Author: Digimarkkinointi

Nordec completed one of Europe’s largest fully automated central warehouses for the grocery chain Coop Sverige in Eskilstuna, Sweden. Nordec was responsible for the design, manufacturing and installation of the structures. The project was successfully carried out on an exceptionally tight schedule, in just under a year.

Significant size warehouse project

One of Europe’s largest fully automated central warehouses for grocery chain Coop Sverige was completed in record time in Eskilstuna, Sweden. The new warehouse is almost 40 meters high, 530 meters long and 220 meters wide, the total gross area being about 110 000 m2.

Nordec was responsible for the design, manufacturing, and installation of structures in this significant size project. Nordec’s delivery included steel frame, load-bearing sheets, hollow core slabs, facades, windows, and stairs and catwalk. The delivery covered a total of about 6 000 tonnes of steel structures, 80 000 m2 of load bearing sheets, 35 000 m2 of concrete hollow core slabs, as well as about 50 000 m2 of wall panels.

The construction project was carried out in close cooperation with the client Tommy Allström Byggproduktion (TAB). The new central warehouse will become the heart of Coop’s entire supply chain. This new investment will enable products to be transported intelligently and with minimal environmental impact. The central warehouse is located at the end of good transport links and the area will also include a train track.

Ambitious schedule tackled with precise planning and close cooperation

Responding to the challenge of the client, Nordec set out to design and execute the project on a rather ambitious timetable. The construction phase took place in just over eight months and was successfully completed about a year after the contract was signed. The installation speed of structures was up to about 3 000 – 4 000 m2 per week, which required very smooth processes and good project management from Nordec. The central warehouse consists of several blocks and each of them had its own team at the site. Nordec’s experienced project team managed to complete each block on schedule, and to coordinate them with the completion of the other blocks.

“We succeeded in this quite a fast implementation of the project, first and foremost, thanks to the seamless teamwork of the project management and the whole team. We had constant communication starting with the design and production, right up to the installations of the structures. Everyone knew their own roles and the team had a clear common goal,” states Project Manager Aleksei Karttunen from Nordec.

“Certainly, the detailed planning of the project in advance was important, but equally important was the close monitoring and coordination of schedules, availability of materials etc., throughout the project. Despite the corona pandemic, we were able to complete the construction phase of the project safely and considering the restrictions, even ahead of time. I want to thank the whole team for their amazing collaboration!” sums up Nordec’s Site Manager Timo Kants the reasons for the success of the project.

Environmental responsibility very important

Responsibility for the environment and minimizing the carbon footprint of buildings are seen as very important at Nordec. Since Nordec was designing the structures of the central warehouse, it was possible to influence the material choices as well as to optimize the use of steel and other materials.

“We are very pleased to have been involved already in the design phase of this automated central warehouse, whose smart operations also aim to minimize the impact on the environment. With our competent design and efficient processes, we were able to contribute positively to the carbon footprint of structures and project implementation as well as to the environmental impact of the entire life cycle of the building,” Business Area Manager Sampo Haapoja from Nordec states proudly.

Further information

Sampo Haapoja, Business Area Manager/Nordec
sampo.haapoja@nordec.com
Tel. +358 40 507 8002

Nordec was awarded a contractor safety award by Outokumpu for the DeepMine project in Kemi Finland. Nordec was manufacturing and installing the steel structures of a 100 meters high mining tower and auxiliary buildings. Nordec’s safety system and experience in handling safety issues in the project were noted by Outokumpu at the construction site of the Kemi mine.

Nordec’s safety system and experience were noted 

Outokumpu awarded a contractor safety award to Nordec for the DeepMine project. Nordec’s safety system and experience in handling safety issues in the project were noted at the construction site of the Kemi mine. Safety management and the implementation of safety work were also reflected in Nordec’s clear scheduling and cost management, which were considered being among the best in the DeepMine project.

