Lindab’s first 50 years of simplifying construction

1959-2009

lindab 1959 - 2009

Lindab’s first 50 years of simplifying constructionFrom tinsmith to international industry leader within steel based construction and ventilation solutions

50 years of simplifying construction

lindab 1959 - 2009

The staff are gathering outside the production premises in Grevie some time in 1963. Today these buildings are part of Lindab’s head office facilities in the south of Sweden.

1959-2009

A commemorative book chronicling Lindab’s first 50 yearsof simplifying construction


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lindab 1959 - 2009

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Over the past 50 years, our work at Lindab has been in the pursuit of a single-minded goal; to constantly develop our skills and knowledge within what we now call simplifying construction. The path we chose in order to offer increased customer value has been based on quality, proximity and service using steel as the central theme.

From the very outset, our founder, Lage Lindh put the customer front and centre. By building a company philosophy based on the values of “neatness and order”, strong entrepreneurship and quick decisions, the conditions were created for the business model which has involved streamlined production, highly advanced distribution, together with a flow of innovations and constant awareness of the needs and wishes of our customers. When the business began in the late 50s, few thought that these actions would create a group which today has a leading position in Europe within building and ventilation solutions.

At the beginning of the 2000s, we formalized the basic values that Lindab is built on. This resulted in the three key phrases Simplifying construc-tion, Down to earth and Neatness and order, which are as true today as throughout the 50 years history.

It is my hope that those of you reading this will be interested to learn about our history, and see all the common threads that have clearly run through the 50 years right up to the present day.

Allow me to conclude by sincerely thanking all of our customers, our staff and all the others who have contributed to the development of Lindab and have made it possible for us to simplify construction. We now set our sights on the next 50 years. Nothing is so good that it cannot become even better, simpler or more efficient.

David BrodetskyPresident and CEOLindab AB


Båstad

FörslövGrevie

Lidhult

Göteborg

Västra Karup

Ängelholm

Malmö

Stockholm

Jönköping

Lycksele

lindab 1959 - 2009

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Lindab then and nowIn the text on the following pages you will find a lot of Swedish city and small town names connected to the Lindab story. To facilitate localizing these places when reading the text, we have included a map of Sweden highlighting these places. On the opposite page you will also find a map showing Lindab’s current presence in Europe, CEE/CIS and USA.

Each page in this presentation includes a summary table. This table uses some symbols for significant events. Please find the key to these symbols on the opposite page.

Sweden

Map of Sweden showing some important Lindab places and major Swedish cities.

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USA

Europe and CEE/CIS

Each spread presents a summary table. In these tables the plus sign, a flag or the factory symbol designates the following:

Major acquisitions

Entry into new market via sales office/subsidiary

At this point in the story, you will here and there discover small stories of odd, unique and unusual deliveries. These stories are not necessarily connected to the year with which they are presented.

Current Lindab market presence (February 2009)

Key to the table

New factory or major expansion of existing unit

lindab 1959 - 2009

Lage Lindh

Valter Persson

Lidhult

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1956 - 1958

Prologue: the pre-Grevie yearsLidhults Plåtslageri in Lidhult, approximately 80 km from Grevie, was owned by tinsmith Valter Persson, who ran the business assisted by two employees. What distinguished Valter from other tinsmiths was that he had started a small scale semi automated production of fittings for exterior wall cladding. A production concept highly unusual in this trade!

It was 1956 when jack-of-all-trades, Lage Lindh, walked in. He had previously sold fruit and berries, and shortly thereafter he had travelled around the farms and cottages of southern Sweden selling paint. When visiting Lidhult one day in March, an acquaintance of Lage told him about Valter Persson, the tinsmith who had designed an aluminum strip to be used for mounting exterior cladding, which he had then started to mass produce. Lage Lindh decided to visit Valter Persson, who was in need of someone to travel around promoting and selling the aluminum strips, so they two came to an agreement. Over the next three years, Lage would take care of marketing the new aluminium strips.

During the first year, Lage covered approximately 120,000 km behind the wheel, visiting virtually every timber merchant from Ystad in southern Sweden to Haparanda in the very north. Lage soon noticed that selling the aluminium strips was particularly successful in those places where the staff actively demonstrated the product along with its advan-tages. Lidhults therefore produced a small model cottage clad in eternit panels fitted with the help of the company’s handy aluminum strips.

Sales took off over the next few years, Valter employed more and more people and so Lage started to think that the strips could be complemented with further products. Windowsills and barge-board fixtures continued to be done by the tin-smiths, but towards the end of the 50s, Lage saw how the new “do-it-yourself” market was growing. Production of these fixtures started up and in 1958 the premises in Lidhult started to become increasingly cramped while the parsi-monious local authorities did little to create opportunities for expansion. During a trip to Båstad, Lage visited timber firm NP Nilsson in Grevie, and happened to hear about vacant premises that would suit Lidhults Plåtslageri’s growing busi-ness.

Pretty soon, the story began in earnest.

