Sapa Group - Shape Magazine 2004 # 2 - Aluminium / Aluminum

Shape

A magazine from the Sapa group • # 2 2004

MAVIC MAKES WORLD-CLASS BICYCLE RIMS FROM PROFILES

French Revolution SAPA’S LARGEST MARKET EXPANDS

HOW NEW CEO WANTS TO SHAPE SAPA NEW PRODUCTION SYSTEM IMPROVES CUSTOMER SERVICE SALES CLIMB FOR SMART LADDER

CONTENTS

Sapa – the natural choice

C

hristmas is just around the corner and we will all be able to take a short break before beginning 2005. From a business perspective, 2004 has been a year in which the economy has improved and industry in general has enjoyed a favourable development. Since Sapa has a broad customer base, we have been able to expand our deliveries, suggesting that our customers are also developing well. Several of our companies have enjoyed very favourable development during the year. Earnings have improved and we have strengthened our market positions. We have worked on meeting customers’ requirements on service, delivery times, quality and so forth to an even greater extent. This process will be intensified during 2005, with the goal of Sapa becoming the natural first choice when purchasing profiles, components or heat-transfer materials.

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14-15

16

AN IMPORTANT BUILDING BLOCK in these efforts is

Genesis – Sapa’s version of the Toyota Production System. Here, we have initiated a comprehensive process within Sapa Heat Transfer and Sapa Profiles in Sweden. During the final quarter of the year, we are beginning the process in additional Group companies. For Sapa’s continued development, it is important to maintain a favourable mix of acquisitions and organic growth. Consequently, we have decided to invest slightly more than EUR 14 M in an expansion of Sapa Heat Transfer’s production facilities in Shanghai. The investment will secure our already strong position in China and Asia and it confirms our ambition to become a leading global supplier of heatexchanger strip to the automotive industry. We have decided to invest in a third press in Poland. This confirms our interest in Eastern Europe while also reinforcing our market position in Poland. During the year, value-added operations in Poland have also developed strongly. Our trend in valueadded processing has also been strengthened through the establishment of new plants in China and Lithuania. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers for their confidence in us during 2004. I would also like to thank our employees, whose efforts have contributed to our favourable development. Finally, I would like to wish everyone a successful 2005.

Kåre Wetterberg President and CEO 2 SHAPE • No. 2 2004

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19 Sapa’s success in France

Robots take over warehouses

Today, France is Sapa’s largest market . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6–7

Stable aluminium profiles a necessity . . . . . . . . . . . . .14–15

World-class bicycle wheels from France

Exclusive waste station with aluminium profiles

Mavic’s rims a popular choice among professional cyclists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Landmark for travellers on Sweden’s E4 highway....16

New President not new to Sapa

Tips on aluminium-profile design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Interview with Kåre Wetterberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10–11

Profile School: Cross section for right tolerances The ladder everyone suddenly wanted Sales climbed after television show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Fun and efficiency at work Sapa invests in new production system . . . . . . . .12-13

Shaping the future

Shape is the Sapa Group’s customer magazine. It is published in eight languages twice annually for customers, shareholders, analysts, journalists, employees and others. Shape is also avail-

able via the Internet at www.sapagroup.com Editor-in-Chief: Eva Ekselius Production: OTW Publishing Changes of address: Customers should

BRIEF NOTICES

Apple opts for aluminium

The strength, low weight and conductivity are reasons why Apple has chosen aluminium for its latest computer models.

Thin and lightweight but durable. That is why Apple chose aluminium for its latest computers. “An aluminium case need not be as thick to offer the same strength,” says Markus Danilsons, president of Swedish dealer Macoteket. When the Power Mac G5 stationary computer was launched a year or so ago, the entire case was in natural-colour aluminium. The latest portable Powerbook G4 series is also encased in aluminium. The weight of these computers is the lowest among portable computers on the market – between two and slightly more than three kilos depending on the size of the monitor. “Another advantage of aluminium is its efficiency in conducting heat. Fast processors generate a lot of heat. An aluminium casing can dissipate that heat quickly,” he adds.

Keen interest in barstool

Dafo’s fire extinguishers are popular for buses and trucks.

This barstool, which is made with aluminium profiles, combines durability and strength with attractiveness, low weight and comfort. It was displayed at the Adesso Gallery in Stockholm for two weeks, during which it attracted enthusiastic comment. The chair was designed by Swedish set designer and furniture maker Anders Olin. “I wanted a lightweight, strong chair with a chic look, so aluminium profiles were the obvious choice,” he says. Unlike most barstools, which are often heavy and awkward, the Olin barstool is so light that even children and seniors can lift it. There are only five of the barstools in existence to date. However, Anders Olin is hoping to produce an initial series of not less than 500 barstools soon.

Complex container extinguishes fires Recently, Dafo Brands sales of fire extinguishers have increased rapidly. Dafo Brands installs approximately 2,000 fire extinguishers a year – in buses, trucks and heavy vehicles. Sapa has been delivering the profiles for the containers for about one year. “The processing and surface treatment of the profiles is quite demanding,” says Crister Roswall, Sapa’s sales representative in charge of the account. “There is a high degree of difficulty involved in extruding the profile for the container, which makes this relationship special and interesting.” Sapa’s profiles for the containers consist of an inner and an outer shell, top and bottom end pieces and a piston inside the container.

inform their contact person at Sapa, shareholders the institution that manages their account, employees their salary department and others the Communications Department on

Brits jack up the tempo “Time is money” is a saying with which Sapa customers readily agree. According to a survey conducted by Sapa Profiles in the UK, customers want to shorten lead times further. To meet the customer requirements, Sapa Profiles has now opened a new warehouse and distribution centre. Les Elliott, MD of Sapa Profiles, is convinced that the new centre will have the desired effect. “The main reason customers choose

+46 8 459 59 00. Sapa is an international business group, which develops, manufactures and markets value-added aluminium profiles, profile-based components and systems, and heat-exchanger strip

in aluminium. Sapa has sales of approximately EUR 1.5 billion and has nearly 7,800 employees throughout Europe and in the US and China. Contributing writers in this issue: Mats

us is that we can offer the entire chain, from design and manufacturing to processing, if desired,” he says. “Our approach gives us excellent control over the production process and the ability to keep lead times short – which has proven to be increasingly important, particularly as regards developing new products. Our new distribution centre will help increase our efficiency and simplify the flow of production from order to delivery.”

