Extemagazine 04|2014

EXTEMAGAZINE N E WS F R O M T H E WO R L D ’ S B I G G E ST M A N U FACT U R E R O F T I M B E R B U N KS N o . 1 / 2 0 1 4

Five years with Com 90 and still going strong.

Gustavsson brothers Jan and Ulf, Skåpafors Skogstransporter.

LEADER

Timber hauliers must also come out of this as winners.

Since the end of the year there's been significantly stronger demand for our bunks and tensioners than we had counted on. This is all very well and good, but it also places demands on our ability to deliver. For a while there were a number of delays when it comes to our A bunks. But for most of our customers things worked out well.

The increased demand for our products looks like it's here to stay. In addition to our aluminium bunks, our new D Series provides hauliers with new capabilities – the D series is the market's lightest combination bunks.

Discussions about the new heavier loads continue full blast. They way things look now we can expect a decision on raising the maximum load to 74 tons. This means a whole new set of conditions for many hauliers.

Handling 74 tons requires more axles on the truck and the trailer, and in some cases the bunks must also be replaced. No big deal, you might well think. But this will entail new investment expenses for every individual haulier, which must be paid for from net timber haulage revenue.

The new, heavier loads bring advantages, even if there are differences in opinion on just how big the advantag-

es are. The reduction in emissions from fewer trucks and larger loads makes the environment one of the winners. Timber buyers are also counting on becoming winners. Lower timber haulage costs mean they can improve their ability to compete in the market.

But there is another party that must also be counted among the winners, namely the timber hauliers. We're talking about a system change with newer, more expensive rigs.

So it's reasonable for hauliers to want their fair share of the economic gains created in order to cope with the necessary investments.

Even though there are a few weeks left before high summer, spring has given us a wonderful foretaste of what we might expect. I'd like to take this early opportunity to wish you all a wonderful, long summer together with your nearest and dearest. If you happen to be travelling in Europe, take the opportunity to visit one of the exhibitions ExTe will be taking part in. If not, I look forward to seeing you at Elmia Lastbil in August.

Kjell Jonsson, MD ExTe

Contacts: Contact us via tel. no. +46 (0)6511 7500 or fax no. +46 (0)6511 7503 and tell us what you need.

Sales department direct: If you wish to speak to a sales person, call +46 (0)6511 7501.

Internet: You’ll find everything you need to know about the world’s leading manufacturer of timber bunks at exte.se.

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NEWS

Timber hauliers

As a haulier I have to take care of my bottom line and my balance sheet.

There's no more 'business as usual' in the forestry haulage industry. Everyone's working flat out. But there's still plenty to think about for timber hauliers. The proposals for new heavier loads are a cause for concern. Not that hauliers are against change and innovation in general. On the contrary. Timber hauliers are by nature a type that knows what it means to adapt to new circumstances. Otherwise they would not survive in the industry. It's not the changes themselves that give pause for thought – it's how to pass on the costs for the necessary investments.

Discussions with a number of timber hauliers elicits a somewhat fragmented picture of how they see the future. Everyone understands that there's no stopping progress toward the new, heavier loads, and everyone can see the great benefits for the environment. But as hauliers they have to take care of their bottom lines and their balance sheets. Or as one of them put it: "There has to be an understanding among both hauliers and industries that purchase timber that the gains from heavier loads must benefit both hauliers and the industry."

"If the industry thinks this is going to be easy, it's bad news," says one haulier. "Increasing to 74 tons will mean replacing almost our entire fleet, and that means extremely high investment costs. It's all a question of whether the industry is prepared to share the costs the change involves. At the same time, we can't afford to miss the bus for competitive reasons.

But it's unreasonable to expect hauliers to bear all the costs."

There are also strong opinions regarding the level to aim for – 74 tons requires major investments when it comes to the number of axles and bunks on the truck and trailer.

"68 tons would still mean a lot more timber to industry but at reasonable investment costs" explained one transport manager.

There are major uncertainties, many insist.

The new weights will probably require reclassification of bridges and B roads.

Naturally, road standards have a significant bearing on how heavier rigs can get around. In the southernmost parts of Sweden, timber truck roads are often unsuitable for heavy rigs.