1956Valter Persson runs Lidhults Plåtslageri in Lidhult

Lage Lindh appointed to marketthe new aluminium strips

1957Net sales and the number of employees really started to take off

Lage Lindh proposes windowsills andbarge boards as new products

1958Production of sheet metal fixtures begins

The premises started to become too small

Lage Lindh visits Grevie and discovers the new premises

Lage and Valter decide to move operations to Grevie

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1959 -- 2009

1959 -- 2009 Air duct systems

Comfort

Building components

Building systems

1959 1960 - 1969 1970 - 1979

1959 1963 1968 1970

1961 1965 1969 1974

lindab 1959 - 2009

Company establishedpages 16-17

Half a century of simplifying construction with steel solutions

From sheet metal workshop to sheet metal industry in two yearspages 20-21

The crisis, the solution andexpansionpages 18-19

Scandinavia’s biggestpages 24-25

A new business area emergespages 22-23

Widened customer base and name change to Lindabpages 26-27

Partnership for increased exportpages 28-29

Roof drainage moved to Förslövpages 30-31

1970 - 1979 1980 - 1989

1975 1978 1982 1986

1974 1980 1984 19881976

Seriously into Western Europepages 32-33

Roof drainage moved to Förslövpages 30-31

LINDABsafe is launchedpages 34-35

Growing product rangepages 36-37

Continued expansionand growthpages 38-39

VM-gruppen acquired andbranch system expandedpages 40-41

“OTC” stock exchange listing and further acquisitionspages 42-43

Circular duct systems take the leadpages 44-45

Past the billion markpages 46-47

Lindab ABBåstad

Lindab LtdGreat Britain

Lindab Ventilation ABBåstad

Lindab Profil ABBåstad

Lindab VM ABBåstad

Lindab Int. Holding B.V.The Netherlands

Ventilation

Business Area

Roofing/wall systems Sales company Real estate companies

Lindab A/SNorway

Lindab Nord ABBoliden

Scandev Properties LtdGreat Britain

Spiro International S.A.Switzerland

Lindab Steel ABBåstad

Lindab Inc.USA

Lindab Holding A/SDenmark

Lindab GmbHGermany

Lindab S.A.France

Lindab Sp. z.o.o.Poland

Lindab Nova S.A.Spain

Lindab Kft.Hungary

Lindab S.p.A.Italy

20001990

1991

1992

1994

1996

1997

1998

1999

1990 - 1999 2000 - 2008

“You can see that they need our roofs and gutters”pages 48-49

Lindab makes early entry into CEEpages 50-51

Biggest structural change so farpages 52-53

Further growth in CEEpages 54-55

Lightweight construction gathers momentumpages 56-57

Rainline and IT simplifypages 58-59

Past the half-billion mark in CEEpages 60-61

Lindab goes WYSIWYGpages 62-63

Record – for both growth andsteel pricespages 64-65

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2000 - 2008

Record – for both growth andsteel pricespages 64-65

Delisting and raising skill levelspages 66-67

Reorganization into two business areaspages 68-69

Fill the Gap and return of the former core valuespages 70-71

Strong products provide strong developmentpages 72-73

Lindab returns to the stock exchangepages 76-77

Safe Click – simplifying construc-tion with a single clickpages 78-79

RdBX – another simple click solutionpages 80-81

Added steel building power with Astronpages 74-75

lindab 1959 - 2009

1959

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1959

1959Net sales SEK 400,000 • 18 employees

AB Lidhults Plåtindustri formed on 6 February

Lage Lindh and Valter Persson own 50 % each

6 February 1959. The winter sun cast its faint glow over Grevie in southern Sweden as Lage Lindh – salesman, entrepreneur and visionary – together with Valter Persson – tinsmith and industrialist – became partners in the newly formed AB Lidhults Plåtindustri. The name Lindab would not make an appearance for another 10 years, for the focus then was entirely on making life easier for builders and homeown-ers. The mass-produced aluminum strips, windowsills and barge boards sold well and simplified installation.

Lage continued to travel among Sweden’s timber merchants, often winning over warehouse managers and increasing sales. For the most part Lidhults Plåtindustri continued to be a tinsmith business, both in the traditional

sense, as well as in the form of small-scale manual produc-tion of gutters and downpipes which were added by some timber merchants. Lage started to wonder whether or not to invest in genuine mass production of these products as well. Valter was more doubtful, but still believed that Lidhults “could be a million kronor company if Lage could just hold on”. The word “Plåtindustri” (sheet metal industry) undoubt-edly hinted at such ambitions.

Lage Lindh and Valter Persson purchased the premises used by the Skåne Egg distribution business from Grevie Savings Bank (1). Next, Grevie’s Railway Hotel (2) and Sven Neborg’s shop (3) were acquired. These premises today form parts of Lindab’s head office in Grevie.

Company established

1961

lindab 1959 - 2009

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Everything loaded and unloaded by hand. Raw materials in, new products out. From left Johnny Bergman, Helge Henningsson, Rune Svensson and Gösta Johansson.

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1960 - 1969

The crisis, the solution and expansionDuring the autumn and winter of 1960, the production of aluminum strips and fixtures increased substantially. The stocks were replen-ished in order to have sufficient levels for when sales were expected to take-off again in early 1961. Even before the end of the year how-ever, strong frost and wintery conditions arrived in earnest to put the skids on not just the icy roads, but on sales too. Combined with the late arrival of spring, Lidhults Plåtindustri experienced an acute liquidity crisis. Lage travelled to Malmö to meet with angry creditors. The Banks in Båstad were wary.

Torsten Christiansson, an Ängelholm ironmonger, had great faith in Lage Lindh however and when he got to hear about the pre-dicament, he underwrote the credit to Lidhults Plåtindustri for the full amount of SEK 25,000 in steel purchases. Many of the custom-ers, the timber merchants, also got to hear about Lidhults worries and one by one, they began to show their support by purchasing and stocking Lidhults products during the long, hard spring. The money slowly began to roll in with head of finance Regat at credi-tor Odelberg & Ohlsson declaring to Lage “I believe in you, you can have whatever you need”, thus saving the day.