Lundström, Patrik Angemalm, Kalle Assbring, Maurizio Camagna, Carl Hjelm, Cajsa Högberg, Susanne Johansson, Jörgen Lindqvist, Maria Marrero, Helena Trus, Gustav Vidlund.

No. 2 2004 • SHAPE 3

BRIEF NOTICES

New plant in China

Czech company Alukov uses patterned aluminium profiles in its pool covers.

Decorative pool cover with Decoral Imitation wood or stone, or bright colours. Decoral makes it possible to coat aluminium profiles with the pattern or colour of your choice. Decoral is a type of patterned powder coating that creates unlimited possibilities for patterned surfaces. A company that appreciates this decorative finesse is the Czech company Alukov, which designs pool covers that are sold throughout Europe. The profiles are extruded at the Sapa plant in Poland, but the actual surface treatment using Decoral is carried out by Sapa in Sweden. “Cross-border co-operation between Sapa companies expands the range of possibilities available to customers. The Decoral technique,

which to date is used only at Sapa in Sweden, is a good example of that,” says Mariusz Sobczak, export manager at Sapa’s Polish subsidiary. Decoral can be described as a patterned powder coating. A specially mixed powder coating is applied to the profile first, and then the pattern is transferred to the profile. The pattern original is often a photographic image of, say, wood or stone. The original is copied onto a film that is the carrier of the pigments forming the image. The Decoral technique ensures deep penetration. The result is a surface that has all the properties that are characteristic of traditional powder coating.

Sapa is investing increasingly in the rapidly growing Chinese market. In May, Sapa Profiler AB in Sweden opened a new processing plant in Shanghai. The aim is to become a complete supplier of processed aluminium profiles in China. The most important customers are the Swedish telecom company Ericsson and the American IT company Hewlett Packard, HP. One reason for the establishment in China is the forecasts of ongoing strong growth in the local market. “Several of our customers, particularly Ericsson, are already well established here. We have chosen to follow their lead, so that we will continue to be able to provide them with optimal service,” says Lars Forsberg, who is in charge of the Shanghai plant. The automotive industry is also increasingly locating manufacturing facilities in China. “It has a strong need for a supplier that can supply it with high-quality components on site,” says Lars Forsberg. Sapa started its operations in Shanghai in 1996. Just 100 metres from the newly opened processing plant is the Sapa Heat Transfer facility that produces heat-exchanger strip for the automotive industry.

Strong forecasts for China persuade Sapa to invest in new plant in Shanghai.

Dualframe system in popular UK apartment building In the popular Docklands area of London, a newly constructed, eight-storey building containing 60 apartments features Sapa Dualframe aluminium doors and windows. The building, which has been named “Switch House,” is located a stone’s throw from central London and offers tenants a magnificent view of the Thames. Sapa’s Dualframe system has been used to

4 SHAPE • No. 2 2004

reinforce the architect’s dynamic design. The aluminium doors and windows convey a sense of modernity, purity of line and lightness. Not only the external doors and windows come from Sapa the balcony doors are also a Sapa product. Switch House is just one of many apartment buildings where the Dualframe system has been used.

Sapa’s doors and windows keep most things out It has now become even more difficult for thieves to get past Sapa’s Dualframe “lowthreshold doors.” The doors have withstood weather and safety tests qualifying them for certification by UK standards organisation BSI. This also applies to Sapa’s Dualframe 75 mm window system, which keeps out cold, moisture and heat. Like the doors, the windows are also designed to withstand strong exterior pressure, such as during storms.

“The Dualframe system has grown increasingly popular with customers,” says Jon Palethorpe, head of sales and marketing at Sapa Building Systems. “The fact that we have passed these tests will help our customers to secure further business contracts.” One reason why Jon Palethorpe views the certifications as so crucial is the growing importance of the security standard in business specifications – in both the public and private sectors.

Sapa’s Dualframe windows keep out cold, air, heat and thieves.

“Customers are welcome to visit us with their ideas,” says Paulius Velicka (centre), managing director of the Lithuanian plant at the opening.

Almost 50,000 curious visitors were drawn to visit the InnoTrans trade fair.

New plant opened in rapidly growing Lithuania

Visitor record at InnoTrans in Berlin

In October, Sapa opened a new processing plant in Lithuania – UAB Sapa Profiliai. The plant is located in the country’s second-largest city, Kaunas. Sapa opened a sales office in Lithuania back in 1998. Its mandate was to help customers with technical solutions for the aluminium profiles that were imported from Sweden. Development has been rapid since then. Today, the plant employs 43 people. A sales office for building systems has also been opened in the capital, Vilnius. “We have major plans for the facility in Kaunas and ambitious plans generally to expand in the Baltic region and Eastern Europe,” says Arne Rengstedt, managing director of Sapa Profiler and in charge of Sapa’s activities throughout the rest of Scandinavia, the Baltic region and Eastern Europe.

Sapa Mass Transportation participated for the second time in the international InnoTrans trade fair in Berlin, September 21 to 24. This year, the fair attracted close to 47,000 visitors, up 25 per cent from 2002. The increased interest strengthens InnoTrans’s position as the foremost meeting-place for decision-makers and other stakeholders in the train industry. The areas represented at the fair were train technology, infrastructure, public transportation, IT transport and service. Sapa Mass Transportation was presented to visitors at a stand that occupied 45 square metres. A broad selection of interior and exterior solutions was displayed – solutions developed in close co-operation with some of the market-leading producers of train materials.

Sapa Profiliai’s largest and most important customer is IKEA. “We should be able to double our sales in this country within one or two years,” says Lars Forsberg, head of manufacturing at Sapa Profiler AB in Sweden. “We expect more than half of our production to go to IKEA. The rest goes to export and other local customers.” The managing director of the Lithuanian plant, Paulius Velicka, is convinced that Sapa will be the market-leader in processing of aluminium profiles in Lithuania. “We are entrepreneurs. We like partnerships and are professional in our undertakings. Customers are welcome to visit us with their ideas, thoughts and dreams, which we want to help them realise.” “Basically, we intend to help ‘shape the future,’” said Paulius at the opening of the plant.

No. 2 2004 • SHAPE 5

PHOTO: MAURIZIO CAMAGNA

SAPA IN FRANCE

Presses in France busy round the clock In ten years, France has become Sapa’s largest market. The presses at the facility in southern France operate round the clock. Behind the success lies Sapa’s ability to listen and understand its customers.

