BEIJER ALMA
40%
Approximately 40 percent of the Group’s units manufacture products that contribute to a lower environmental impact, for example by replacing plastic products with greener alternatives. Many components are developed and produced using processes that reduce material usage, while others cut the customer’s energy consumption or have longer lifespans than competing products.
LESJÖFORS
Productivity and sustainability
Lesjöfors has opened a new facility in Latvia, where manufacturing of springs, gas springs and flat strip components is now fully under way. All production is now under one roof. This has streamlined transportation and improved accessibility for employees. The plant is also designed to increase productivity and improve the work environment. “This new machinery is naturally an important step in our efforts to become more productive and efficient in our use of energy and materials,” says Ingars Jaunzems, President of Lesjöfors Springs LV.
HABIA CABLE
Green electricity
Purchasing green electricity reduces CO2 emissions. This electricity is produced from renewable sources like hydropower or wind turbines. Plants in Sweden, Denmark and Poland currently use green electricity. Swedish units hold a clear lead and account for more than 95 percent of the green electricity used. The front runner in green electricity is Habia Cable’s plant in Söderfors, Sweden, with 5,000 MWh consumed every year.
BEIJER ALMA
Investment in solar panels
Beijer Alma aims to increase the share of independently produced green electricity. This is a sub-target under the objective “More efficient use of resources.” Two facilities in Sweden have installed solar panels on the roof of their plants. These solar panels produce electricity corresponding to 25 percent of the annual consumption at each facility.
BEIJER ALMA
More qualified students
Teach for Sweden trains teachers in new ways. The initiative – whose objective is to train motivated teachers to help more students achieve their upper-secondary school qualification requirements – has grown significantly. A full 20 percent of all math, technology and natural science teachers (grades 7–9) are recruited from Teach for Sweden’s leadership program. Beijer Alma supports this work. More of the Group’s managers have become mentors for future teachers. School classes are also invited to visit the Group’s facilities.
HABIA CABLE
Less scrapping
A review of processes has reduced the amount of plastic and metal waste at the cable manufacturing plant in China. Wastage occurs when changing between products. The implementation of new production start-up procedures has halved the amount of waste.
BEIJER TECH
More electrical power
To reduce their environmental impact, a growing number of Beijer Tech companies are phasing out fossil-fuel company cars. The Norwegian company Norspray now has four fully electric vehicles, while Lundgrens has purchased more plug-in hybrids for its vehicle fleet and is building charging stations at its major branches.
LESJÖFORS
Saving energy
The UK company European Springs & Pressings reduced its electricity consumption by converting to LED lighting. Lesjöfors Stockholms Fjäder reduced the entire company’s electricity consumption by approximately 8 percent through improvement measures. In Germany, Velleuer reduced its energy consumption and noise level by further insulating its premises. Meanwhile, its sister company Stumpp+Schüle invested in new air compressors, which reduced its energy consumption by 5 percent.
HABIA CABLE
Joint research
Habia Cable is participating in a research collaboration being carried out by the Norwegian industrial research institute SINTEF. The institute works with development projects in areas like offshore. Some ten companies are participating in the collaboration, including oil companies and plastics manufacturers. One of the goals is to investigate how insulation material in Habia’s heating cables is affected by high temperatures and voltages.
LESJÖFORS
Reduced emissions
Lesjöfors has installed new technology at its facility in Changzhuo, China that cleans exhaust gases, and reduces dust and particles. Similar improvements have been made at Lesjöfors Springs in Slovakia. Habia Cable also has manufacturing operations in Changzhuo and improved its treatment of emissions at the facility during the year.
HABIA CABLE
Seaguard lightweight cable
Habia Cable has delivered another cable in the Seaguard product family. The cable, which is halogen-free and thus does not emit toxic gases in the event of a fire, is used in diesel engines and other marine technology. It is a lightweight cable that weighs 35 percent less than the cables usually used in such applications. The low weight contributes to reduced fuel consumption.
BEIJER TECH
Better work environment
An investment in a new 3D printer has had a positive impact on the work environment at Karlebo’s facilities. The binding agent used in the manufacturing process is an important input material. The new printer uses a binding agent with fewer chemical components, leading to a better work environment.