During late summer, growth returned in earnest. Liquidity was restored further through strong sales. Lage and Valter took on more employees and there was even money for renovating and upgrad-ing the plant. By the end of 1961, semi-industrial mass production of gutters and downpipes commenced, and the birth of one of Lindab’s true core products – roof drainage – approached. During 1962, the new production gathered pace and grew so much, that it moved to temporary premises in Västra Karup, a small village not far from Grevie. The closed school was used for production with the former retirement home used for storage. The production of strips and fixtures remained in Grevie and by the end of 1962, the need to gather everything under one roof had increased.

1960Net sales SEK 700,000 • 26 employees

Strip and fixture operations evolveinto the main business

1961Net sales SEK 1.4 m • 28 employees

Cold winter leads to high stock levels and liquidity crisis

Salvation comes through support from suppliers and customers

Sales return and expansion follows


Manufacture of pipes and guttering increases

The business expands into rented premises

1963

lindab 1959 - 2009

Simplifying construction predated the start of smoking restrictions.

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1960 - 1969

In 1963, a major step was taken with the purchase of presses and tools from the insolvent estate of Karl-Evert Johansson. The administrator confided to Lage and Valter that Karl-Evert and his father were extremely knowledgeable within press and pro-duction technology, a field that he knew to be an area Lidhults wished to improve. With that, Karl-Evert and his father were employed, who then together with Valter, workshop foreman Knut Zachrisson and Gunnar Eriksson, embarked on something of a pioneering project to radically improve Lidhults production, some-thing that would soon be seen in the product range.

During the year, bends for roof drainage were launched in several dimensions and angles. These were warmly received from customers who saw great value in an extended range. Skills and knowledge in the company grew and the decision to buy a Rima machine from Germany was taken unanimously. This made it possible to produce single gutters and downpipes up to

six metres in length, and since the new products could now be produced from a single piece of sheet metal, the rust prone lat-eral seams could be eliminated altogether. Another benefit to the customer.

The new one-piece products were launched in 1964 together with a new factory produced guttering bracket, instantly mak-ing Lidhults galvanised roof drainage assortment unique in its breadth and quality. Instead of customers purchasing guttering and pipes from one supplier, bends from another and brackets from a third – as had been the only option – everything now exist-ed at Lidhults Plåtindustri.

The transformation from a sheet metal workshop to a sheet metal industry was complete and in November 1964 the new fac-tory on Ängelholmsvägen in Grevie was officially opened.

From sheet metal workshop to sheet metal industry in two years

1963Presses purchased from insolvent estate

Skills and production technology improves radically

Pressed bends for roof drainage launched

Rima machine for one-piece lengths purchased


One-piece guttering and pipes launched

Brackets launched

Lidhults is alone in being able to offer a complete range of roof drainage products

New factory on Ängelholmsvagen officially opens in November

A 1963 gathering in the corner between the yellow house and workshop up in Grevie.

In 1964 Ängelholmsvägen in Grevie takes on a completely new profile – Lidhults Plåtindustri’s new modern factory.

Our wettest delivery was 268 metres of Rainline to Oddsvik in the Faroe Islands. There, if it’s not raining it’s snowing. Lage Lindh expressed it well with the words “thank heavens for pouring rain”.

lindab 1959 - 2009

1965 One of the first Spiro tube forming machines producing spiral seamed ventilation ducts on the production line.

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1960 - 1969

A new business area emergesThe new factory on Ängelholmsvägen, by now a small part of Lindab’s Grevie facility, provided a completely new opportunity for rationalised and streamlined production. All the new machines were moved here, a modern facility for hot galvanising was built and for the first time, Lage was seriously able to realise his ideas about neat-ness and order. The outcome was both better quality and faster delivery times, and together with his employees, Lage could promise customers “continued agreeable business relations”.

This was certainly a great event, but even greater ones lay ahead. Lage was not just an orderly man, he was also a visionary. “The conveyance of cold and warm air through prefabricated steel ducts is the sound of the future,” he declared frankly when he first made contact with Tor Anders Jensen, son of Erling Jensen who had invented the Spiro machine for the automatic production of spi-ral-seam ventilation ducts in the early 1950s. Strangely enough, this project had started as a post-war project for effective desert irriga-tion in Africa, but Erling Jensen saw an entirely new possibility for his machine. Svenska Fläktfabriken were alert and had already pur-chased one Spiro Tubeformer and Lage knew that with the new fac-tory in place, it was time for a new business area.

Lidhults purchased its first Tubeformer, began test production and during the year launched an additional factory-made product, Spiro – spiral-seam ventilation ducts. During 1966 and 1967 there was rapid development within the ventilation assortment comprising fit-tings, silencers, dampers and other parts. In this important work, the experience and knowledge from the pressing and production of roof drainage was put to good use. A new warehouse was built on Ängelholmsvägen and all the small irregular stock was scrapped. Sales began to take-off and Valter’s belief that Lidhults could become a “million kronor company” had already been realised ten times over.

The new business area is highlighted in a sales catalogue.


The new factory on Ängelholmsvägen becomes operational

Neatness and order takes on greater importance

Quality and service are further strengthened

Ventilation added as a business area

Spiro launched


Development of ventilation components begins

Experience from roof drainage exploited


Spiro now available in more than 20 dimensions together with more than 40 types of component

New warehouse built

More and more ventilation components such as bends, reducers and T-pieces are added to Lidhults’ new ventilation assortment.

1968

lindab 1959 - 2009

The range of duct components grows rapidly.

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1960 - 1969

Scandinavia’s biggest1968 was the year that Lidhults Plåtindustri had cause to describe itself as “Scandinavia’s biggest manufacturer of factory-made sheet metal components”. By this time, the company’s roof drainage and ventilation ranges were so extensive that the word “complete” began to appear more and more frequently in bro-chures and printed matter.