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he Sapa plant at Puget in southern France is essentially never still. The presses are run on a three-shift schedule, day and night including Saturday and Sunday. They are only still during the Christmas holidays and the summer holiday month, August. Fernand Venturi is the Managing Director of Sapa Profilés in Puget, about an hour by car from Nice. For him, it is important to spend time on the production floor. When he is at the plant, he is careful to greet everyone and stop and chat a while. “We were a family company to begin with and our employees have not lost this feeling,” explains Fernand Venturi as we stroll through the plant. At Sapa Profilés, we have no ‘Big Bosses.’”

Sapa Profilés’ excellent performance is based on a simple strategy: hear what customers want and understand their needs.

ACCORDING TO FERNAND VENTURI,

6 SHAPE • No. 2 2004

“For us, maintaining proximity to the customer goes without saying. Certain suppliers have a tendency to forget the customer. We develop amicable relationships over the long term, which is important both for us and for our customers,” he says. This focus on working in close proximity to the customer has helped Sapa to be the third-largest aluminium-profile supplier in the French market. Moreover, today, France is clearly the largest market for Sapa, which has plants in Puget and Albi outside Toulouse, and warehouses and sales offices in seven other cities. François Coëffic, who is responsible for Sapa Building System and Sapa Profiles in

southern France, explains that France is an attractive market for aluminium producers. Demand for aluminium profiles far exceeds the country’s current production capacity. “France is the third-largest aluminiumprofile market in Europe, with a potential of 330,000 tons per year. Sapa delivers approximately 50,000 tons per year. “Apart from deliveries from our plants in Puget and Albi, Sapa’s companies in Belgium, Germany and Portugal also deliver to the French market – to satisfy the high demand,” François Coëffic continues. “This is a way of taking advantage of our common production resources. We are taking steps to increase cross-border co-operation,” he adds.

“Our greatest challenge, however, is to make the transition from traditional supplier to value-adding supplier.” François Coëffic, Group Vice President, Sapa

FACTS • Sapa France Sapa Profilés Puget and Sapa Building Systems, both of which are based at Puget-sur-Argens on the French Riviera, comprise the largest production unit in France. Number of employees: 650 including employees of Sapa distribution centres in Strasbourg, Vendôme and Toulouse. The plant contains two extrusion presses, anodising, re-smelter, coating, manufacturing and warehousing of building-system products. Capacity: 25,000 tons. Sapa Profiles Albi and Sapa Lacal are located in Albi (which is the birthplace of the painter Toulouse-Lautrec). The plant contains two extrusion presses, a powder coating facility, a warehouse and processing facilities. Capacity: 19,000 tons. Number of employees: 240 The Belgium-based Sapa RC System has five warehouses/sales offices in France, including one central warehouse in La Chapelle d’Armentières. The company’s other sites are in Angers, Floirac (Bordeaux), Chassieu (Lyon) and Strasbourg. Number of employees: 85

Sapa is performing well in France. Moreover, the outlook for further growth is strong. Demand for aluminium profiles currently far exceeds the country’s production capacity.

THE CONSTRUCTION MARKET, especially, is booming and accounts for the greatest demand for aluminium profiles. As much as 54 per cent of Sapa’s sales are conducted in this area. However, Sapa also supplies aluminium profiles to prestigious customers such as Peugeot, Renault, Mavic and Samro. Sapa also makes profiles for more niche-oriented industries such as manufacturers of bicycles and inline skates and swimming pool covers, as well as walls, tables, chairs and ladders. Sapa’s establishment in France began in

1992 with its purchase of the plant in Albi. Seven years later, Intexalu in Puget became part of the Sapa family. Sapa’s most recent acquisition, the RCA Group in Belgium, has further strengthened Sapa’s presence in France. Sapa Profilés’ plant in Albi is one hour by car from Toulouse. In addition to aluminium extrusion, the plant includes a coating facility, which performs a certain degree of contract manufacturing, which Sapa in Albi would like to develop further,

to further enhance its service to customers. Demand for profiles is expected to grow 2.8 per cent a year in France, largely as a result of new construction activity in the country – an opportunity that François Coëffic is anxious to take advantage of. “Increasing plant capacity is one thing. But our greatest challenge is to make the transition from traditional supplier to value-adding supplier. That is, we want to create additional value for our customers by finding smart, innovative and profitable solutions.” No. 2 2004 • SHAPE 7

PHOTO: GUSTAV VIDLUND, MAURIZIO CAMAGNA

SAPA IN FRANCE

Thin and lightweight. Rims from Mavic of France are the given choice for many professional cyclists.

World-class bicycle wheels French company Mavic is a customer of Sapa Profilés in Puget. Mavic manufactures bicycle wheels for the European cycling elite. IN THE 2004 TOUR DE FRANCE, Mavic placed first in winning rims – that is, most of the topranked cyclists used Mavic rims. It is no easy task to make bicycle rims for elite cyclists, for whom the weight of the wheel is everything. Cyclists talk about the rotating mass: concentrating the weight of the wheel on its centre, as close to the hub as possible. Moreover, the rim must also be torsion-resistant. Sapa Profilés in Puget delivers the aluminium profiles that Mavic uses in the production of its bicycle rims. “Our products involve entirely different demands than products in, for example, the construction industry,” says JeanChristophe Fluhr, purchasing manager at Mavic in France. “Our customers want the

8 SHAPE • No. 2 2004

lightest possible wheels, so working with Sapa we look at how we can further develop the product.” Before Sapa starts production of a new rim profile, all the details are discussed, point by point. Alain Litre is in charge of production at Sapa Profilés. He explains that they always study the customer’s sketch in detail, to ensure that it can in fact be manufactured. “Mavic’s product is technically demanding, involving stringent demands on the dimensioning of the profile. The profile is lightweight and narrow, and the final result has to be a circular wheel,” Alain Litre adds. Mavic and Sapa are currently discussing

Alain Litre, Sapa Profilés, with Secretarygeneral Dario Bardi.

the question of how they might produce even lighter wheels for their demanding customers. Moreover, as Jean-Christophe Fluhr explains, the next step is to produce highquality rims for the Asian market. “We have already established contact with Sapa in China,” he says.

Success with profiles in bathroom Pressalit Care of Denmark was the first company in the market with aluminium rehabilitation products for bathrooms. Initially, sales were sluggish, but the switch from steel to aluminium soon proved to be a smart move.

