Design & innovation tapped Ostnor

DESIGN & INNOVATION TAPPED

Ostnor is a leading European supplier of quality sanitary fittings. Since the company was created through the merger of two of Sweden’s most successful manufacturers, Ostnor has moved into new healthcare business segments and expanded into new export markets. Philip Yorke reports.

The foundations of the Ostnor Group were laid in the late 18th century when farmers in the harsh Mora region of Sweden were forced to find an alternative means of supporting themselves. Initially, in order to supplement their income from farming the villagers turned their hands to clockmaking. Through this craft, the villagers gained knowledge and experience of working with brass which ultimately led to the manufacture of sanitary fittings that the company is so well-known for today. The two brands that merged to form Ostnor AB were FM Mattsson and Mora Armatur. The company’s joint production facility in Ostnor, Sweden, is home to northern Europe’s largest and most modern brass foundry.

Today the Ostnor Group employs more than 500 people and is one of Europe’s leading sanitary fittings manufacturers. The company exports its products primarily to Europe as well as a number of other countries worldwide and in 2010 it recorded sales of approximately SEK 1000m.

Design and innovation driving sales

Ostnor’s long and well-documented heritage has meant that for many years it has enjoyed a reputation for quality and stylish Swedish design. The company’s business concept is to supply the market with a high-quality range of taps, accessories and services that are clearly focused on its customer’s needs and the changing trends in the consumer marketplace. In addition, Ostnor continues to invest in the latest technology to enhance its product’s quality and durability. The company employs its own in-house design team and R&D department and was the first to introduce such innovations as ceramic seals, non-freeze garden taps, soft closing single lever mixers and thermostatic mixing valves. It is said that more than 100 years of unique patented solutions are behind every Ostnor product.

Another recent innovation has been the introduction of a new range of mixers in the Morsa MMX Care product line. This unique range of products was developed by Ostnor to meet the growing demand from the older generation who are suffering from rheumatism and related conditions. The new Mora MMIX range has been tested and approved by the Swedish rheumatism association and offers outstanding functionality and ease of operation.

Poto Sanitary Ware Company Ltd was established in 1992. With more than 20 years of manufacturing experience in all kinds of brass sanitary wares, and other precise accessories.

Our product quality has become one of the best in the industry, and is highly recognised by our customers in the U.S and Europe. Being an OEM/ ODM vendor, we respect product intellectual property, and we strive to provide an excellent level of service possible.

www.poto-china.com

No. 11, Puling Road, Dayan Industrial Area, Huangpu Town, Zhongshan City, G.D. Province, China. Zip Code: 528429. Tel: +86 760 2330 2005 - Fax: +86 760 2330 2006 - Email: info@poto-china.com

To maintain its leading-edge market position, Ostnor has invested in an advanced water laboratory as well as a sound laboratory in order to test, verify and optimise its latest products. In addition, to improve and upgrade its products, the company uses advanced design development tools such as CFD and CAD computer-aided software.

Environmental care is also a priority at Ostnor and its commitment is based on FM Mattisson’s Ecosafe environmental programme and Mora Armatur’s ESS (energy saving system). The company’s on going environmental programme is designed to minimise its products’ overall environmental impact and spans the entire production chain. This ranges from energy and water-saving technology in its mixer production facility, to transportation and energy consumption in the factory.

Furthermore, by installing Ostnor environmentally friendly taps, it is possible to reduce energy consumption by up to 30 per cent. To further underscore this dedication to the environment, Ostnor won the coveted ‘Stora Energipriset’ award for environmental care in 1999. n