In 1968, Lidhults became the first to use seam welding for both roof drainage bends and duct components. This gave improved corrosion resistance and tighter tolerances, both of which were welcomed by both dealers and retail customers. It was also the year in which competitors launched plastic as a new roof drainage material. Lidhults evaluated but quickly rejected the material due to a number of poor properties. One advantage was found however – plastic roof drainage could be produced in sev-eral colours.

Lage contacted Domnarvets Jernverk and suggested experi-menting with plastic-coated sheet metal in a limited range of col-ours. The experiments were successful and Lidhults quickly learn to produce of tubes and pipes from plastic-coated sheet metal. To be able to supply brackets, pipe holders and covers, a paint-ing facility was built for applying the Organosol plastic coating. Sales of both roof drainage and ventilation ranges increased con-stantly and more and more people were employed.

Duct components in large dimensions were seam welded together by hand in black sheet-metal which was then galvanised. The smaller dimensions and bigger volumes on the other hand were pressed by tools that were developed in-house.


Lidhults Plåtindustri is now the biggest manufac-turer of sheet metal components in Scandinavia

In order to challenge the new plastic material, Organosol coated sheet metal starts to be used within roof drainage

Our most unsuccessful delivery, was fortunately a trial delivery. The first real test of the new Lindab Safe happened to the rebuilding of the Hotel Savoy in Malmö. Nothing fit, until the next day when we delivered better dimensioned duct components. The customer ended up being highly satisfied and is still with us.

Lidhults Plåtindustri’s newly established company board assemble for their first meeting.

lindab 1959 - 2009

1969 Lage Lindh welcomes a number of French ventilation customers to the new factory.

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1960 - 1969

Widened customer base and name change to Lindab1969 became an important new milestone in the company’s his-tory, with both positive and negative signs. Valter Persson died tragically in an accident. Lage Lindh acquired the family’s shares and changed the company name to Lindab Lindhs Industri AB.

Lindab had already generated a new group of custom-ers through direct sales to the tinsmiths. In order to drastically increase volumes in this important new customer group, agree-ments were signed with the three sheet metal wholesalers Lindahl & Nermark (later Plåtluna), Famex and Sjömander.

Via these new channels, Lindab was then able to aggres-sively market the newly developed ventilation system which had become even wider and more complete. In addition to this came the plastic coated sheet metal roof drainage system – in the col-ours black, grey and brown – now launched under the name Plåtisol. Both the ventilation system and Plåtisol gained rapid success with the tinsmiths who saw how they could increase

their efficiency and profitability by purchasing prefabricated fac-tory-painted components that were both high in quality and with a precision that even they could not achieve. It therefore became increasingly unprofitable for them to manufacture roof drainage themselves, especially with the market crying out for more and more installations. In addition, the popularity of Lindab’s circu-lar duct system was permanently on the increase. This made installation simpler, as did the fact that it was now being stocked nationwide, an important advantage.

In May of 1969 a further factory building was opened bringing the total factory area on Ängelholmsvägen in Grevie to 15,000 m2

and by acquiring an additional 100,000 m2 of land from farmer Fritz Karlsson the route towards expansion opened up fully. Furthermore, exports began to gather momentum through direct sales to Denmark, France and others.

Plåtisol in black, brown and grey attract more and more tinsmiths to Lindab’s wide range of roof drainage products.

Lindab was adopted as the company name after Lage Lindh acquired all the shares.


Valter Persson dies

Lage Lindh becomes sole owner

Change of name to Lindab Lindhs Industri AB

Agreement signed with key sheet metal wholesalers

Sales via wholesalers to tinsmiths increases rapidly

The new Plåtisol roof drainage system is launched with plastic coated sheet metal in three colours

The new range of ventilation products now increasingly complete

Factory expanded to 15,000 m2

lindab 1959 - 2009

1970 Lage Lindh and Tor Anders Jensen agree that Spiro Investment will sell Lindab’s ventilation products in Europe and the United States.

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1970 - 1979


Agreement with Spiro Investment regarding sales ventilation products outside the Nordic region

Exports reach SEK 4.1 m

Productivity increases as a result of initiatives in production technology and staff welfare


The first foreign subsidiary, Spirovent in Denmark, is established


Spiro Investment becomes a part owner of Lindab

The factory at Lindab Nord in Lycksele officially opens

1973Net sales SEK 54.3 m (18 months) • 239 employees

Productivity increases 35 % on the previous year

The first production robot is installed

Exports reach SEK 9.3 m

Partnership for increased exportIn 1970, export initiatives were high on the agenda. Lage reached an agreement with Tor Anders Jensen for Spiro Investment to have the responsibility for selling Lindab’s entire ventilation pro-gramme outside the Nordic region and in the USA. This meant that Lindab’s products were now being sold throughout Europe and the first delivery to the USA took place in May. During the year, exports reached SEK 4.1 m, and together with strong growth in productivity, the company reported a healthy profit.

The range of construction strips was enhanced further through the investment in a new edge machine for profiles meas-uring up to 6 meters. Within ventilation, the range of product was supplemented with a new circular silencer.

Lage Lindh’s sensitivity towards the employees and their well-being was already much discussed. A good working envi-ronment and good working conditions spread commitment and responsibility throughout the company. Together with increasingly advanced production equipment, this was a key explanation for the growth in productivity that was now taking place.

During 1971 the Norwegian firm Roald Maskin A/S began selling Lindab’s Plåtisol along with the ventilation products. In order to improve the management of sales to Danish customers, which until then had handled from Grevie, Lindab opened its first foreign subsidiary, Spirovent A/S, in Denmark.

During 1972 the partnership with Tor Anders Jensen intensi-fied when he became a part owner in Lindab. The new factory for manufacturing ducts in northern Sweden, Lindab Nord in Lycksele, opened its doors in March. Lindab Hälsovård (Lindab’s Health Care Center) was also officially inaugurated on 19 April, providing all employees with two free doctor’s appointments per year.

