NEWSLETTER FROM WIBAX ∙ NO 2 ∙ DECEMBER 2013
”ONE STEP CLOSER”
BIO-OIL
- WIBAX business growth area
Message from the MD We are approaching a new year and I can say that 2013 has been a challenging year for the company. A challenge that we have taken and managed well during the year. We have added another subsidiary in Finland and also added a number of new products and application areas. With the European continent starting to breathe some economic optimism, this enables us also to look positively into the future. With this year’s heating season launched, we are hoping for a cold winter. Cold, might be a negative word to others but despite that, it is good to consider the business opportunity that it brings. A word that is to us is particularly significant, given our energy products that are constantly growing stronger over the years. Despite a colder climate outside, we work to be a company that warms up with camaraderie and dedication, this by understanding our common goals and the importance of close collaboration. Together we create success and communicate it in a slogan ”One step closer” which for us means that the successes that we harvest are all equally important regardless of size, and that we succeed best by our close proximity to customers, suppliers, and all of us together. These, cumulatively takes us one step closer to the goal. I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I guarantee that we will do our utmost to make your 2014 the best year to date. Jonas Wiklund MD WIBAX AB
Editor– Jonas Wiklund Production – WIBAX Graphic design– Mawix Art Photo – Magnus Sundström m.fl. Print – RC Tryck
Customer-driven development of
specialty chemicals WIBAX Tech AB is an independent company of the Wibax Group which is responsible for the Group’s need for high technology competence. It is composed of specialists in chemistry and industrial processes. We develop products and continuously listen to the market and customers, their needs for today and tomorrow. Consumers are becoming more and more aware of environmental and sustainable issues concerning products, resulting to an increased demand for more environment friendly alternatives.
Using fossil-free or environment friendly fuel is for many users the obvious choice. Within the pulp and paper industry, tall oil is widely used for producing renewable fuels which in effect creates a big demand for tall oil nowadays. Here we see opportunity to develop special chemicals that can facilitate and optimize the production of tall oil. One product for instance enables soap seperation and also surfactants that can replace tall oil in hard wood pulping. Our work and assignments come from our customers. Do not hesitate to contact us with questions and ideas about different products that might be of interest.
The energy sector is a key focus area in Sweden and we see bio-oil as an important product for Wibax business growth. Energy customers across the country have increased their demand for bio-oil. This gives opportunity for Wibax to establish itself as bio-oil supplier in southern Sweden. We recently completed installation of a new bio-oil cistern tank in our terminal in Norrköping. There are plans to install more storage tanks in our other terminals in the south. Next in the pipe line will be a bio-oil cistern tank in our Uddevalla terminal. This would enable us to cover and service most of the markets in southern Sweden. Wibax is purchasing bio-oil globally. We source product by working closely with the producers in order to customize and adapt high quality bio-oil products for the Nordic market. Stability of supply and consistency of product quality are important requisites to be successful
in this business plus proof of sustainability of the product. In order to verify if our sustainability control process is in accordance with existing regulations, ÅF Infrastructure AB conducted an independent audit for Wibax Energy. With our control system approved, we are sure that we can provide customers with tax reduced bio fuel. Wibax can also assist customers in their application for Sustainability Certificates. Together with the customer, we go through which product can fit in their requirements. We can also help with the installation, pilot testing, optimization and technical evaluation. With strategically located terminals combined with a comprehensive fleet of tank trucks, we can offer cost efficient logistic solutions to the customers. This ensures meeting customer’s requirement of just in time deliveries.
A Talk During Fuel Saving Coaching Forum – Magnus Sundström
Magnus Sundström, MD WIBAX Logistics delivered a speech on Fuel Saving Coaching Forum for Sustainable Transport in Stockholm on 26th September 2013. The forum’s topic was “”Incentives to more Sustainable Transport and Entrepreneurship”. There were 70 representatives from different industries during the forum. Magnus gave a speech on “Leadership for more Sustainable Transport” explaining how Wibax Logistics effect this in the organization. This work of the company has received attention largely due to the recognition received during the Big Transport Prize award. Magnus explained how they transformed work processes with driver coaching for lower fuel consumption. “How we work with legislative compliance and monitoring driving behaviour, rest times, work values and performance management.” The day ended with a panel discussion where all participants answered questions from Ulf PilerotTrafikverket, who was the forum moderator for the day. It was a very rewarding day with many new ideas discussed but also a confirmation that WIBAX has come a long way in its sustainability efforts.
Fredrik Sjöström
Winner of
WIBAX Industrial offers service and maintenance contracts in many areas in industrial environment, especially in the paper, steel and mining industries. “ “We have just expanded our business area in southern Sweden with the addition of Tor-Björn Claesson as Area Business Manager. He has previously worked in a company with an established market in the surface protection. We can renovate, surface protect, seal and strengthen surfaces using high tech products like Polyurea, CPU composite, UHPC and by injection. Area of usage are flooring, embankments, pulp storage, tanks, roofs, etc.
FACTS
Chauffeur SM 2013!