"If we’re going to make trips with 74-ton rigs on every road it will require some heavy duty reinforcements on roads and extended turning areas. So I think we will continue to have many 60-ton rigs that more or less feed timber to the larger trucks,” says one haulier.

The basic attitude the hauliers we spoke to was positive.

"We mustn't miss the bus competition-wise," they say. "But everyone involved must understand the change will mean increased costs; not just investment costs – operating costs will also increase. And as hauliers we need to make this clear.

Another important aspect for hauliers is when the new regulations will come into force.

"We need to know in order to make sensible investment plans. The authorities and decision makers must be clear about how much and when," they say.

EXTEMAGAZINE3

NEWS

Timber bins

Check out the timber bin video.

Have you seen the video 'Ormen på piren' (Snake on the Pier)? If not, do so.

Visit www.exte.se and click on the link.

How can a rig that is almost 25 metres long turn round on a 15 metre-wide pier without ending up in the drink?

"It's like turning on a dime," says Jörgen Göransson at Göranssons Åkeri.

But let's start at the beginning. Göranssons Åkeri has been hauling timber from the harbour in Gävle to Billerudkorsnäs' pulp mill for many years.

"We began in 2002 by unloading ships," Jörgen Göransson tells us. We had our own solution with timber bins right from the start. The bins allow faster handling and loading. It's mainly 3-metre logs from the Baltic states."

"We are always trying to find improved solutions. We developed our latest version together with ExTe – the structure uses better steel, and quality and finish are much improved. Our new timber bins are more sustainable and load more. We've ordered an additional rig with timber bins for delivery in October," Jörgen Göransson tells us.

The timber bins are built using ExTe's S12 railway bunks, which have been panelled. They are 3.5 metres wide and have a load height of 3 metres.

Because the load is hauled inside the industrial area, no special load restraints are necessary. What's more, there are no max load regulations beyond what the equipment can handle.

"We're paid on performance, so we naturally want to load as much as we're able. The rig weighs 35 tons and we can take loads up to 85 tons. So 120 tons is perfectly feasible," says Jörgen.

The complete arrangement consists of a tractor unit and two trailers. To make turning on the narrow pier possible, the rear axles on the last trailer have been moved forward.

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"We make it OK, but the last trailer juts out over the water when we make the turn," Jörgen tells us.

In order for the timber bins to accommodate timber of different lengths, they can be slid in the same way as the wide support bolsters. This also allows unloading timber with different forklifts. It's just a matter of lifting the support bolster and shifting the bin, which slides on the chassis. The bins rest on brackets without locking them in place.

The support bolsters are free on the chassis and protect it from damage if the grapple misses. The high-strength steel makes both bunks and bins extremely durable.

"We're extremely pleased with this solution, but if I know ExTe, they'll soon come up with something even better," says Jörgen Göransson.

NEWS

New Zealand

New Zealand – a flourishing market.

Believe it or not, but there are as many timber rigs in New Zealand as there are in Sweden, despite the fact that the country's forested area is barely one tenth of Sweden's. One reason is lower gross weights, which means more trucks. From tip to toe, New Zealand is 1,600 kilometres long, and the climate is extremely favourable for forestry.

Tokoroa, quite a long way south in New Zealand, is home to Evans Engineering, which makes trailers and adds equipment for timber haulage.

Evans is one of many companies in the Extendo Group. This means Evans is also an ExTe dealer.

Group MD Kjell Jonsson visited the company at the end of April.

"We make annual visits to all of our subsidiaries to check on how they are progressing. And things are progressing well," declares Kjell Jonsson. We have good products and the market is definitely on the up."

"When we were there they had just assembled a rig for delivery to Kevin O Brien of Hautapu Haulage Ltd."

The truck has folding bunks so that the trailer can be piggybacked on empty trips. The reason is the charges and tax regulations that apply in New Zealand. The truck and trailer both have ExTe E12 bunks. Note the short staves on the trailer. This is necessary to conform to max heights when the trailer is loaded on the truck. The max weight in New Zealand is 54 tons.