T

he idea of starting to manufacture rehabilitation products for bathrooms using aluminium profiles rather than steel was born at one of Sapa’s seminars on aluminium profiles. The year was 1988, and aluminium had not yet begun to be used in rehabilitation products for bathrooms. “Initially, sales were sluggish,” admits chief designer Hanne Rasmussen. “It was a few years before the sales curve turned upwards and we could feel assured that the change of material was a success.” Design has always been important for Pressalit Care. “We try to be at the forefront in terms of design solutions and choice of materials,” says Erik Boyter, President of Pressalit Care.

Hanne Rasmussen and Johnny Carlsen at Pressalit Care like to be a step ahead.

Erik is convinced that the focus on innovative design has given the company many competitive advantages. As early as 1966, Pressalit Care showed its competitors who was leading the way when the company launched the first professionally designed toilet seat. Sweden’s Prince Sigvard Bernadotte and the Dane Acton Björn were behind the design. was appointed in the 1970s immediately after graduating from the Aarhus School of Architecture. One of her first assignments was to develop a bathroom installation that could be raised and lowered to assist functionally impaired people. Rehabilitation products were initially made from steel, but this was later replaced with the considerably lighter aluminium profiles. “The profiles have many advantages,” says Hanne Rasmussen. “They weigh next to nothing, simplify assembly and are easy to keep clean. They are also attractive and strong, and instil a feeling of safety and reliability.” Right from when Pressalit Care first began using aluminium profiles, Sapa, as the principal supplier, has provided assistance as an adviser and partner. “The co-operation has always functioned well,” affirms production manager Jonny Carlsen. “We are pleased that Sapa is also taking

DESIGNER HANNE RASMUSSEN

part in the development process, which has been of great benefit to us,” adds Erik Boyter. Hanne Rasmussen likens the long period of co-operation to a long and happy marriage. “As in any relationship, it’s a matter of give and take and being sensitive to each other’s needs and wishes,” says Hanne. Today, Sapa supplies two thirds of Pressalit Care’s aluminium profiles and is the only one of its suppliers that also has an advisory role. When Shape invites Hanne Rasmussen to gaze into her crystal ball and speculate on the future, her response is swift: IT will assume increasing importance, she believes. She also predicts that bold combinations of materials will become more common. “Aluminium profiles will also be developed further and will acquire different characteristics – hopefully, they will become slightly more flexible,” says Hanne Rasmussen.

Facts • Pressalit Care Pressalit Care is a division of the Pressalit Group. Founded in 1954, the company has sales of DKK 420 M. Today, the company has 425 employees. Find out more about Pressalit care on www.pressalitcare.dk

No. 2 2004 • SHAPE 9

INTERVIEW

Firm grip on work and leisure New President Kåre Wetterberg is not new to Sapa

He was a newly graduated engineer when he joined Sapa 30 years ago. Developments have proceeded apace since then – for the company and for Kåre Wetterberg. The new President and CEO has a simple explanation for his dynamism: “Sapa is such an enjoyable company to work at,” he says.

Kåre Wetterberg does not intend to rest on his laure to others and develop continuously as a manager.

D

uring a stroll through Humlegården Park in Stockholm, Kåre Wetterberg keeps a firm grip on the leash, at the other end of which Maja, a four-month-old Gordon Setter puppy, bounds and frolics. This is far from being their first visit here, since the park is only a stone’s throw from Kåre Westerberg’s home. “Much of my leisure time at the moment is spent on Maja,” he says. The puppy is just one of the recent changes in Kåre Westerberg’s life. Another is his new job as President and CEO of Sapa. He is calm and composed as he describes his new assignment. “It is naturally a major challenge – at least it is one of the greatest challenges I have faced.”

IN THE EARLY 1970S, Kåre Wetterberg studied for an engineering degree at Chalmers University of Technology. Through a professor at Chalmers, he came into contact with Nils Bouveng, one of Sapa’s founders. In 1974, he embarked on a trainee program at Sapa’s plant in Vetlanda. He has remained with the company since then, in a variety of positions, including spells as managing director of Sapa sub-

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Facts •Kåre Wetterberg

The newly appointed President and CEO – and dog-owner.

sidiaries in both Germany and Sweden. From 2002, Kåre Wetterberg served as Executive Vice President to former CEO, Staffan Bohman. You have a long career behind you. Can you point to any special milestone? “There are many. One was when I first became a manager. It was a crucial event for me, since it enabled me to realise how much responsibility a manager has. “Obviously taking over the position of CEO is of major importance – it would be difficult to deny that it is a milestone.”

Name: Kåre Wetterberg Age: 55 Home: Apartment in Stockholm Position: President and CEO of Sapa AB as of 1 June 2004 Background: Degree in engineering from Chalmers University of Technology 1974: Joined Sapa in Vetlanda, southwest Sweden 1986: Appointed managing director of Sapa’s profile company in Germany. 1997: Appointed managing director of Sapa’s profile company in Sweden. 2002: Appointed Executive Vice President of Sapa AB. 2004: Appointed President and CEO of Sapa AB. Leisure interests: Family, literature and movies. “I like slightly offbeat films. The last time I went to the cinema, I was the only one there.”

You have remained with the Group for 30 years. Haven’t you ever wanted to change companies?

PHOTO. KALLE ASSBRING

els, despite having spent 30 years with the same company. As President of Sapa, he aims to listen

“As a matter of fact, no. I have changed work assignments on a more or less regular basis. During recent years, new opportunities have opened up at regular intervals – about every four years.” Could it not be perceived as a shortcoming to lack experience of other corporate cultures? “It is not necessary to switch companies in order to develop. I prefer to think that it is positive to gain broad experience within one company. In my different work assignments, I have got to know a wide variety of customer categories. I have had contacts with all types of customers, large and small.” there was no question of not accepting when he was offered the position of President. As Executive Vice President, in co-operation with Staffan Bohman, he had gained experience of leading the company. “Naturally, Staffan and I each have our own hobby-horses. I am perhaps more operationally oriented and take a different type of

FOR KÅRE WETTERBERG,

interest in production in parallel with the financial aspects.” While Kåre Wetterberg has a thorough knowledge of the company’s operations, he is constantly striving to develop and improve as a manager. “It is difficult to have the same image of yourself as those around you have, so I try to be sensitive and listen to other people in order to change. This makes it important to have people around you who can give a fair picture of how you are perceived as a person.” How would you describe yourself as a leader? “I enjoy discussing things and make a point of listening to people’s opinions. I also believe I am good at delegating responsibility. I try to be open, frank and honest in all situations.” Kåre Wetterberg has a clear picture of what his assignment involves, namely, developing Sapa. “My aim is to make Sapa an even better company, then exploit that fact in more