Spirovent A/S in Denmark becomes the first foreign subsidiary with premises at Amager near Kastrup.

A pleasant working environment and strong camaraderie leads to many enjoyable activities.

1974

lindab 1959 - 2009

With roof drainage moved to Förslöv, produc-tivity as well as “neatness and order” could be improved and developed.

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1970 - 1979

Roof drainage moved to FörslövAs sales continuously increased, it became increasingly difficult to coordinate production of the two business areas under one roof. The Goodyear factory in Förslöv, close to Lindab in Grevie, was to be shut down and when Lage was invited to take over the 12,000 m2 premises in 1974 he readily accepted the chance. At the same time that the production was being moved, new roll-ing mills for guttering and pipes were also installed to increase production capacity. These actions contributed further to the neatness and order that was now spreading ever more rapidly throughout the business. During the year, the Organosol coating system was replaced by Plastisol giving the roof drainage prod-ucts and profiles more durable colour coatings. Something that pleased the customers as well as Lindab.

Circular duct systems had now become the biggest product in terms of sales, despite Spiro Investments sales of Lindab venti-lation components in Western Europe not doing as well as Lindab had hoped. It was quite apparent that Spiro Investments were putting the most effort into selling their own machines.

In Sweden, the Svenska Fläktfabriken had quietly slipped out a new type of approved duct system using rubber seal duct components, surprising both Lindab and the market. Lage gave instructions to the sales manager at ventilation, Carl-Gustaf Sondén, and factory manager Per-Åke Tuvesson to immediately begin their own development of this hugely interesting product. After a challenging and intricate development process, they pro-posed a solution with dual rubber strips fastened using a steel band. This represented a much better, more easily assembled and energy-saving product. Lage Lindh gave his seal of approval and the development work gathered pace.

During the year the VM-gruppen was added as a new whole-saler after their owner Ulf Moberg called-up Lindab with a very large and interesting order.

1974 was also the year that a new computer system was put into service – without punch-cards!

The new factory in Förslöv is equipped with new rolling mills for producing guttering and pipes, now coated with the durable Plastisol colours.


Production of roof drainage and profiles moves to the new factory in Förslöv

Plastisol replaces Organosol for coating

Circular duct systems are the biggest product but Spiro Investments sales in Western Europe do not match expectations

The Svenska Fläktfabriken launches ducts with rubber seals. Lindab immediately launches its own development

The VM-gruppen becomes the 4th wholesaler of ventilation products

lindab 1959 - 2009

1975 The new factory in Haderslev, Jutland brings Lindab closer to both Danish and European customers.

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1970 - 1979

Seriously into Western EuropeIn 1975, the partnership between Lindab and Spiro Investment was dissolved when it became increasingly evident that Lindab needed to have direct contact with the growing European mar-ket in order to strengthen sales of its duct components. Lage Lindh then bought Spiro Investment out allowing Lindab to take own control of the development. Carl-Gustaf Sondén was given the task of travelling around to each of Spiro’s duct customers in Western Europe and offering them prices and conditions that created a win-win situation for both parties. The sales dropped from the split with Spiro were swiftly recovered.

In connection with these events, a decision was made to take over an existing factory in Haderslev on Jutland, Denmark in order to begin the production of ducts and hand-made com-ponents. Towards the end of the year, Hans-Schmidt Hansen was employed to head up the Danish and German operations. In addition, the first management group in Lindab’s history was formed to coordinate the ever growing company’s sales, produc-tion and finances.

Within Lindab, work was also underway to adapt the ventilation range to the new Eurovent standard which provided a new com-prehensive set of dimensions. The development of Lindab’s own rubber sealed components continued with the launch drawing near.

During the year the Lindab ventilation distributor VM-grup-pen purchased another Lindab distributor, Sjömander. Since Sjömander was already selling Lindab’s roof drainage programme and had good knowledge of these products, Lindab’s roof drain-age were soon distributed through all VM-gruppen outlets and sales increased.

In Gothenburg, on the west coast of Sweden, the first Lindab branch opens. More will follow in the years to come.

The new management group assembles for the first time at “the CEO’s holiday retreat on Lake Bolmen”.


The agreement with Spiro Investment is terminated and Lindab takes over sales in Western Europe

A new factory is started in Haderslev on Jutland

Adaptation to the Eurovent standard begins

VM-gruppen starts selling Lindab’s roof drainage

The factories in Grevie and Förslöv are extended by 5,000 m2 and 4,000 m2 respectively

lindab 1959 - 2009

1976 LINDABsafe with its double rubber seals sets a new standard within more airtight duct systems.

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1970 - 1979

LINDABsafe is launchedThe annual report for 1976 could finally mention “the new joining sys-tem LINDABsafe, consisting of a rubber strip attached to the com-ponents which forms a seal with the inside of the tube”. Lindab was not the first to get there, but with its newly patented Safe system it had created one of the core products which would greatly contribute to future growth and provide customers the advantages of easier installation, tighter systems and, consequently, lower energy con-sumption. This was also the year that Sweden and other European countries moved to the new Eurovent standard, and after adjusting more than 2,000 items, Lindab could now offer tinsmiths and ventila-tion fitters throughout Europe two duct systems – the rubber sealed LINDABsafe and traditional, simpler LINDABvent for sealing with tape and putty.

During the year, there was also a reorganisation where the par-ent company changed the name to Lindab Ventilation AB and the Swedish factories became subsidiaries Lindab Plåtisol AB (Förslöv) and Lindab Nord AB (Lycksele).