Left to right: Clive Jones, Sales Director at Motor Truck Distributors (NZ) Ltd, Extendo's Finance Director Lennart Bennermo, Scott Robinson, Volvo , Kjell Jonsson, Extendo Group MD, Paul Nairn, salesman at Evans, and on the far right, Evans MD S. D. Gopinath.

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NEWS

Com 90

with Com 90 – comfortable, no less.

R&C Johanssons Åkeri in Överkalix is a family business founded in the 1950s by Richard Johansson, but they bought their first truck back in 1946. The business grew and today the company is run by sons Roland and Conrad. Their biggest customer is SCA. And it was SCA who was behind the haulier's current participation in the ETT project.

 Left to right: Mechanic Bosse Hagström, Com 90 rig drivers Roger Henriksson and Torbjörn Eriksson together with Conrad Johansson, loader and partner.

 It doesn't look a great deal different to a regular timber rig. But there are 30 tons more timber on it and it's 6 metres longer.

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NEWS

Com 90 A 90-ton, 30-metre long rig equipped with ExTe Com 90 bunks. Looking good...

"Just over a year ago SCA asked us if we would take over an ETT rig, and we jumped at the chance," Conrad Johansson tells us. It's really interesting following the project so closely. There's a lot of paperwork; everything has to be documented. But I suppose it must be if we're going to draw any conclusions."

In addition to the older rig, the company also leases a fairly new 90-ton rig.

"We run from a timber terminal in Överkalix to SCA in Piteå, a distance of 160 kilometres one way. We have time for two round trips per shift, and the drivers work four days and have Fridays off. We drive on Fridays." I must say the rigs run really well out on the road," declares Conrad.

There are ExTe A10 bunks on the older rig, and Com 90 bunks on the new rig adapted for 90 tons.

"Because we drive four stacks there are a total of eight bunks on each rig. There's nothing wrong with aluminium bunks, but the Com 90 bunks are incredibly easy to work with," thinks Conrad.

And Roger Henriksson, who is one of the two employees who drive the Com 90 rig, agrees.

"Holy moly, what a difference the Com 90 makes," he says. It makes my life as a driver so much easier.

Comfortable, no less. When it's time to unload everything's already open and ready, without my getting out of the truck. And unloading is so much faster.

Despite the 90 tons and the 30-metre rig there's no big difference from driving a 60-tonner. And because the rig has two fifth wheels there are no problems at all with the turning circle.

"It all seems great," thinks Roger.

Unloaded, and ready to go.

All Torbjörn Eriksson needs to do is use the remote control to connect the lashing arms, lower the stakes and then set off on his 160 kilometre trip to Överkalix.

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NEWS

SkĂĽpafors Skogstransporter

years with Com 90 and still going strong.

Gustavsson brothers Jan and Ulf, run SkĂĽpafors Skogstransporter. There are Com 90 bunks on the truck and trailer. We wrote about this before. But five years have passed, and it's time for bit of a change. Not bunks, but the truck.

The old truck had run 620,000 kilometres and we felt it was time for a new Scania," explains Jan. But we won't be changing the Com 90 bunks. They've worked so well these past five years that we transferred them to the new truck.

The brothers have a bit of an unusual schedule that suits Com 90 to a T. "Around 30 per cent of our trips are from timber terminals to the mill, a distance of around 1 kilometre. We load and unload all timber using the truck's crane, and that naturally causes wear and tear on the truck. When it comes to the bunks there is a great deal of securing and releasing, and that's where the Com 90 is nothing but superior," declares Jan. It's quick to use, and safe. Both for us and load securing. And the working environment is fantastic.

Despite countless lashings and releases, the bunks have performed very well. We've only had to change one hose on the truck in five years. We’ve had to change a few more hoses on the trailer due to the greater stresses the gantry gives rise to. And a few lashing arms, which are also wear parts.

"But we've changed no cylinders or structural parts," explains Jan. In addition to transferring the bunks to the new truck we also moved the hydraulic tank. On the other hand the pump is new.

It costs a little more to keep these things running compared to a conventional rig. But then we have time for more loads when we're on terminal runs. We work two shifts and haul around 30 loads on average. Timber arrives at the timber terminal on other timber rigs when the woodyard is full.

Naturally, we have 'ordinary' forestry haulage jobs too.