“Nordec’s own safety system and the experience in handling safety issues have been noted as being a natural part of the normal routines at the site. It has not been a separate area, but the site manager has taken up the assigned safety issues with determination and taken the measures at the site,” explains Martti Sassi, President of Business Area Ferrochrome at Outokumpu.

Challenging structures and demanding conditions

Nordec was manufacturing and installing the challenging steel structures of the mining tower and auxiliary buildings in the DeepMine project. The construction work was started already in August 2019 and Nordec’s part of the project was finalized in June 2021. Nordec’s delivery included steel structures of a 100 meters high mining tower and auxiliary buildings, steel structures of a staircase and level structures. Nordec implemented the complex structures at the mine under demanding conditions. Installations were made mainly in the lifting tower, but some of the installations were underground up to 1 000 levels.

“One of the structures to be highlighted is the lifting tower’s staff staircase with a stair tower. That is a narrow, about 60 meters high stair structure with 275 steps. Another item worth mentioning, is the so-called hammerhead, a steel-framed, 10 meters-high ‘hat’ above the concrete structures of the lifting tower. Hammerhead was divided into four modules so that the capacity of the construction crane was sufficient to lift the parts into place,” states Kari Huttunen, Project Manager at Outokumpu.

Safety first in all operations

Nordec’s Health and Safety policy sets requirements for providing a healthy, safe and secure working environment for the employees, contractors and visitors in all the projects and operations. Safety played an important role especially in this DeepMine project with exceptionally challenging working environment.

“Working in narrow space in a mining environment made this project particularly challenging. Safety, logistics and consideration of other contractors have been very important. Thanks to the experienced project organization and installation team, we succeeded well in coordinating the work with the client and other contractors. We thank the client’s organization for creating a good working and safety environment,” says Project Manager Jaakko Nissilä from Nordec.

“We had weekly safety quarters as a regular part of our work at the construction site. We discussed all the current safety issues together with the workers at site, such as corona requirements, potential incidents at the site and other important topics raised by the contractor. We all are very happy and honored for this safety award. I want to thank all the workers and partners for the good cooperation and following the safety rules and instructions so carefully,” Nordec’s Site Manager Jani Keränen says gratefully.

Further information

Jaakko Nissilä, Project Manager/Nordec
jaakko.nissila@nordec.com
Tel. +358 41 543 898

Picture (Outokumpu): Jaakko Nissilä/Nordec, Pasi Parkkinen/Nordec, Martti Sassi/Outokumpu

Read more about our Quality, Health and Safety 

Nordec delivers a comprehensive solution to Järvenpää Bulevardikortteli block in Finland. This is a key project for the development of the city center of Järvenpää with the aim of bringing the services to a new level. Nordec’s delivery covers frame structures and facades for the office and retail building.

Comprehensive solution of frame structures and facades

Järvenpää Bulevardikortteli block is a key project, which aims to bring the services of the city center to a new level. The new city block will cover an office and retail building, a 20-storey tower building and two apartment buildings with about 300 apartments.

Nordec is responsible for designing, manufacturing and installation of the frame structures and facades of the office and retail building. The main contractor of the project is YIT. Total area of the 7-storey building with the frame structures is about 9600 m2 and the total amount of the facades is about 4600 brm2.

Optimizing the process from design to installation

Nordec manages the delivery of the frame structures and facades in the Bulevardikortteli block project from design to installation. That enables scheduling and implementation of all the project phases in the most cost-efficient way. The design, as well as project and production management, is managed via BIM-model.

“We have the capacity and competence for managing this kind of large-scale projects at Nordec. We have the expertise in design and manufacturing as well as in project management and installations. By using our own manufacturing in Finland and Poland, we can ensure that the whole process is well managed and optimized,” states Martin Westerlund, Project Manager at Nordec.

Efficient production and installation save time at site

Nordec manufactures all the steel structures and facades in its own factories. Facades are manufactured in Alavus factory in Finland. All the WQ and WB beams are manufactured at Ylivieska factory and composite columns, secondary elements and ventilation room structures at Nordec’s Oborniki factory in Poland.