In 1977, the development and documentation of the LINDABsafe programme continued, providing tinsmiths workers and installers with improved safety and greater confidence in the assembly. Major efforts were being made to achieve 100 % measurement accuracy, something that would be an integral part of future development work right up to the present day. The better the products fit, the better the final outcome. This was something that both the customers and their clients were in complete agreement about.

In agreement with Roald Maskin A/S, a Norwegian distribution company, Lindab opened its own sales offices in Oslo, Norway. The same happened in Hamburg, Germany. Lindab now had its own operations in Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Norway.

In the newly built premises in Förslöv a fully automated powder coating line for guttering brackets was installed. The transition from paint to powder coating provided substantial environmental benefits.

The new Safe system is tested and documented meticulously in order to provide customers with more efficient assembly.


LINDABsafe is launched

Ventilation programme adapted to Eurovent

Reorganisation implemented with new companies formed


Development of LINDABsafe continues

Sales office opens in Oslo

Sales office opens in Hamburg

The new powder coating in Förslöv makes production consider-ably better for the environment.

Our most secret delivery was the Lindab Safe system which was delivered for the construction of Helsingborg’s Hospital. The duct system producer, and one of our main competitors, Svenska Fläktfabriken was also acting as the contractor for the delivery. However, they purchased the duct system from us instead, since they wanted to offer the best price and quality!

lindab 1959 - 2009

1978 With the two new wire welders from Soudronic, Lindab becomes the first in the world to weld galvanised ventilation bends automatically. Both these welders continue to be used today.

37

1970 - 1979Plåtisol continued to strengthen its position as the leading roof drainage system. The double-sided coated steel plate and the complete product range made Plåtisol an increasingly obvious choice. A fully automated press line for pipe holders was devel-oped and put into operation. This meant that the pipe holder and foot could now be produced from one piece, providing a faster and simpler assembly. In 1979 a new gutter stop end and gutter joint were introduced with EDM rubber seals.

And in 1978 within ventilation, Lindab presented a unique technical document for their silencers, which was received well by the market. Furthermore, the first T-piece branch from a single piece was launched, which as well as providing air characteristics with reduced eddy formation also allowed the manufacture in a

single step instead of the thirteen as previously. In 1979, Lindab also became the first ventilation company to directly weld galva-nised sheet metal duct bends using the new Soudronic machines in Grevie. This gave the range of bends greater tolerances and improved protection against corrosion A new, fully automated line for pressing bends increased precision and improved the working environment.

In Germany, the subsidiary Lindab GmbH was formed in 1978 and in the following year, a new warehouse opened in Bargteheide contributing to a continued positive growth in exports.

Growing product range

Plåtisol continues to strengthen its position as the leading roof drainage system in Sweden.


New technical documentation for silencers

The first fully integrated T-piece is launched

Plåtisol continues to develop well

All-in-one pipe holder and foot is launched

Subsidiary Lindab GmbH formed in Germany


New gutter stop end and gutter joint launched

The first welded galvanised sheet steel bends are launched

New warehouse opens in Bargteheide, Germany

Kifab in Olofström, producer of roof drainageproducts, is acquired

Sales office and warehouse in Copenhagen moves to new premises in Hvidovre

A unique technical document for the range of silencers is very well received by the market.

The new fully automated line for press-ing bend halves into duct halves gives increased precision and a better working environment.

lindab 1959 - 2009

1980 Hans Schmidt-Hansen, Carl-Gustaf Sondén, Lage Lindh, Leon Hansson, Jerry Johansson and Thomas Andersson in front of a Plåtisol wall.

39

1980 -1989

During 1981 the key product ranges were broadened with new innovative products.

Sales of the LINDABsafe system continued upwards and in 1980, Lindab acquired 40 % of the VM-gruppen, providing an entirely new form of direct contact with the market and enhanced opportunities for increased sales. Lindab also truly understood how much customers valued a nearby service and local stocks and how this drove sales. Expansion outside Sweden continued with the formation of the subsidiary Lindab Peltiset AB in Finland, focusing on roof drainage, and Lindab Ventilation A/S in Norway. In order to meet the future growth, the Förslöv factory was extended to 18,000 m2 and the production of guttering brackets was moved altogether to the newly acquired Kifab in Olofström, in the south-east of Sweden.

In 1981 there were many new product launches. A range of new Plåtisol components were launched, including caps, angles

and stops for guttering. Together with adjustable branches and new hooks, the system grew further. Ventilation advanced with adjustable dampers and an ingenious measuring bend, providing the conditions for better and more controlled ventilation.

1981 was also the year that the parent company changed its name to Lindab AB and Lage Lindh received an award for job creation activities from the Swedish employment organisation TRR Trygghetsrådet. Grevie’s Railway Hotel had by now been rebuilt and was ready to become the Group’s new headquarters. The Group management had good reasons for being satisfied.

Continued expansion and growth


Lindab purchases 40 % of the VM-gruppen

Subsidiary Lindab Peltiset AB is formed in Finland

Subsidiary Lindab Ventilation A/S is formed in Norway

The factory in Förslöv is expanded to 18,000 m2


Several new Plåtisol products are launched

Adjustable dampers and a measuring bend are launched

“The Hotel” is officially opened as the new head office

Lage Lindh receives award from TRR

In 1981 Lindab adopted the logo that is still used today.

Our most unusual delivery, or rather the most unusual assembly carried out by a customer, was the installation of an extensive Rainline system on a major housing development in Spain. The cli-ent had a team of mountaineers fit all the pipes and guttering on the six-storey houses. Simplifying construction even without scaffolding.

lindab 1959 - 2009

1982 The VM-gruppen’s head office and warehouse in Johanneshov, Stockholm is now part of Lindab’s increasingly expanded distribution network.