We collect pulpwood within a radius of 50 kilometres from the mill, while timber haulage trips can be up to 100 or 150 kilometres. But one thing is certain. For us, Com 90 does a darned good job," states Jan.

Ulf Gustavssonon the left and brother Jan on the right are extremely satisfied with their new truck and the Com 90 bunks they've now been using for five years.

Soon time for the remote control and lashing. Simple and convenient.

A good-looking rig, or what?

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Coffee time and a break in the ExTe container trailer never goes amiss.

We have a plan.

But the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Things never work out the way we think they will. When Jörgen Spring and Ulf Göransson set out to meet with hauliers they naturally prepared a route plan for their trip. Having learned from previous trips they first found out where business was briskest before they planned their stops.

"And that's where we headed," declares Jörgen.

This might seem a little haphazard, but there was method in our madness. We thought it better to drive to reception points where things were in full swing instead of places where there were limitations. At least we would get to meet the most hauliers and drivers that way. And that's the whole idea behind our Truckstop roadtrip. And I can also say that people appreciate our coming."

"There's a lot of talk about the new weights; about how much and when it will happen. It obviously affects the future investment plans of haulage companies. And now there's a risk that many wait and see, and we end up with a ketchup effect when everyone tries to switch equipment at once. I hope for the sake of hauliers and ourselves that the competent authorities understand this and provide an ample notice period," says Jörgen.

Otherwise things were the way they usually are on our trips. There was a lot of interest in our products and right now about the tensioners we hope to present during the year. And as usual there was always room for another cup of coffee once people made themselves comfortable in our trailer.

Everyone is working flat out, and many – even from the south of the country – are hauling stormfelled timber up in Jämtland and Västerbotten," Jörgen tells us.

You wanna take a picture? You'll have to wait till I tidy things up a bit, thinks the driver, broom at the ready.

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meet. s r e li u a h r e ope's timb r u E e r e h us w You'll find The biggest exhibition of the year for Swedish hauliers and drivers is naturally Elmia Lastbil in August. But ExTe will also be at many other major exhibitions in Europe during the summer six months.

 ”Sommet de la forêt et du bois” Exhibitions began May 15-17 with the ”Sommet de la forêt et du bois”, in Clermont Ferrand in central France.

"Just as it is in several other central European countries, business is booming in France, too. And it's our D bunks that are in demand. "I just took a pretty good order for D bunks for a large number of rigs in France," Ingemar Larsson at ExTe tells us. "I'm convinced that we'll get more orders for D bunks following the exhibition."  Interforst München We will be present at the exhibition in Munich together with our dealer Richard Morath, who also attends all of the exhibitions where German-speaking hauliers meet.

"The German-speaking countries are strong markets for ExTe, so it's natural that we participate in their exhibitions," says Ingemar.  Internationale Holzmesse in Austria Traditionally, the exhibition in Austria also attracts many visitors from southern Europe.

"For us this means we reach many hauliers that would otherwise be difficult to meet. And the whole idea with participating in exhibitions is of course to meet hauliers – not just old acquaintances but also many new faces too," says Ingemar. The exhibition in Klagenfurt September 4-7 is therefore a great opportunity for us to meet new people.  IAA in Germany The world's leading exhibition or trucks, transporters and logistics. Naturally, ExTe will be present in Hannover September 9-10.

"A gigantic exhibition that is a must for us. "Everyone who has anything to do with timber haulage is there," explains Ingemar.

Those of you who can, be sure to visit one of the exhibitions we are present at. It's an experience guaranteed to create many new impressions. Feel free to send me an email if you're in the area, and we'll take care of you in the best way we can. ingemar.larsson@exte.se

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NEWS

Exhibitions Finland

U:555 Relax. It's not a U-boat on a sneak visit, but equally exciting. U:555 is ExTe's stand at the year's biggest event for every haulier – Elmia Lastbil.

It doesn't matter how many times you've been there. If you are timber haulier, all you need to do is visit the ExTe stand and you'll understand what we mean. There's always something new, practical and extremely clever.

"We always bring innovations to exhibitions. This year is no different. But just what the innovations are, I don't want to reveal right now," says Jörgen Spring from ExTe. Book August 20-23 for Elmia Lastbil. And above all, make sure you visit ExTe's stand. We guarantee you'll see new things and meet old friends at the very least.