“I try to be open, frank and honest in all situations”

markets than we serve today. To succeed, we must focus on our customers and adapt to their needs. “During the past few years, we have had growth of approximately 10 percent per year, and we want that to continue. There is plenty of scope for Sapa to grow further.” How, specifically? “We can increase our competitiveness by utilising the advantages of being a decentralised organisation. Sapa must continue with its acquisition strategy and find those companies that best fit in with our operations. But one problem is that the industry is performing well at present, so purchasing companies is expensive.” Which areas are most important for Sapa at the moment? “We must focus both on existing business and on expansion. We are currently interested in exploring the markets in China and Eastern Europe. We already have a presence in China with production of aluminium heat-exchanger strip for the automotive industry. Now we must consider how we can gain a foothold with production of aluminium profiles.” Since the founding of the company in 1963, Sapa’s organisation has been customer-oriented. And this is a fundamental principle for Kåre Wetterberg. “We can make our customers even more satisfied by raising the level of service, improving delivery punctuality and providing the right quality. Sapa is by no means perfect – much remains to be done. We must be sensitive to customer needs.” has a keen interest in literature and movies, he is naturally also enthusiastic about aluminium profiles, which can also be aesthetically attractive. He cites an example: the “Sting” aluminium chair. “It’s fantastic – a piece of furniture that is almost art. It unites all the most positive features of aluminium profiles in a chair design that is simple and aesthetically attractive. A single profile may be complex in itself, but it only becomes truly interesting when it is part of a larger whole, making exciting design solutions possible.” Kåre Wetterberg says that people are dependent on each other in a similar way in order to function optimally. “Relationships with colleagues are incredibly important for all people. The organisation as a collective whole is formed by individuals acting together, all of whom contribute to making the whole interesting and productive,” concludes Kåre Wetterberg.

WHILE SAPA’S NEW CEO

No. 2 2004 • SHAPE 11

ILLUSTRATION: PATRIK AGEMALM

TECHNOLOGY

Genesis is based on four rules: 1. Each task is standardised. 2. Internally, there must be a customer-supplier relationship between different units. 3. Everyone must focus on the production flow. 4. When these three components are functioning, everyone must work for continuous improvements in the production system.

Sapa invests in new production system Is it possible to work more efficiently and simultaneously have more fun at work? Yes. In any case, it will be if the Genesis production system becomes the next chapter in Sapa’s development. “I believe that we will further improve the quality of our products,” says Michael Mononen, Group Vice President at Sapa.

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corporate revolution? No. Sapa’s new production system, Genesis, is more like a gradual top-down evolution. “The changes will creep up on us. I’m not so sure that customers will notice the difference directly. But in the long run, we’ll be able to offer products that offer greater value for money,” says Michael Mononen. Genesis is an adaptation of the worldfamous Toyota Production System, which is based on four rules: Each task is standardised. Internally, there must be a customersupplier relationship between different units. Everyone must focus on the production flow. And finally, when these three components are functioning, everyone must work for continuous improvements in the production system. Toyota owes a lot of its considerable success to the Toyota Production System. Somewhat simplified, it might be said that

Toyota cars lack unique sales qualities – the expansion of the gigantic carmaker is not the result of a special technology or design. Instead, its success is based on the fact that its cars are manufactured efficiently and that the finished vehicles maintain an evenly high standard. The path to this position has been long. The Japanese have been developing and fine tuning the Toyota Production System since the end of the 1940s. The working method has not passed unnoticed by other industrial companies and many of Sapa’s customers use the system. This will now make it easier for Sapa to also change its working methods. “It is a generally known system that is appreciated in our industry. We have given it our own name, Genesis, since we have adapted the system to our own circumstances. BUT THE WORLD is crawling with management ideas and production systems. Why choose Genesis? “The system incorporates a lot of common sense. It is based on four rules. This in itself makes it easier to remember,” Michael Mononen explains. Another reason for choosing Genesis was that Sapa had already introduced a couple of the rules and methods upon which Genesis is based, which made applying the entire production system much easier. While Michael Mononen and his colleagues are convinced that Genesis will transform Sapa into an efficient and better company, he emphasises that the system cannot do anything by itself. The employees must be committed and feel that they are participating. Working efficiently must be fun. Each individual employee must accept responsibility and feel that he or she has the authority to act within their specific areas of responsibility. The managers are also involved. “If a problem arises within production, it must be solved directly. Managers and administrators occasionally focus on the wrong things – they must be out in the organisation solving the problems that arise there.” CHANGES OF THIS TYPE take time to become established, says Michael Mononen. Genesis must not become just another management cliché. “You can’t change people’s attitudes and behaviour over night. It is easy to be enthusiastic at first, but we must also show stamina.”

Arne Rengstedt, Managing Director of Sapa Profiles in Sweden. How will Genesis affect Sapa’s customers? “The activities that are part of the Genesis programme will contribute to further improvements in delivery reliability and quality. ”How will Genesis be noticeable internally at Sapa Profiles? “Creating increased commitment among all the employees concerned is important. We will notice that there is much better order in the plants. Information to employees and visitors will become more visual.” Bengt Markbo, Managing Director of Sapa Heat Transfer in Sweden. How will Genesis affect Sapa’s customers? “I believe that customers will notice that we are more flexible and offer better delivery reliability, combined with improved quality. Genesis will help us satisfy our customers’ future requirements and to simultaneously develop our profitability. In some way, it will also become easier to be a Sapa customer.” How will Genesis be noticeable internally at Sapa Heat Transfer? “We have already implemented certain parts of Genesis, since we have worked with the automotive industry for a long time and we have taken their quality and logistical requirements to heart. Now we have a system that we can really rally around in a structured manner.”

Genesis • How it works Seven principles support the four Genesis rules: • People are the principal asset. Changes are 70 per cent about people and 30 per cent about technology. • If a problem arises, go to the source and investigate. • Visual control – check with your own eyes what has to be changed. • Eliminate faults. • Search for a predetermined ideal work situation. • Use stable and predictable work processes. • Use the tools that are available.