Thermoelements are delivered as factory-ready elements, including pre-installed and listed windows, which ensures the structural functionality and that the elements are properly protected in terms of moisture. The installations of the frame structures will be started in July 2021 and the installations of the facades start in October 2021.

“Thanks to the factory-ready elements we can save time at the site. The casing can be closed quickly, and the heat can be switched on, so that the customer can get to the interior work as early as possible,” explains Markku Peurala, Project Manager at Nordec.

Facts about the project

Nordec expertise:

• Design, manufacturing and installation of frame structures, facades, glass-aluminum windows
• Design, delivery and installation of load-bearing roof structures
• Installation of concrete elements
• Steel-concrete composite frame, composite columns, WQ beams, secondary structures
• Thermal cladding walls of the outer casing with aluminum windows and wooden windows supplied by the customer, aluminum-structured glass walls, surface cladding cassettes, ceramic tiles and PVP elements and exterior box-like canopy structures.

Size of the project:

• The total area of the building with frame structures ~9600m2
• The total area of the outer casing ~4600 brm2

Project period: 2021 – 2022
Client/Main contractor: YIT

Further information

Markku Peurala, Project Manager, envelope and roof structures/Nordec
markku.peurala@nordec.com
Tel. +358 40 579 4402

Martin Westerlund, Project Manager, frame structures/Nordec
martin.westerlund@nordec.com
Tel. +358 40 820 6973

Read more about our previous projects

Nordec strengthens its position on the Swedish steel bridge market. The latest steel frame bridge was launched in Kalix Sweden in the end of May. Nordec was responsible for the manufacturing and installation of the steel structures of the Kalix bridge. Nordec is also currently working on several other bridge projects in Sweden.

Kalix bridge was launched

The steel structure of the Kalix bridge was launched with six different phases across the Kalix river. The first part of the bridge was launched in January 2021. The final launch on the opposite bank was completed in the end of May. The bridge is about 311 meters long and has approximately 1 000 tons of steel structures.

“Kalix bridge sections with inspection platforms were installed successfully, thanks to the very accurate workshop manufacturing. The final launch of the bridge took about six hours and went completely according to the preliminary plans. I want to thank the whole team for the excellent work,” says Victor Westö, Site Manager at Nordec, with satisfaction.

Precise production planning

Nordec was responsible for the manufacture, installation design and implementation of the Kalix bridge structures. All steel structures were manufactured at Nordec’s factory in Ylivieska Finland. These demanding bridge structures needed three parallel main girders due to the width of the bridge.

“The production planning of the demanding steel structures required excellent dimensional accuracy. The manufacture of support steels for inspection platforms installed with bolt joints was also particularly demanding in this project, due to the intermediate dimensions of several different cross-structures,” explains Esko Anttila, being responsible for the production planning at Nordec.

Extensive project was successfully completed

The Kalix bridge project started already in September 2020. Nordec participated in developing the design and implementation in close cooperation with main contractor NCC and designers.

“This extensive project was carefully planned and scheduled from the manufacture of steel structures at Nordec’s Ylivieska factory until the launch of the last part of the bridge structures. The construction project of the bridge progressed well on schedule, although the installation work mainly carried out in winter brought its own challenges to the installation, welding and surface treatment work,” Aki Viiliäinen, Project Manager at Nordec, describes the project.

Several ongoing bridge projects in Sweden

In addition to the Kalix bridge, Nordec has several other ongoing steel bridge projects at different stages in Sweden.

“We want to operate strongly in the Nordic market of the steel bridges. We have strengthened our foothold especially in the Swedish steel bridge market. Some of our bridge projects are in the planning phase and in other projects we are already in the manufacturing, installation and finalizing phase. In addition to the Swedish projects, we will soon deliver for example three bridges to Åland, which will be implemented in a very similar way as the steel bridges under construction in Sweden,” Heikki Wilén, Business Director at Nordec, sums up the great market outlook.