These days timber hauliers are having to play the waiting game. What will the new decision on heavier loads entail, when it finally comes. There's talk of a decision before the elections, which means we may know in time for the exhibition. Discussions are bound to get heated then. What will the consequences for hauliers be; what additions to trucks and trailers will we need, new bunks? How much will it all cost? And most important of all – who pays?

Facts about Elmia Lastbil: Scandinavia's biggest truck exhibition with around 40,000 visitors, 95 per cent of whom are from the industry. And 90 per cent say they will be happy to come again next time. In addition to exhibits, demonstrations and workshops the Nordic Trophy is also awarded at the exhibition.

Trivia: The area is trodden by 89,000 shoes during the exhibition days. That's around 26,700 metres or the same length as just over 1,000 25-metre rigs.

The ExTe stand at the exhibition is the natural place for all timber hauliers to meet and discuss this.

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Australia loves the Luftman tensioner.

A really good-looking rig from Australia belonging to Mangan Haulage from Oberon, New South Wales. The truck and trailer are equipped with ExTe's E12 bunks and Luftman tensioners, which are greatly appreciated in Australia. The rig is 23 metres long; six of the bunks can be slid to adjust for timber lengths of 2.5 m, 4.8 m and 6 m. Mangan Haulage has invested in an additional 23-metre rig and two 19-metre rigs. At 2.5 m wide and 4.3 m high, rig width and height are the maximum permissible. The 23-metre rig can take a 57 ton payload.

The trucks and bunks have a different flair, but otherwise just like timber haulage in Sweden. style

Looking up in Austria

Running before the wind.

Austria follows the same pattern as most other central European countries.

Full speed ahead is a rather mild description of the first four months of the year in ExTe's production facilities.

The market is stable, and has performed extremely well this year. Contacts with our dealers in Austria go through Richard Morath from ExTe Vertriebs Gmbh in Germany.

"Running before a storm showing sporadic signs of hurricane strength winds would be more like it," declares Magnus Johansen, Production Manager at ExTe. Following last year's more normal production levels things picked up with a vengeance in the new year.

Magnus has taken on new personnel to meet demand.

Schwarzm端ller is a major dealer who recently installed D bunks for timber haulier Rutter. The truck and trailer both have D7 bunks.

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"There are normally around 32 employees in the factory.

There have been more than 40 since the new year. Our sales have been a good bit above budget, and that places greater demands on us in production," he tells us. "Sure, it's been hectic, but the atmosphere is extremely good. It seems everyone thinks it's great that there's a lot to do.

"We're fully booked as far as aluminium bunks, steel frames and stakes are concerned. At present there are four employees welding aluminium frames. Production of D bunks for delivery throughout Europe is running flat out, and it's the same for S bunks for the Finnish and German markets."

"And despite the fact that production is running at top speed, we must find time to invest in improvements," says Magnus. "Investing is an ongoing job to achieve more efficient production and higher quality. One example is our recent investment in the wash facility before the paint shop.

More efficient washing means that paint adheres better," explains Magnus.

It was more than a little crowded but the atmosphere was great when the group gathered in the container trailer for a theoretical review and an obligatory coffee break.

Com 90 – a new chapter in the history of Töva.

The Töva timber terminal was established in 1968 to handle timber arriving both by rail and road for storage before onward transport to industries or the coast.

The Com 90 veteran in the picture is Milton Spring in the blue jacket, seen here describing and demonstrating how the Com 90 works.

NEWS

Töva

The terminal is 20 kilometres from Sundsvall, where SCA has industrial plant. The extensive transportation from the terminals has been taken up by politicians time after time. An alternative rail route was to have been completed by 2000 to avoid road haulage. Things didn't quite turn out that way. The timber trucks continue to run from the Töva terminal to the industry.

And the way things look they will remain the most important link between the terminal and the industry for many years to come. And then perhaps we'll have to find other solutions.

"The discussion about the new, heavier loads has of course opened new opportunities, says Jörgen Spring at ExTe. "We are currently building three rigs which will soon be in operation. Stage one will involve loading 74 tons. Compared to today's 60 tons this is already a substantial increase in load volume. Stage two will of course involve an increase to 90 tons.

