Building a new urban reality Trimo Group

BUILDING A NEW URBAN REALITY

Trimo Group is one of the leading European providers of building envelope solutions. Sales director Jure Gošte tells Vanja Švačko what makes Trimo such a strong business partner.

For more than 50 years Trimo has been offering sustainable and complete solutions for building envelopes, steel construction and modular space. With its expertise in steel buildings, façades, roofs and containers, the company has customers in more than 50 countries, agents and representative offices worldwide and production facilities in Slovenia, Serbia and Russia.

Trimo’s clientele includes companies and brands of all sizes with a wide range of architectural and business development needs. Many are high-profile global brands with which it has developed close, long-standing and profitable relationships. Trimo’s portfolio of partners includes companies such as Airbus, Heathrow Airport, Nestlé, Philips, DHL, Porsche, McLaren, IKEA, Prologis, Mercedes, Coca Cola and many others.

Although in the past few years Trimo has been experiencing a downturn in trading because of the turbulent economic situation throughout Europe, the company has managed to stay ahead of the competition thanks to its product quality, technical support and services offered to its clients.

Mr Gošte explains, “Europe is our dominant market place. There is currently a heavy price battle in the construction sector, which forces us to accommodate to those conditions. Customers recognise the quality not only of our products but of our service as a whole. They entrust us with their projects although it is of course necessary for us to match our competitors’ prices.”

Reaching milestones

Trimo has managed to achieve each milestone it has set itself through its multidisciplinary approach, consulting experts from the fields of architecture, mechanical engineering, chemistry, electro technology and so on. Major highlights in Trimo’s portfolio have been the development of modern alternatives to conventional built-up and curtain wall systems – the modular façade system Qbiss One and the energy efficient glass curtain wall system Qbiss Air.

“Regardless of the fact that we basically produce steel structures, our philosophy is based on providing highly efficient, innovative and sustainable solutions to meet the varied needs of our clients,” says Mr Gošte. “That is our primary focus in terms of R&D activities and investment strategy. Qbiss One, launched a few years ago, was Trimo’s major attempt to enter the segment of façade systems with a modern design, which effectively replaced the traditional aluminium type of rain screen system. The second big milestone for Trimo is Qbiss Air, which is a pioneering new method of curtain walling .”

Although Qbiss One is a metal phased mineral wool insulated prefabricated element (with integrated fire protection), it gives the façade a higher aesthetic value in comparison to conventional rain screen systems. For example, its elements have rounded corners which are free of any visible cuts or folds. This system can be accompanied by the award winning and non-penetrating ‘ArtMe’ surface design treatment, that can produce various kinds of visual effects on the external envelope.

Whilst Qbiss One is similar to the standard range in terms of material choice, Qbiss Air inhabits a segment of its own. Made from glass, it boasts a superior thermal

performance, high energy efficiency and allows the maximum penetration of light into the building.

Focused on innovation

All of Trimo’s innovation activities are carried out with a view to both improving products according to its customers’ needs and controlling costs.

Mr Gošte continues, “As far as Trimoterm fire proof roofs and façades are concerned, there have been some improvements in the past two years. Together with our major supplier Knauf Insulation, we have advanced the characteristics of this insulation core and come up with two new types. One of these is Trimoterm Power T – a mineral wool insulated panel that provides higher thermal insulation value with the same insulation thickness. Trimoterm Power S provides higher structural and spanning capabilities within the same panel thickness.”

Last year the company intended to make improvement on all the interfaces and details of Qbiss One after growing governmental regulations on increasing the building’s thermal efficiency. Instead of increasing insulation thickness, Trimo paid attention to detailing in the interface and by using some additional sealing tapes achieved perfect thermal balance.

Stronger than ever

Mr Gošte concludes, “Over the past couple of years, Trimo has been subject to a financial restructuring process which was successfully concluded. We believe that the measures implemented in recent months and the current measures have built vital pillars for sustainable growth. They offer great potential for innovation and the development of advanced products and solutions as well as helping us to build a strong position on global markets, all of which will provide the company with opportunities to successfully continue its story.” n

Visit: www.trimo.si