Further information

Heikki Wilén, Business Director/Nordec
heikki.wilen@nordec.com
Tel. +358 50 026 0570

Check out our previous bridge projects

Nordec celebrates its first year of operation since the merger of the two companies in May 2020. Even though the year was quite challenging because of the Covid-19, Nordec managed to reach excellent results. The turnover of Nordec Group was over 191 million euros and operational EBITDA was some 11,3 million euros in 2020.

“I want to thank all our employees at Nordec who have worked hard and enabled these great results. We have successfully managed to combine two companies and brands into one company. Our employees have adapted to many new ways of working not only due to Covid-19 but also because of combining two business cultures together into one effective team,” states Kalle Luoto, CEO of Nordec.

Merger enables synergies

Nordec has been able to obtain synergies, first of all, by combining the operations, knowledge and long experience of Normek and Ruukki Building Systems and secondly, by becoming a part of the international Donges Group. Cooperation within the Donges Group has made it possible to serve all customers even better by widening the product portfolio and enabling cross selling in joint projects around Europe.

The processes in the five production facilities have also been streamlined so that each factory specializes in selected product groups. That has clarified the roles and processes in the whole production network. As part of the merger, Nordec also agreed to sell the production facility in Oulu. The sale of the production facility was finalized on 30th of April 2021. The segment-based organization structure has also brought synergies and enabled consolidation of the strong expertise for similar projects in each business area.

Significant projects ongoing

Nordec has had a very good start also for this year. There are many significant projects ongoing. Nordec has been strengthening the foothold in the logistics and warehouse construction sector, especially in Sweden. There are many large-scale projects ongoing such as the warehouse for Axfood in Bålsta, which is the biggest warehouse being built in the Nordic countries. Nordec is also the frame contactor in the big construction project of the distribution center for Coop Sweden.

The construction market looks very promising also in Finland. Because of the large range of products and solutions, Nordec has been able to gain extensive projects which demand expertise both in frame structures as well as in façade and roof structures. The new living city district of Oops Espoo is one good example of such a large-scale project being managed by Nordec this year.

More sustainable tomorrow

Sustainability and taking green values into account in all operations, is becoming more and more important in the construction projects in Europe. Nordec is investing in finding the best ways to minimize the carbon footprint not only in all the projects, but also in all operations. As one concrete step forward, Nordec has moved on to using renewable energy sources for the electricity in all five production facilities this year. The target is to find smart solutions to minimize the carbon footprint of each product and to increase the amount of recycled steel to be used in the coming projects.

“It has been a very good and eventful first year for us. We are on a good track. I am very delighted to see, how well the Nordec team has developed together. We will continue working in close cooperation with our customers to enable the best solutions for a more sustainable tomorrow,” states Kalle Luoto with confidence.

Further information

Kalle Luoto, CEO Nordec Group
kalle.luoto@nordec.com

The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority conditionally approved the acquisition of Ruukki Building Systems Oy by Donges Teräs Oy on 17th of April 2020. As a prerequisite for the approval of the acquisition, Donges Teräs Oy undertook responsibility to sell Oulu production facility from Normek Oy belonging to Donges Group to a third party that has the prerequisites for maintaining and developing its business. The divested part of the business is able to operate as an independent entity and carry out the total deliveries of different types of steel bridge structures and industrial structures.

The sale of the Oulu production facility has been finalized as of 30th of April 2021 to a business cooperative including Steel Group Pohjanmaa Oy with its owners Andament Group Oy and Sah-Ko Oy. Employees of the Oulu production facility will continue with the new owner with their current employment terms.

Details of the agreement nor purchase price of the business transaction will not be disclosed. ​​​

For further information of the transaction please contact CEO Kalle Luoto, kalle.luoto@nordec.com