The three new rigs will be equipped with ExTe Com 90 bunks. The rapid lashing and unloading that Com 90 involves is interesting, especially for this kind of transport. It also means an entirely new and improved working environment for drivers," emphasizes Jörgen.

ExTe has carried out training on site in Töva in order to prepare both the drivers who will be using the Com 90 rigs and those who will be loading. Drivers and loaders from Benny Hultmans Åkeri and the Ferm Group participated. A happy team looking forward to using the new rigs.

At the control panel the participants could test the different Com 90 features such as remote controlled lashing, and raising and lowering the stakes.

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NEWS

Poland

Sometimes time is in short supply. Here we see the 'night shift' getting the stand ready in time for the exhibition.

Making good speed in Poland.

Attending the Polish exhibition in Kielce is almost as important for ExTe as being present at the Mittia trade fair. This year's exhibition exceeded everyone's expectations, and the 58,000 visitors kept the stands busy every day.

"Along with MHS from Wilkowo we were the only bodybuilders to exhibit," Ingemar Larsson from ExTe tells us. In other words there were no bunks or stakes there other than ExTe's. Southern Poland is a good area for ExTe, and we had many excellent visitors to our stand. MHS, who is also our dealer, was extremely satisfied with the exhibition. We took several orders home with us," declares Ingemar.

Damian Osouch from MHS promoting ExTe in a conversation with an interested visitor.

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And interested visitors usually result in new business.

In addition to the exhibition we took the opportunity to visit a few bodybuilders, among others Istrail Golub-Dobrzyn. Things are going well and they are currently fitting out around 100 trucks – among other telescopic stakes for the Russian market. Istrail has also begun fitting out trucks.

NEWS

Töva

Top speed at the Golub-Dobrzyn workshop.

 Right now Istrail is building a demo truck for Mercedes with a Björna offloader and ExTe's A 10 bunks. There will also be a trailer with A10 bunks.

The rig will traffic the region around Östersund and will be exhibited at Elmia Lastbil this summer.  New trucks waiting for equipment.

MHS in Wilkowo.

MHS stands for Mikulski Hydraulika Serwis. The company is the biggest bodybuilder in Poland with around 60 employees. It is certified by MAN, Scania, Mercedes and Volvo.

Graco Plochoin is another bodybuilder that collaborates with ExTe. The company has now moved into new premises around 20 km outside Warsaw. The facilities are very attractive, neat and tidy with good access to the motorway.

MHS buys primarily E, D and 144 bunks from ExTe. MHS is in regular contact with ExTe's Ingemar Larsson, who is responsible for parts of eastern Europe. MHS continues to develop and they are currently building a new production hall with a gantry. There is a new paint shop with powder coating facilities for small parts.

Graco builds 6-7 timber trucks per year with their own superstructure. They have no proprietary production but purchase ready-cut metal from local suppliers. They buy primarily 144 QL stakes and flatbed sockets from ExTe. But interest in D bunks is also on the rise in Poland. In addition to the bunk's strength, low weight is a strong competitive edge.

One of MHS's customers has brought his truck in for service and is seen here in conversation with Raymond Mikulski, MHS's owner, and Damian Osouch.

Timber truck that is almost fully equipped with 144 QL stakes.

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NEWS

Rallycross

Generation shift in Rallycross.

No-one can forget Lasse Larsson's successes on the RallyCross tracks in Sweden and the rest of Europe. “Riding along with Lasse is like being kicked in the stomach by a horse,” said one poetic ExTe employee, when he was taken on a demo run a year or so ago.

Lasse has left competition driving behind him, but there will still be a Larsson ready and able to provide the kicks. These days Lasse's son Robin does the driving. And he's insanely fast. Of course, he aims to be just as good as his dad, preferably better.

Robin is 22 and has plenty of time to get all the competition experience he needs. And there's no faulting his back-up. Included in the team promoting Robin are his dad Lars and Mikael Jernberg, another very successful rallycross driver.

Robin test drove his new Audi 1 in Strängnäs before the rallycross season. He did around 100 laps with fabulous times, which is really promising when it's time to face the competition.

