with Magnus, that it would be great if those of us working within development and production could get out more and meet hauliers, in order to see, listen and gather ideas. “The Sales Department is also moving into the same building as production. This is positive for the same reasons. Closer contacts between the various functions results in better collaboration and greater efficiency.”

When ExTe Fabriks AB collects and processes your personal data, you have certain rights as a customer. You can: • Request a summary of the personal data ExTe Fabriks AB processes, as well as how the data is processed • Request the correction of any incorrect information • Request to be deleted. However, this can only be carried out provided that ExTe Fabriks AB is not entitled to retain the information on some other legal grounds • Request that processing of the data is limited under certain circumstances, for example while an investigation is being conducted as to whether information is correct or not • When the General Data Protection Regulation starts to be applied, you can make use of the right to data portability Find out more about how we handle your personal data at www.exte.se/gdpr You are welcome to contact ExTe Fabriks AB on +46 (0)651-175 00 or at info@exte.se if you have any questions 16 | EXTE MAGAZINE

FROM 1898 TO 2018.

EXPERIENCE THE PAST, THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE WITH US AT ELMIA LASTBIL

We are presenting a rhapsody of 120 years of outstanding development. The past and the present are blended together, along with glimpses of the future. Our history has already been written. We are shaping the future together. See all of our most important products as well as our smart, new accessories. Remote controlled aids make loading and unloading so much safer and simpler. Our sales staff and technical support personnel are there to answer your questions and tell you about our latest product development work. And last but not least: to listen your opinions. Please come and visit us at stand U503:13. Keep a lookout for ExTeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flags. Read more about us and our products at www.exte.se

Securing cargo. We invented the concept. EXTE MAGAZINE | 17

D SOLU

T NS

P AT

MARIA THOR

EXTE

QUALITY, ENVIRONMENT AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR “My job is simply about maintaining good order in all our operations, regardless of whether this refers to how the company is managed, compliance with working environment regulations or ensuring that the production process is working as it should,” explains Maria Thor. “We are certified according to the quality standards ISO 9001, DIN EN ISO 3834-2 (Welding) and EN 15085-2 (Railways). At the end of May, we will be upgrading to the new ISO 9001:2015. Prior to this, we have drawn up a more straightforward management system, in which we have gathered all the procedures setting out how we should work at ExTe.” Maria is a machine engineer at heart. She is employed by ExTe, but is also hired out to Trux, where she performs the same function. “It is our products that our customers mostly come into contact with. In the event of a problem with a product, it is handled in what is known as the deviation process. The deviation is registered in the system, which launches the process for resolving the problem. “However, the job also involves a considerable number of internal issues. Just like all other companies, we have regulations that we have to comply with. These might relate to the external environment, waste and the fact that we may not bring in chemicals that we are not permitted to use. “It is equally important for us to keep a close eye on laws and regulations regarding the working environment. Our supervisors have considerable responsibility and they continually require information about the current situation. It is also part of my job to supply them with this,” states Maria. Maria would also like to highlight ExTe’s training facility, located in the industrial park. “It is a great advantage to be able to train during working hours, and quite unique for a company of ExTe’s size,” says Maria. 18 | EXTE MAGAZINE

A KNIFE MAKER WORKING WITH A RAZOR-SHARP LASER CUTTER – COULD IT BE ANY BETTER? Anders Fransson works as a laser operator at ExTe. This means that, alongside two colleagues, he is responsible for ensuring that ExTe’s laser machine cutter does its job. They make sure that the correct items are cut out of the metal sheets. “In purely practical terms, the job involves programming the laser cutters so that they produce the items we need when we are assembling various products,” explains Anders. “When we are deciding how the items should be cut out, it’s like doing a jigsaw puzzle. You want to get as many items as possible from each sheet in order to reduce steel waste. And this is not easy, as the items come in varying shapes and sizes. You are left scratching your head several times a day. No two working days are the same, in fact. At the moment, there is a lot of work for the machines. We currently have a backlog of around 800 hours with the laser. But we are trying to plan so that the machines can operate 24 hours a day,” explains Anders. Anders was originally a welder. He joined ExTe four years ago, after working at Iggesund Forest in Strömsbruk, where his work including manufacturing knives for harvester heads. “My partner, our daughter and I moved to Ljusdal just before I was taken on at ExTe, and my partner is a personal assistant in Hudiksvall. We now have a little boy as well, and we have bought a house here. “I am very happy at ExTe. The work is extremely varied. I drive forklifts, plan, program, provide services for others in the production process, perform control measurements. And I try to find new solutions almost every day in order to streamline the work regarding the laser machines. Every day is different, and it is never boring. My work colleagues are also great,” considers Anders. Anders’s work really requires a feel for precision. This is a quality he has developed in his free time. Anders is a knife maker, producing fantastic hunting and fishing knives. “I am the third generation of my family to make knives. I also enjoy carving on benches and tables for example, as well as glass engraving. But all of this is just at hobby level,” says Anders modestly. And as if that were not enough, he also goes fly fishing. Consideration, planning and creativity feel like natural qualities for Anders. EXTE MAGAZINE | 19

Sweden postage paid

GREAT TO HAVE NEW COLLEAGUES Trux AB is now also part of the Extendo Group. For both practical and efficiency reasons, Trux will be moving into part of ExTe’s premises as a tenant in the spring. In addition, a new construction is currently being built directly adjacent to the existing premises.

And there’s no mistaking the fact that Trux is a welcome addition. “It’s great that new people are joining us,” says Jenny Eklund, and her sales colleagues agree. “This will create new social contacts. We will probably also come up with a little mischief, to make sure they feel really welcome. And we can arrange competitions between the companies.” Kent Söderberg and Mats Björk both work in ExTe’s production. “Even though we work with different aspects of production, we will get to meet both during meal breaks and at our training facility. It’s great that there are going to be more people,” they agree. Elias Hjelm at Technical Support explains that ExTe and Trux often help each other at trade fairs. “They are wonderful people to work with. I am looking forward to having new work colleagues.”

HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER! FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT EXTE

WANT TO READ THE MAGAZINE ONLINE? VISIT EXTE.SE