Higher gear in heat-sink area Sapa is shifting up a gear in the fastgrowing heat-sink product area by forming the Cooling Competence Centre. “Faster product development, shorter lead-times and reduced costs,” Martin Schön talks enthusiastically about the new Cooling Competence Centre. “This is an assignment filled with challenges,” he says. And Martin Schön is convinced that a real effort will be needed in order to withstand the intense competition from low-wage countries in Eastern Europe and Asia. “As an increasing number of players slim their organisations and elect to streamline their core business, it is essential that we as suppliers can offer attractive turnkey solutions.” The Cooling Competence Centre consists of five Sapa employees: Anders Helander, Seppo Tuivinen, Sven-Erik Egerskog, Jin Hou and Martin Schön. “The idea is that we will function as a support centre for our colleagues in sales and technology. They should be able to consult us and ask questions about cooling, when, for example, their customers have problems in diverting heat from electronics,” Martin Schön explains. The Cooling Competence Centre works on a broad front, focusing on the automotive industry and telecom, whiteware and IT companies.

Facts•Cooling Competence Centre Sapa Profiles in Sweden generates annual sales of about EUR 215 M, the heat-ink product area about EUR 11 M annually. Product development of heat sinks takes place at the Cooling Competence Centre in Finspång, Sweden

No. 2 2004 • SHAPE 13

CUSTOMERS

Robots take over warehouses Hatteland of Norway builds warehouses with stable profiles

Using robots and aluminium profiles, storage space is utilised optimally, allowing crates to be retrieved at the touch of a button.

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he radio-controlled robots crisscross the large matrix of aluminium profiles. Beneath them, inside the aluminiumframed cubes, are stacks of goods packed in crates. With a few simple key commands, the operator orders the retrieval of a particular crate somewhere within the system. In a flash, the robot has sought out the correct

crate among the stacks and delivered it to the terminal. It could be a scene from a science-fiction movie. However, at Hatteland Computer in Norway, this vision of the future is already a reality. The concept behind the AutoStore warehouse system was born in 1996.

Hatteland has already registered patents for the system in most countries around the world. 14 SHAPE • No. 2 2004

“We discovered that many warehouses had similar problems. Storage space consisted mainly of air. The basic idea was to use the space in a more efficient manner,” says Sven Åge Hjorteland, President of Hatteland Computer in Nedre Vats, Norway. A traditional warehouse consists of shelves. To access goods, empty spaces are needed between the shelves – decreasing the warehouse’s capacity. In AutoStore, on the other hand, goods are stored in crates that are stacked on top of one another. This allows a larger quantity of goods to be stored in the same floor space. “AutoStore is a compact system that can be fully adapted to the building in which it is to be housed,” explains Sven Åge Hjorteland. A MATRIX OF ALUMINIUM PROFILES ensures that crates are placed correctly. Radio-controlled, battery-powered robots travel across the surface of the matrix, moving and retrieving crates. If a crate that is to be retrieved is located beneath other crates, these are temporarily moved and then replaced. The entire process is computer-controlled. Crates are carried to and from the operator

AutoStore stacks crates on top of one another, doing away with the empty spaces found in traditional warehouses.

through a portal in the aluminium cube. The aluminium profiles forming the core of the system are delivered by Sapa and the process of improving the design is ongoing. Following careful strength calculations, a new profile was developed during the summer in order to reduce both weight and material costs. “We have contributed ideas and expertise in developing the product. The design has simply been made more efficient,” says Harald Bruås, salesman at Sapa Profiler AS in Haugesund, Norway.

Seams must be flat for crates to run smoothly.

Precision in the production of the aluminium profiles is crucial. The seams must be flat to allow the robots to move smoothly and without interruption across the matrix. “Accuracy is extremely important. We are talking about minute tolerances, which impose stringent requirements on production” says Harald Bruås. SAPA AND HATTELAND COMPUTER have collaborated for several years. According to Sven Åge Hjorteland, the partnership has been very successful. “We are very pleased. Our co-operation works extremely well. In my view, Sapa delivers the best products at the best prices,” he says. During the autumn, Hatteland Computer has been constructing a pilot facility where the new product will undergo final tests. After that, the world market awaits. Patents for AutoStore have been registered in most countries worldwide. “The reactions to AutoStore have been highly positive. We see a sizeable market ahead of us,” says Sven Åge Hjorteland.

Facts • AutoStore • When production of AutoStore is fully under way, the delivery time for a complete AutoStore system is estimated at about three months, depending on the size of the system. • A complete facility weighs between five and 20 tonnes. • AutoStore storage crates measure 200x400x600 mm. The size can be adjusted according to customer requirements. • The contents of the crates can weigh as much as 30 kg. The robots are designed to lift 50 kg. • Sapa delivers completely ready-toassemble aluminium profiles for AutoStore.

No. 2 2004 • SHAPE 15

DESIGN

Tinted glass and a latticework of aluminium profiles give the building its distinctive character and serve as protection against heat and sunlight.

Exclusive waste station No one driving along the E4 motorway in southern Sweden can fail to miss the new landmark in the form of the Gärstad waste incineration plant. The façade is constructed entirely in glass and is covered with a decorative latticework of aluminium profiles.

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everal new waste incineration plants are currently being constructed in Sweden as a result of a new EU directive prohibiting landfill disposal of waste. Perhaps the most conspicuous of these new plants is the new main building of the Gärstad plant on the outskirts of Linköping. The new facility, built next to the existing waste-incineration plant and towering 45 metres above the plains of the province of Östergötland, houses an incinerator and a flue-gas cleaning plant. At night, these can be seen in silhouette through the glass façade of the illuminated building. Lena Tomani of the Berg architectural agency in Stockholm is one of the architects: “Inside the building, there is full activity twenty-four hours a day. We want to show the function and use it as part of the exterior architecture,” she says.

16 SHAPE • No. 2 2004

The glass has solar protection properties and has a carefully chosen green tint. Together with the aluminium lattice, positioned a little way from the façade, it protects against heat and sunlight to give a pleasant indoor environment. For Lena Tomani and her colleagues, the choice of an aluminium lattice was obvious. “The material is light, durable and does not rust. Furthermore, the system supporting the glass of the façade is also made of aluminium and so it was an advantage to use the same material.” The architects also kept the design in mind when choosing the aluminium lattice. The lattice is wide-meshed to blend in aesthetically with the building’s size and also to give life to the façade as people move about in the building.