If you want to follow Robin's rallycross progress, visit the team's website at robinlarsson.com

Robin is the new Larsson generation on the rallycross tracks.

Robin's day job is as a truck driver at his dad's haulage firm.

The team that supports Robin includes both Mikael Jernberg left, and dad Lasse Larsson.

Nothing like making the others breathe dust. Seen here at practice in Strängnäs.

Or why not go to the race meets. The next one is on May 29 in Arvika, followed by competitions in Norway in June 14-15. Then it's Strängnäs June 26, and July 5-6 at the classic Höljes track. The full race calendar is available on Robin's website.

"We sponsored Lasse when he was active and now we're doing the same for Robin," says Jörgen Spring at ExTe. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed hoping Robin and his entire team have a successful season.

MoRek now has a presence in Tromsö.

Tromsö is not quite, but almost, as far north as you can get in Norway. A lot farther north than Abisko in Sweden. With almost 60,000 inhabitants, Tromsö is a living hub in an area that would have been depopulated ages ago had it been in Sweden.

But in Norway they have a different philosophy. In Norway, the whole country must live.

Tromsö even has a university – the world's most northerly. And this year ExTe's collaborative partner MoRek opened an affiliate to improve accessibility and service for its customers in the region. Not because there's a great deal of timber haulage – indeed, there's hardly any. On the other hand, other heavy haulage is all the more common.

"We've established a stock with around 1,00 different part numbers in Tromsö," explains Torgeir Stensli, Administrative Director at MoRek. The new premises are located in facilities at Hellanor, a major, well-known supplier of automotive spares. "We are able to make use of their transport routes and thus gain access to fast, efficient distribution," explains Torgeir Stensli.

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More D bunks to Scotland.

ExTe is a major player in the Scottish market, and since Hogmanay ExTe's products have been in great demand, above all for D5 and D7 bunks.

"Our E bunks were the favourite combination bunks among our customers. Because the new combination bunks in the D Series are even lighter, they've swung things to the D bunks' advantage," Ingemar Larsson tells us.

We have previously mentioned John Miller Ltd, a major haulage company in Scotland. They have now invested in a new type of truck from Mercedes, the first ever used for timber haulage in the UK. D bunks have been installed on both the truck and trailers by ExTe's collaborative partner and dealer, JD Engineering Ltd. "In actual fact this new rig fitted with D bunks has increased the interest in Scotland for timber haulage," states Ingemar Larsson.

John Miller's latest timber truck with ExTe D bunks. The first assignment was to haul timber from the estate at Drumlanrig Castle to a sawmill in Lockerbie.

Photo: Euan Adamson.

ExTe on the way up in the Land of the Rising Sun. Hauliers in Japan have transported timber for many hundreds of years using stakes as thin as Samurai swords.

Maybe we’re exaggerating, but the business is a bit old fashioned seen from our perspective. Like Sweden in the 60s. In Japan flatbeds are 90 per cent of the solutions. And don't even think about trailers. But now a new era is dawning where ExTe products will replace the domestic bunks.

ExTe is represented in Japan by Forest Technique Ltd. Satoru Kira runs the company while his wife Naoko Kira takes care of administration. Apart from being ExTe's representative in Japan, the company is also a forestry contractor.

Forest Technique has chosen to invest in ExTe products. "They are the most reliable on the market and are of an excellent design," thinks Naoko Kira. "We want to introduce more efficient methods and modern equipment into Japan, and we would like to see timber transportation regulations that focus on safety."

ExTe's Per Jonasson flanked on the right by Mr Mukai, Mukai Forest and on the left by Mr Kohoku, Kohoku Forest Company with the newly acquired S6 bunks and ExTe's dealer Mr Saturo Kira from Forest Technique Ltd.

We also visited Koide Forest during the trip, represented here by Mr Koide and Koide junior, who have two rigs with C60 Quicklock stakes. It is a 6-ton stake with a rounded C profile, used mainly with flatbed sockets that allows the driver to easily transfer the stake to different positions.

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County Governor Barbro Holmberg awarded the prize to Entrepreneur of the Year, Kjell Jonsson. The prize is awarded in memory of Lasse Svenders, Ljusdal.

