Our business areas
Components
Components markets and sells components and subsystems in mechanics, electro mechanics, hydraulics and electronics, as well as automation solutions. Its customers mainly operate in the Nordic manufacturing industry.
Business
Components focuses on technology trading, based on suppliers' range of components. For more complex customer needs, the subsidiaries offer solutions that may be a combination of components and subsystems. Companies in the business area strive continuously to increase the added value in their offering. Products and solution are often cusomised in collaboration with the customer and supplier.
Market
The business area holds a strong market position in the Nordics. A local base combined with high levels of technical expertise provide the companies with competitive advantages in their respective niche markets. Demand tracks developments in the manufacturing industry. Competition is tough for standard products in large volumes. Segments with lower volumes, which is our focus, prioritise service, customisation and delivery capacity. Long-term relationships with leading global suppliers are essential and a high priority.
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Dynamisk graf: Components - Geographic market
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Dynamisk graf: Components - Customer segment
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DEVELOPMENT DURING 2016/2017 |
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Increased sales of production components to Nordic manufacturing companies combined with acquisitions generated strong profit growth. Demand increased in all our major customer segments, such as the mechanical industry, electronics, wind energy and special vehicles. The business situation improved in both Sweden and Finland and stayed positive in Denmark. The Norwegian oil and gas market was weak, but thanks to good demand in infrastructure and the food industry, the business situation was stable overall. |
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A large share of sales go to OEM customers. In more concrete terms, this means customised components and sub-systems that are sold to customers who produce machinery. One area that performed well during the year was sales to companies in wind power. This involves sales of, for example, cable and connection systems.
Our business areas
Energy
Energy markets and sells products for the transmission and distribution of electricity and products in electrical safety, electrical installation and connection technology. Its customers mainly operate in the energy and electrical installation market.
Business
Energy focuses on the markets for electrical power distribution and electrical installation, as well as products and solutions in electrical safety, energy efficiency and connection technology. Companies also carry out the customisation of standard components and solutions for products, primarily in electric power transmission.
Market
Energy’s companies hold leading market positions in their respective niche areas in electrical power products and electrical safety. In addition to trading, several companies also manufacture niche products under their own brands. Demand in the energy market is relatively stable and is affected by the electricity companies' investment rate. Energy's subsidiaries also offer aftermarket services such as education, service and support, which generates both long-term customer relationships and current income.
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Dynamisk graf: Energy - Geographic market
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Dynamisk graf: Energy - Customer segment
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DEVELOPMENT DURING 2016/2017 |
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The market has been favourable throughout the financial year. During the quarter demand increased somewhat more from an already high level. Acquisitions and above all greater efficiency in our operations generated very favourable profit growth. Infrastructure investments in national and regional networks in the Nordic countries have continued to increase, and they are at a high level in Sweden in particular. Demand for niche products in electrical power distribution remained stable. Sales of products in the areas of electrical installation and electrical safety developed well in the Nordics and Great Britain. |
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Sales in the electrical installation and electrical safety sectors include products with an important role in renovation and new-building, such as fuses, cable ducts and presence and movement detectors. With a continued high tempo in the construction and installation sector, demand for Energy’s subsidiaries also continues to rise.
Our business areas
Industrial process
Industrial Process markets and sells solutions, subsystems and components that contribute to optimized industrial process flows. Customers have an emphasis on industry in northern Europe.
Business
Industrial Process focuses on developing customers’ business benefits and offer service and product solutions that help streamline customers’ solid, liquid or gaseous industrial process flows. The added value created involves more competitive products, resource savings, positive environmental impact, time gains and other favourable outcomes that help improve quality and profitability for the customer. The solutions are customised and applied in a wide range of areas.
MARKET
Through their technical expertise the subsidiaries hold leading positions within several narrow niches. High development and innovation rate for industrial process flows and increased demands for reduced environmental impact drives the pace of investment. Competition is relatively hard but for companies who work closely with customers and offer high technical competence, efficiency and system solutions, the competition is much lower.
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Dynamisk graf: Industrial Process - Geographic market
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Dynamisk graf: Industrial Process - Customer segment
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DEVELOPMENT DURING 2016/2017 |
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Sales to the production industry in the Nordics increased overall during the year and demand increased from the majority of customer segments. Investments in the Nordic process and manufacturing industry grew. Demand in the shipping market improved, while the business situation in oil and gas remained weak. The situation for our operations outside the Nordics remained good, especially in customer segments such as vehicles and energy. Efficiency improvements are being implemented in several operations to meet the Group’s demands on profit growth, profitability and development. |
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One sector where the business area expanded strongly during the year was sales of measurement systems for ships. With new environmental regulations imposing stricter demands on emissions from ships, investments in e.g. measurement equipment rises. Increased need for inspection and analysis of e.g. fuel consumption and purity and composition of discharged process water will affect not just the marine sector, but also industries such as the paper, energy, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Our business areas
Power Solutions
Power Solutions develops, markets and sells components and system solutions that ensure power supply, as well as operation and control of movements or energy flows. Customers mainly work with special vehicles and telecoms.
Business
Power Solutions focuses on creating automated systems. The companies often work with the customer during the design phase, allowing them to be involved in controlling and optimizing the end product. Most of the customers are therefore OEMs, but also a large number of end users. The business area has developed a large range of its own strong brands and has significant R&D expertise and niche production.
Market
The business area is the Nordic region’s largest independent distributor of batteries and has agents for several leading global brands. The companies hold cutting-edge expertise and leading market positions in their respective niche areas. Demand depends on the development in the markets for vehicles, telecom, environmental technology and medical technology. Rapid technological development drives demand for technically skilled companies who can contribute in the products’ design phase.
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Dynamisk graf: Power Solutions - Geographic market
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Dynamisk graf: Power Solutions - Customer segment
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DEVELOPMENT DURING 2016/2017 |
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All in all, demand was good, and profit growth was driven by a very strong organic sales increase. Greater demand for controls and ergonomics products for the special vehicles industry – the largest customer segment in this business area – made a strong contribution. The market for solutions with new battery technology and power supply solutions in the Nordic markets continued to improve. Demand decreased, however, from telecom and wind power customers. |
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The strongest increase in demand during the year came from manufacturers of special vehicles, in segments such as forklift trucks and mining and forestry machinery. As more and more goods are being shipped worldwide and logistics management is taking on an increasingly important role, the need for modern transport vehicles is also growing. Many such vehicles use systems solutions and products from Power Solutions.