Facts• Gärstad waste incineration plant The Gärstad waste incineration and district heating plant will become operational in 2005. The buildings were designed by Esbjörn Adamson, Lena Tomani and Adam Wsycichowski of the Berg architectural agency.

Aluminium lattice Various types of grids covering glass façades have been a trend in European architecture in recent years. In addition to being decorative, lattices protect against heat and sunlight. The wide-mesh lattice used at the Gärstad plant was assembled using 3.15 x 3.15 metre aluminium frames. The finished aluminium net was delivered by Metallvaruhuset and manufactured by a sub-supplier in Norway. The basic material was produced by Sapa and is a profile with milled longitudinal grooves, which is then stretched to form a net. The lattice was then powder coated to give it a green tint.

Aluminium subway trains replace rusting rolling stock The steel carriages of Barcelona’s subway trains are rusting. Consequently, 250 new carriages have been ordered from Alstom Transport. The aluminium profiles are produced by Sapa. n tough competition with several other suppliers, Sapa Mass Transportation has secured an assignment to deliver a total of 1,070 tonnes of aluminium profiles to Alstom Transport over a two-year period. “This is the first time we are the total supplier of profiles for subway trains,” says Allan Pedersen, sales manager at Sapa Mass Transportation. Sapa’s aluminium profiles will be used in the construction of 250 subway carriages for Barcelona. The ultra-modern driverless trains are expected to carry 90 million passengers per year and will operate a total stretch of 41 kilometres and 43 stations. Consequently, the new subway line, which will be called Line 9, will be the Catalonian capital’s longest and also the longest driverless system in Europe. It will run from north to south enabling passengers to take the subway to the airport. The older subway trains in Barcelona are made of steel. However, since several lines run close to the sea, there have been problems with corrosion in recent years. For this reason, the Barcelona Metro has chosen aluminium

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for the load-bearing profiles in its new trains. “An additional advantage with aluminium profiles is their light weight. Since they weigh comparatively little, less energy is needed to power them,” says Filip Levering, project manager at Alstom Transport in Spain, which is building the new trains for the Barcelona Metro. According to Filip Levering, the fact that less welding is necessary in joining the profiles is also positive. This makes production simpler and faster, he considers. When the Barcelona Metro contract had been secured, Alstom obtained estimates from several suppliers. Sapa was selected for several reasons. “Alstom had several years’ experience of working with Sapa and co-operation between us has always worked extremely well,” says Filip Levering. Obviously, product quality, delivery reliability and other key factors were also taken into account. Alan Pedersen names yet another reason why Sapa was selected for this much sought after contract. “As a result of having considerably increased our capacity, we are a much stronger

Soon driverless aluminium trains will be seen in the Barcelona Metro.

market force today,” he underlines. An important precondition to securing major contracts is the ability to deliver the quantity of products required by the customer at the necessary rate. Sapa meets these requirements. With Remi Claeys of Aluminium becoming part of the Sapa Group less than two years ago, Sapa’s capacity for the production of large profiles was further enhanced. “We can now handle bigger orders of large profiles and hope to be able to secure further major assignments,” says Allan Pedersen.

Facts: Sapa Mass Transportation • Sapa Mass Transportation was founded in 2002. • Its goal is to increase the use of aluminium profiles in the rail and ship-building industries. • Mass Transportation delivers total solutions and acts as a co-operative partner with its customers. • Mass Transportation’s core operations are within the areas of aluminium profiles, components and integrated solutions.

Blue and yellow profiles for Portugal’s first IKEA

Portugal’s first IKEA with Sapa’s Mirage façade system.

SAPA IN PORTUGAL provided aluminium profiles for the country’s first IKEA department store in Lisbon, which was completed in August this year. Façade contractor, Martifer, produced and assembled the blue and yellow glass façade, which measures 2,000 square metres and uses Sapa’s Mirage VEC façade system. “This delivery means a lot for Sapa, partly financially, but also visually, since IKEA is so well known. The profile system is flexible since it can be used for many different

types of glass façade. It is also possible to use different colours. For IKEA, blue and yellow were used, enhancing the company’s image,” says Sara Monteiro, at Sapa’s marketing department in Portugal. Façade contractor Martifer is one of Sapa Portugal’s major customers. “For Sapa, this was a large project – not only due to the size of the structure, but also because it may lead to further large assignments in the future,” says Sara Monteiro.

No. 2 2004 • SHAPE 17

TECHNOLOGY

Profile School/ Cross section for right tolerances Design using aluminium profiles allows almost unlimited opportunities in the dimensions of the cross section. As we often say, the only limits are set by your imagination. When determining dimensions and tolerances, it can be useful to know some of the tricks that can facilitate the ensuing process. Compared with mechanical processing, the tolerances of aluminium profiles are relatively wide, particularly with regard to “soft” dimensions. Figure 1. Dimensioning of U profile Normally a U profile is dimensioned as in Figure 1. Measurement B is a fixed dimension providing favourable tolerance, measurement A across the top is a “soft” dimension, which is more difficult to contain and which provides a wider tolerance. Figure 2. Often, a closer tolerance is required at the bottom of the U profile, in which case, it can be advantageous to use the dimensioning given in Figure 2. Here, measurement C is a

fixed dimension with a close tolerance and measurement D is the “soft” measurement with a wider tolerance. If a more precise fit is required internally, it is also possible to dimension D somewhat smaller than C and utilise the give in the flanges. Figure 3. The dimensioning of the tube in

Figure 3 is normal for a tube with internal fit. The fixed measurements are at the outer edges and the “soft” measurements across the cavity. For the best tolerances the profile is dimensioned as in Figure 4. Naturally, the above dimensioning technique can be used for all special profiles involving similar functions.

Tougher products with safety box Using a computerised safety box from Germany, Sapa Building Systems Ltd tests the durability of products. Products able to cope with extreme weather conditions have become increasingly important. With its new safety box, Sapa Building Systems in the UK is able to conduct tests in accordance with the new European standards.

18 SHAPE • No. 2 2004

Resilience and resistance to extreme weather conditions are important characteristics of many Sapa products. To save money in the longer term, Sapa Building Systems Ltd has now invested in a new safety box to test precisely these characteristics. “Our new, completely computerised safety box can cope with units measuring as much as 3,500 mm x 300 mm. In addition, it can perform tests in accordance with the new European standards. By using the new box, we can offer customers advanced technical support,” says Jon Palethorpe, sales and marketing manager at Sapa Building Systems.

