RECO Bygg og Skadeteknikk has witnessed impressive growth in recent years. With the help of a company-wide restructure, RECO has developed into one of the best operators within damage engineering. Managing Director Tore Kyvik explored the progress further, in an exclusive interview with Inside Sustainability. Report by Imogen Ward.
IN2019, following rapid growth, RECO Bygg og Skadeteknikk underwent pivotal changes that led to new opportunities for expansion.
“The company was growing very quickly, and we needed to restructure to accommodate that increase,” Managing Director Tore Kyvik explained. “Now, for the first time since 2019, we are operating with a positive result.”
Since the transition, RECO has continued to flourish, and as of 2023, has successfully doubled its annual turnover, reaching an impressive NOK400 million.
“One of the major catalysts for our growth was the successful signing
of new contracts with two of the biggest insurance companies in Norway,” said Mr Kyvik. “From that point on, we developed at a much faster pace and established our reputation as one of the big market players.”
Now, the company is on a mission to replicate this success, with a plan to double its turnover by the end of 2028
“Of course, this goal is very much dependant on future contracts,” Mr Kyvik continued. “We know that there will be several contracts available in 2026, so we are trying to place ourselves in the best position to obtain these and meet our 2028 turnover targets.”
Solid foundations
RECO was established in 2004 by an impressive team who already had 20 years’ experience behind them. Now, 20 years on, the company has shifted through several evolutions to become one of the best in the building and damage engineering sectors.
Currently, damage engineering accounts for the majority of RECO’s contracts; however, the company also maintains a strong presence in several other areas.
“Around 80 to 90 per cent of our revenue comes from insurance companies in Norway who are requesting repair work following building damage,” said Mr Kyvik. “The rest
of our work comes from private and professional real estate companies, as well as tenants. We rebuild, reshape and tear down. We also renovate interiors: installing new doors, windows, kitchens and bathrooms.”
Ingenious investment
Moisture measurements are another important element of RECO’s work. When a project involves water damage, an important step in the repair process includes ensuring the building is completely dry. On a standard site, moisture levels are normally monitored by an employee at several different stages. This is inefficient and relies heavily on estimations.
Keen to overcome this problem, RECO entered a new partnership in 2021, with sensor engineer TEK-Zence. Utilising the company’s sensors and remote readers,
RECO accurately measures moisture levels whilst also saving on time.
“TEK-Zence’s software is excellent for surveying the drying process,” Mr Kyvik explained. “Using this equipment, we can also work out how long it will take, allowing us to plan ahead. This makes the entire process a lot more efficient.”
RECO saw this collaboration as an excellent opportunity to run pilot testing, further highlighting TEK-Zence’s capabilities out in the field. Having seen how successful the system is, the two companies are now taking this one step further.
“We are currently testing sensors that are capable of identifying changes during the drying process,” Mr Kyvik continued. “So, if there was another leak, or if the leak were
to return, then the sensors would alert us to that development. This would allow us to react quickly and effectively, before further damage occurs.”
A green focus
Improving operational efficiency has also helped to improve RECO’s environmental impact. With a strong commitment to working sustainably, this is just one of the changes that RECO is planning to implement.
Currently leasing its cars through Bank Norwegian, RECO leases each car for a period of four years. Once its current term has come to an end, the company intends to begin phasing out older models, which will have a direct impact on its emissions.
“Our emissions are the main driver behind this decision,” said Mr Kyvik. “Every year, technology improves, and new safety regulations come into play, so we need to make sure our cars are up to code.
“We currently have 10 cars that we are actively trialling in-house, and we expect to have a better outlook by the end of 2024.”
The company has also measured its carbon emissions. RECO has successfully offset its scope 2 emissions through a carbon credit scheme focused on reforestation in Norway. When it comes to scope 3 emissions, RECO is actively supporting a more circular approach. To minimise wastage, the company is encouraging the reuse of building materials where possible.
RECO is currently running a pilot project with Sirken, the developer of Norway’s
first self-service warehouse dedicated to the sale of surplus materials from the construction industry.
“We have been collaborating with Sirken for six months now, and the company is getting ready to install a new container quite soon,” Mr Kyvik explained. “It is a great opportunity for people to purchase good quality materials that would otherwise be wasted.”
Close collaboration
None of this would be possible without the support of RECO’s dedicated partners and suppliers. Choosing to only work with the best of the best, RECO trusts each company to provide the most reliable service possible.
“We depend on a lot of large suppliers who are well known in the market,” Mr Kyvik explained. “Often, we become acquainted
with them through the insurance companies that we are working for. If we are going to be the best, then we need to collaborate with the best. After all, these companies are helping to boost our reputation as well as the quality of our work.”
As it looks to the future, RECO is firmly focused on its 2028 turnover target. However, the company is aware that this does not come without its challenges.
“We have big plans for the future, but the most challenging aspect, is getting hold of good people to facilitate those plans,” Mr Kyvik said, in conclusion. “We continue to invest in recruitment, and although the general civil construction market is falling, we are on the up, so we are confident that we will continue to attract skilled labour in the future.
“We work hard to create the best working environment for our people, whilst also ensuring customer satisfaction. The most valuable asset a person has is their home, and our workforce applies top quality craftmanship and empathetic solutions to every role they take on. That’s why RECO is the safe choice when it comes to building and damage engineering.”
n Tore Kyvik Managing Director