Competing against one hundred drivers, Fredrik Sjöström, Piteå won this year’s Chauffeur -SM in fuel-efficient driving! Fredrik Sjostrom, who is competing for WIBAX Logistics, managed to hold the top spot throughout the final round. There is a total of six drivers competing for WIBAX Logistics, five out of six landed among the top 13. Another Wibax driver, Katrin Öhlund, Piteå ended up at a good 5th place. The winners of the top 5 spots will be awarded at Åkerigalan which will be held at Cafe Opera in Stockholm on 14th May 2014.
WIBAX Industrial cleans and surface protects WIBAX Industrial can also offer complete cleaning work, both chemical and mechanical cleaning. With specially customized chemical products and right equipments, we can offer a complete cost effective solution based on the needs of the customer. These are just some of the services we offer, please contact us for more information!”
Katrin Öhlund
Here we have isolated a cistern tank with polyurethane foam- closed cells. Afterwards, we sprayed the surface with Polyurea. The tank now has a well-insulated roof with a surface that is denser, more durable, UV and chemical resistant.
Here we sprayed an industrial floor with Polyurea, the floor gets a new coating that is denser, durable and more chemical resistant. The floor will also look tidier and easier to keep clean.
Sweden has Europe’s most ecofriendly trucking operation - thanks to all of country’s highly professional and skilled drivers. Svensk Åkeritidning, in cooperation with transport trade show/exhibition Elmia Lastbil 2012, kicked off Chauffeur -SM in fuel-efficient driving in order to highlight driver’s importance in environmental protection work and show how much companies can save with highly motivated and professional drivers .
POSTAGE PREPAID
INTERVIEW
WIBAX partnership with Freudenberg Freudenberg Household Products AB (FHP) is one of the leading international manufacturers in household care industry. Product range from sponge cloth that is in existence from 1949 started in Norrköping and is now being marketed under the brand name Vileda and Wettex. FHP is a subsidiary of the Freudenberg Group, a privately held German company. The Group has sales of approximately 5.3 billion Euros and has about 34,000 employees worldwide.
The company’s global production of sponge cloths is located in Norrköping where about 120 employees work. Total production is 200 million of sponge cloths per year. WIBAX has been supplying chemicals to FHP for quite a long time; chemicals like caustic soda, sulfuric acid, and magnesium chloride to FHPs production site in Norrköping. In 2010, Wibax was able to provide a customized special product to FHP. The product WiTREAT601W is the result of close collaboration between FHP and WIBAX Tech. The product is a wetting agent that is used to facilitate the manufacturing process of sponge cloth. WiTREAT601W helps cotton wool become moderately wet so it mixes well, does not clump and then spread out like a net. The cloth will then be strong and have a high absorbency.
Magnus Swartz - Purchaser How do you see the cooperation with WIBAX and how this has contributed to your production processes? - WIBAX is a key supplier for us because they can develop tailor-made solutions. For us it means that we have a good quality of cloth. The collaboration with WIBAX enables us to streamline the usage of customized chemicals. Wibax is competitive in bulk deliveries of chemicals because they have a local terminal near our production site in Norrköping.
Comments from our employees…
What qualities of a supplier do you believe are important? - It is important to be customer focused and that WIBAX caught up well, you know the rules of the game, product must come with the right price while you can put in more resources to produce specialty chemicals.
YONGHONG WANG, Purchaser
Overall do you think WIBAX is a competent supplier? - Yes, I think so. WIBAX helps develop a good and long term solution for the customer. How would you describe your experience regarding reception and cooperation with WIBAX employees? - It has been great. Even though WIBAX has grown a lot during the past years, it is still easy to get hold of the right person and get fast answers.
TONI KILPELÄINEN Automative engineering manager
- I have been working as a Purchaser for Wibax for over 4 years now. I have contacts mainly with international market as I buy raw materials from China, Australia and Europe. I have just moved from Piteå and now works in the WIBAX office in Stockholm. WIBAX has enjoyed considerable growth, not only in terms of annual report numbers but also in terms of business attitude. WIBAX are more open to opportunities and now ventures into new markets outside Sweden. WIBAX has recently established itself in Kotka, Finland. This is a good sign that WIBAX is about to grow internationally as well.
- I have been working for WIBAX since 1998. Over the years I had been doing different assignments as driver, truck mechanic and terminal manager. Now I am the one overlooking the operations of Wibax tank trucks workshop together with three highly competent tank trucks specialists working on automotive engineering. The job involves a lot of complex problems and solutions which for me is very stimulating. I appreciate the close cooperation between all departments of WIBAX and to be working with talented and nice colleagues just makes work so much easier and fun.
Do you feel that WIBAX keeps to its promises? - Yes, I think so. Regarding delivery of bulk chemicals, WIBAX delivers about 4-5 tank trucks of chemicals per week. We are very pleased with WIBAX drivers who are service oriented and does a very good job.
COMPANY PROFILE WIBAX is a high technology specialist company that buys, processes, sells and distributes specialized and basic chemicals to industries. We focus our efforts on development in all areas from procurement and logistics to customer collaboration, technology, production and service. WIBAX continues to grow and has a sales turnover of around 600 million Swedish crowns in 2012. The company has currently 130 employees in the Group.
Batterigatan 12 · 941 47 PITEÅ · Phone: +46 (0)911-250 200 · E-mail: info@wibax.se www.wibax.se