CUSTOMERS

Facts • Wingladder The aluminium Little Giant Ladder was invented by Hal Wing in 1972. The ladder is foldable and has 24 different settings. Wing Enterprises was founded in 1986 and is based in Springville, Utah. Are you interested in seeing how the ladder works? At www.ladders.com, you can view the entire TV show!

No one seemed to want the ingenious aluminium ladders. That is, until the daily TV infomercials started. Since then, sales have soared.

Sales soared after TV show Little Giant Ladder is the story of an infomercial that turned a forgotten aluminium ladder into a sales success.

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ittle Giant Ladder was an old invention owned by an old man who wanted to sell his company. How much money could owner and inventor Hal Wing get? Not much, he soon learned. You see, there was a major problem. The patent on his main product, the Little Giant Ladder, had expired and it emerged that potential buyers had begun to produce copies of Hal Wing’s treasured invention. In other words, a tricky situation. But Hal and his son Art refused to be defeated. The product was good, but the name was unknown. They decided to take some aggressive action and do an “infomercial” – a TV show demonstrating in a pedagogical manner the true ingenuity of the foldable aluminium ladder. With the infomercial broadcast almost daily on national TV, sales soared and soon between 3,500 and 6,000 ladders were being sold

each weekend. In a year, sales increased by 1,000 percent. Sapa was now delivering ten times more aluminium profiles than before to meet the demand for this small yet hugely successful ladder. SO WHAT MADE this infomercial so successful? “Our concept was to promise a little and deliver a lot. And it worked! Less than one per cent of the ladders are returned,” says Art Wing. Neither Art nor his father were great fans of infomercials and, by their own admission, would never have bought something as a result of watching advertisements of this kind. Their scepticism led them to

“Our concept was to promise a little and deliver a lot. And it worked!”

make an important decision: if they were going to invest in a TV show, then they would do it properly. Famous program hosts from DIY shows were hired, real film was used and the studio buzzed with expensive cameras. The investment has already paid off. “We have run the TV show for six months and have already more than recovered the cost of our investment,” says Art Wing. Now, the rest of the world is about to experience Hal Wing’s ladder when the TV show is broadcast in Canada, Mexico and Japan. The small family business is also set to conquer markets in Australia, New Zealand and in the EU – a tremendous expansion for an inventor who only last year was planning to sell his life-work. “I’m not really the type of person that likes to retire. I am so pleased that I kept the company,” says Hal Wing. No. 2 2004 • SHAPE 19

FINALLY Roof rails for the Renault Laguna For a long time, Sapa Automotive has produced roof rails for the Renault Laguna. Renault is apparently pleased with Sapa Automotive’s work because it chose Sapa as its partner in developing new roof rails for the next generation of Lagunas. The prestigious assignment confirms the high quality of Sapa Automotive’s work for Renault. Sapa Automotive will work on the project for a two-year period. With the new press from the UK, Sapa in Poland will be able to double its capacity.

alternatives. SMS can shape the profiles according to preference to combine design and function. SMS’s sales have risen 12-fold in seven years. In 1997, its sales were MSEK 8. For 2004, the forecast is MSEK 97 M, according to Swedish financial daily Dagens Industri. SMS’s success is largely attributable to good technical solutions in which technology and design are inextricably united, which reflects the company’s motto “Safety, function and design.” Most of SMS Safebracket’s mounts, about 70 percent, are exported from Sweden. The four largest markets are the US, Russia, the UK and Spain.

New press in Poland Sapa continues to expand in Poland and is investing MSEK 40 in a third press. The press, which comes from Sapa Profiles Ltd in Cheltenham, in the UK, will allow Sapa Aluminium to press larger profiles of up to 280 mm and to double its capacity to 24,000 tonnes. Consequently, the company will be able to broaden its range and reach new customer groups. In recent years, Sapa has experienced rapid growth in Poland. As early as in 1991, Sapa began to establish a presence in the country from scratch and, at that time, made its first investment in a new press in Trzcianka. A second press was added in 1995. Sapa currently holds 25 per cent of the Polish market for aluminium profiles and exports extensively in Central Europe. The Polish market is expected to keep growing at an average of 10 per cent annually. In addition to investing in a third press, capacity for surface treatment and processing will also be increased. “The construction boom and the general trend in Poland have contributed to our success,” explains Arne Rengstedt, who is responsible for Sapa’s profile operations in Eastern Europe. “We also have a head start on our competitors by being the first foreign aluminium company in Poland. We have concentrated consistently on high quality and flexibility and on building longterm relations with our customers. We hold a leading position and have a high level of know how in value-added processing. We offer anodising, powder coating and processing in Poland. This allows us to deliver complete components and we are the only company in the country able to do that.” The project to install the new press will begin during the autumn of 2004 and the press is expected to begin production in September 2005. 20 SHAPE • No. 2 2004

Scania truck receives award During the international automotive exhibition Nutzfahrzeuge 2004 in Hanover, Germany, Scania launched its latest truck series, which also received the “Truck of the Year” award. In the truck market, Scania and Volvo are the largest users of processed aluminium. This suggests that there is extensive potential for the use of aluminium by other manufacturers as well.

Awards shower over Sapa in Belgium

The boom in sales of flat screen televisions has resulted in skyrocketing sales for SMS’s mounts for monitors and projectors.

Success for flat-screen TV mounts Flat television screens need stands to stay upright. Even ceiling-fitted screens require special mounts. Swedish company Svenska MonitorStativ (SMS) Safebrackets recognized this need and, during its six-year collaboration with Sapa, sales of the company’s products have risen each year. Sapa delivers a large number of profiles each year for the Plasma column mount and for the Aero projector mount. The two mounts are used for plasma monitors and video projectors. “SMS is now a very important customer,” says Crister Roswall, Sapa’s account manager for SMS Safebrackets. “SMS uses aluminium profiles for its products because these allow numerous combination

Sapa RC Profiles in Belgium has been named the best supplier of aluminium profiles and best supplier overall by Siemens Transportation. Sapa was selected from among the 300 suppliers assessed. The motivation for the award cited an exceptionally innovative, communicative and flexible approach. The award was presented in June 2003 during a supplier event in Germany. “I feel extremely proud. The award serves as recognition not only that Sapa offers advanced technology but also that our approach is appreciated by customers,” says Ben Elfrink, President of Sapa RC Profiles in Belgium.