41

1980 - 1989

VM-gruppen acquired and branch system expandedIn early 1982, the distributor Plåtluna decided to leave the part-nership with Lindab. Lindab responded quickly by acquiring the entire VM-gruppen. This meant increasing the number of branch-es from 6 to 13 and by launching its own lorry door-to-door deliv-ery system, Lindab’s volumes increase. A new distribution strat-egy was formulated with local presence and intensified customer contact at the top of the list, advancing the positions towards the tinsmiths and installers another step.

When Lindab also launched the long awaited red Plåtisol coating, along with a whole new range of products – roofing and profiled sheeting – this contributed yet further to the sales increase of 48 % that took place during the year.

The export markets grew steadily and in 1983, warehouses and manufacturing were built in both Neumarkt in Germany and Milton Keynes in the UK. The branch system grew rapidly throughout the Nordic region with new the new flagship branch in Jönköping, Sweden.

Red Plåtisol and a completely new assortment of roofing and profiled sheeting are among the interesting product launches.


Remainder of VM-gruppen acquired

Expanded branch network and new freight system

Red Plåtisol and profiled sheeting launched

Haderslev doubles its production surface


Subsidiary Lindab Ltd is formed in the UK

Expanded manufacturing/warehouses in Germany and the UK

New branches in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland

The VM-gruppen’s sales offices and warehouses strengthen Lindab’s ever growing branch system.

lindab 1959 - 2009

1984

43

1980 - 1989

An ever greater presence on the market and continual product launches strengthened Lindab’s position as “the complete provider”.

The futuristic cover of the annual report (opposite page) in 1984 indicates that it was a significant year, as well as signaling the begin-ning of a future-oriented era. Quotation on the Stockholm Stock Exchange’s OTC list provided new capital and a broader ownership, while acquisitions increase Lindab’s range and distribution network. The OTC prospectus referred to Lindab and its “complete systems, local services and distribution, easily installed, quality products and continuous product development.” This was a description of Lindab which, even then, was well recognised. During the year, the business was divided up into two business areas for the first time – ventilation and roofing/wall systems.

49 % of Meko AB in Sweden was acquired, consisting of six stores for the sale of the profiled sheeting and complete warehous-es, with the remainder acquired the following year. Riscanco A/S, the Danish developer and manufacturer of air diffusers, was also acquired. Their expertise in project planning and design of diffus-ers and grilles, plus a fully-owned air laboratory, meant that Lindab’s customers were now able to meet the increasing demands on indoor climate even better.

In 1984 Carl-Gustaf Sondén took over as President and Lage Lindh took the role of CEO.

The launch of Corrulett roofing profiles and an extensive program for roof safety further strengthened Lindab’s position in the market. When five new Plåtisol colours were unveiled at the Malmö Exhibition & Convention Centre in 1985, Lindab described itself as “the com-plete provider.” The new range was extremely well received.

In 1985 the VM-gruppen changed name to Lindab VM and Lindab was by now present in 40 locations in the Nordic region, Germany and the UK.

“OTC” stock exchange listing and further acquisitions

1984Net sales SEK 422 m • 674 employees

Quotation on the Stockholm Stock Exchange’s OTC list

49 % of Meko AB acquired (the remaining share in 1985)

Riscanco A/S in Denmark acquired

Corrulett roofing profiles launched

Roof safety programme launched

Two business areas: ventilation and roofing/ wall systems

Carl-Gustaf Sondén becomes President


Five new Plåtisol colours presented

The VM-gruppen changes its name to Lindab VM

Lindab now present in 40 locations throughout Europe

Riscanco’s range of diffusers and grilles were the first among the product range for indoor climate solutions that came to be developed.

Our widest delivery was for the giant warehouse roof of car accessory whole-saler Biltema in Halmstad. Lindab’s LTP115 High Profile can be found there covering a surface equivalent to eight entire football pitches. Inside the build-ing is a Lindab Safe duct system which is no less impressive.

lindab 1959 - 2009

1986 Simplified, rapid assembly with a tight and energy-efficient results meant that Lindab Safe grew steadily in more and more markets.

45

1980 - 1989

The development of production technology was always high on the list of priorities. Increased automation and the use of plasma cutting meant ever greater precision and improved quality.

With 48 % of sales, circular ducts now comprise the Group’s single most important product. It is also the product that had grown the most in terms of exports. But the roofing/wall system business area was being anything but idle and it launched the company’s first steel partition wall stud. Admittedly this was done relatively quietly since the marketing was done exclusively through the plaster manufacturer Danogips, but in time this would prove to be the forerunner of a new, rapidly growing light construction technology.

Production was expanded in both Haderslev and at Riscanco in Farum, and in Grevie the construction of a new press hall got underway. Since all processing was now being done directly in hot-dip galvanised steel sheet, the galvanising plant in Grevie could be closed in 1987, therefore reducing the environmental impact.

1986 was Lindab’s strongest year to date in terms of profit. One of the explanations for this was that Lindab’s entrepreneurial organisation was able to make quick decisions and respond effectively to the needs and wishes of customers and the market.

The demands for improved working environments and even sim-pler assembly were increasing, resulting in all ventilation compo-nents from 1987 being produced with reinforced rims. This not only gave a not so sharp and sturdier edge to all components, but also an improved tightness. 20 years later, this change would prove to be significant in the development of the new, ground-breaking Safe Click system.

In France, Lindab acquired the ventilation distributor Aerotechnique SARL, stepping into yet another European market.

Roofing/wall systems made additional launches within light-weight construction with the new Z and C beams.