The presenters at the gala in Hudiksvall were Pär Johansson and Agneta SjÜdin.

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NEWS

Entrepreneur of the Year

Kjell Jonsson – Hälsingland's Entrepreneur, 2014.

In early May, a very happy, proud Kjell Jonsson received the Hälsingland's Entrepreneur award for 2014.

"This county is full of competent, creative entrepreneurs. To be selected from that eminent body is a great honour.

At the same time, I would like to add that without my capable colleagues, ExTe would not be what it is today. I regard this award as testimony to the single-minded spirit of cooperation that characterizes the company.

In addition to being the MD for ExTe, Kjell is also MD for the entire Extendo Group. Together with many other entrepreneurs and business leaders he took part in this year's edition of Eldklotet (Ball of Fire), a recurring business enterprise gala in Gävleborg. The objective is to promote successful, innovative companies in different industries. But only one person can be Hälsingland's Entrepreneur. And this year it was our very own Kjell Jonsson.

"But everything has a beginning. I came to ExTe in 1982 as a product developer and very soon became a Jack-of-all-Trades. In 1985, two colleagues and I bought ExTe. I took on the role of MD. Extendo was also founded then. It was a tough, but very interesting phase of ExTe's development. We were able to build on the international development that company had already begun back in the 1970s. Our 144 series steel bunks were a great export success and are still in demand in central and southern Europe. And our export successes have continued. ExTe's timber bunks and automatic tensioners are sold all over the world.

Our strategy is to always stay one step ahead with new products A good example is our E bunks, which were the lightest combination bunks on the market when they arrived in the beginning of the millennium.

Today, our D bunks have taken over that position.

When we launched A bunks made entirely of aluminium in the middle of the 2000s, they became a major seller.

Our absolute premium product is the Com 90 bunks; operated by remote control they provide the driver with an unbeatable working environment.

Hälsingland today is home to the world's leading timber bunk and tensioner manufacturer, right here in the middle of the forest.

We naturally have our ups and downs. While some factors such as the business climate are beyond our influence, a great deal still depends on us. Perhaps the most important success factor is our ability to listen to timber hauliers and their drivers At ExTe, indeed in the whole Group, we choose to rely on our customers' good judgement. They know what they need. Their ideas and opinions are often the basis for our own R&D. Thanks to them we've succeeded through the years when we've launched new products.

But don't wait for us to rest on our laurels. That would be out of character. Just wait, and see" says Kjell.

In 2003 I became sole owner of the Extendo Group.

Many people ask about motivation. There are several reasons why I'm so committed. Solving problems, creating new conditions for people, meeting interesting individuals, finding new solutions, developing as a person, having the ability to realize ideas – both my own and those from many competent employees.

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Berners Tunga Fordon at ExTe. A visit to ExTe has become a bit of a tradition when Berners Tunga Fordon (Berners' Heavy Vehicles) are out and about.

Christian Brorsson, a salesman at Berners in Östersund, had gathered together a motley crew with the primary objective of visiting the Scania factory in Södertälje.

"There were hauliers both young and old, a few drivers and a teacher from the automotive vocational training school and some insurance company representatives. An assortment of backgrounds, but most rewarding for all, I believe. And a visit to ExTe on the way home went without saying," says Christian.

"We travelled down to Södertälje one Thursday, devoted part of Friday to the Scania factory visit – the foundry, the chassis line and their museum before travelling up to ExTe, where we were met by Jörgen Spring.

Everything was well organized with a guided tour of the factory, good food, a sauna a hot tub. Everyone had a lot of fun and really enjoyed themselves.

"And they were very pleasant, considerate visitors," adds Jörgen .

"The most impressive thing of all is that they've succeeded in creating a business that is the world leader in its industry out here in the middle of the Hälsingland backwoods. It demands a lot of competence and high standards in things like welding, the development of new products and above all sales to succeed," notes Christian.

Load securing is a concept. We invented it.

ExTe Fabriks AB, SE-820 41 Färila Sweden. Tel: +46 (0)651 175 00. Fax: +46 (0)651 175 03. E-mail: info@exte.se www.exte.se