Circular duct systems take the lead


Circular dust systems are now the biggest product

The first steel partition wall stud is launched

Factories in Haderslev and Farum are extended

Construction of a new press hall in Grevie begins

1987Net sales SEK 778 m • 1,029 employees

Reinforced rims on all fittings

Z and C beams are launched

Aerotechnique SARL in France is acquired

Galvanization in Grevie is halted

The new computer centre (formerly Sven Neborg’s shop, see page 17) was opened, becoming the focal point of the internal com-puter-based business systems. Today it is the headquarters of business area Ventilation.

lindab 1959 - 2009

1988 Lindab Steel becomes the hub for the Group’s slitting and cutting of sheet metal.

47

1980 - 1989

Lindab’s business grows steadily, both geographically and product wise.

1988Net sales SEK 1,053 m • 1,304 employees

Billion mark is passed

One of the leading companies in Europe in its respective industries

Lindab Steel formed and takes on the responsi-bility for the Group’s metal processing

The 5,000 m2 press hall in Grevie is opened

The factories in Haderslev and Farum are extended once again

Carl-Gustaf Sondén named CEO

Lage Lindh receives businessman of the year award


Steel halls introduced as a new product area

Lindab Plåtisol increases the production of steel studs, steel battens and lightweight beams

New factories built in Northampton, UK, Oslo, Norway and Helsinki, Finland

In 1988, Lindab was one of the leading companies in Europe within both of its business areas. More than 5,000 products. Its own sales and manufacturing companies in 66 locations throughout seven countries. Steel purchases of more than 85,000 tonnes with net sales passing the one billion mark, figures that Lage Lindh and his colleagues from the early day could never have even dreamed of.

Lindab Steel was formed and became the hub for the Group’s slitting and cutting of sheet metal. In June, 700 guests were invited to the grand opening of the “factory of the 90s”, the new and highly automated press hall in Grevie with driverless trucks, under floor collection of sheet metal spill, and computer consoles in every direction. Haderslev and Farum were also extended once again and Lage Lindh, who had by then become the active Chairman, was awarded the Albert Bonniers prize for businessman of the year in Sweden.

President Carl-Gustaf Sondén was also appointed the CEO.

Steel halls were introduced in 1989 as a separate product area and Lindab’s lightweight construction was increasingly highlighted as a remedy for the problem of “sick housing”. Lindab Plåtisol increased the production of steel studs, steel battens and beams.

The production units for the ventilation business area in Northampton, Oslo and Helsinki were extended and Lindab’s pro-duction system was already proving to be a successful blend of centralised and local production.

During the year, a world-changing event occurred that would prove to be extremely important for Lindab during the next decade. The “iron curtain” separating east and west Europe came down.

Past the billion mark

Our strangest delivery was a duct system for the roof of a child’s play-house in Stockholm. It wound like a giant snake on the roof and was nothing more than an artistic decoration.

New press hall in Grevie officially opens.

lindab 1959 - 2009

1990 Steel studs and some profiled sheeting start to be produced at the new stud hall in Förslöv, shortening delivery times.

49

1990 - 1999

Lindab Tile Effect Roofing, exterior wall studs and high-profile sheeting were new products from the roofing/wall system business area that were very positively received among building contractors and hall constructors.

The ventilation business area, which was already well established in the key western European markets, accounted for 60 % of sales, but roofing/wall systems was growing faster.

At the start of the 1990s, Carl-Gustaf Sondén described how “Lindab’s origins, the roofing/wall system business area, have enjoyed limited export success in Europe, but trends towards greater proportions of steel in construction and negative expe-riences of plastic are now creating new opportunities for the Group’s roofing/wall products”.

For the first time, the potential for roofing/wallsystems was seen as substantially greater than for ventilation, and a series of “roofing/wall events” followed in quick succession. Lindab Plåtisol in Förslöv changed its name to Lindab Profil and through the acquisition of three Danish companies within profiled sheeting, industrial doors and distribution, Lindab Profil A/S was created in Denmark. The production of partition wall studs was brought into the new 4,000 m2 stud hall in Förslöv, where the newly launched exterior wall studs were being produced. Not only studs, one other new product, the Lindab’s tile effect roofing was also pro-duced there. Plus the steadily growing production of high-profile sheeting, which enabled Lindab to offer the market a range of products for spanning large open spaces thus providing simplified assembly.

The newly formed Lindab Profil A/S in Denmark became the first bridge-head into the European roofing/wall market that was

opening wide after the fall of the iron curtain. But further bridge-heads would follow.

As a teenager growing up in Båstad, Peter Andsberg had worked at Lindab during the summer holidays a few years earlier. Down in Båstad one day in early summer, he happened to meet Lage Lindh who told him that he had been invited to Hungary and wondered whether Peter, whom he knew spoke fluent Hungarian, would like to make the journey with him. He accepted the invitation and they were joined on the trip by Carl-Gustaf Sondén, Erling Pålsson from Totalinstallatören along with their host, the artist Gustav Kraitz.

The day before the journey home, and impressed by the activity in Budapest, Lage announced frankly “CG, we need to start up over here, and Peter can take care of it”. When the Lindab jet took-off a few hours later from the airport in Budapest, Erling Pålsson, who along with the rest of the group realised that Lage was being completely serious, asked “shouldn’t you do some market research first?”. Lage Lindh’s answer was as quick as a flash as he pointed out of the plane window. “But just look at all those rooftops! They obviously need our profiles and gutter-ing.” A few months later, Peter Andsberg was employed at Lindab with the task of establishing Lindab in Hungary.

“You can see that they need our roofs and gutters”


European investment in roofing/wall systems introduced

Lindab Plåtisol AB changes name to Lindab Profil AB

Three Danish acquisitions form Lindab Profil A/S

Dicksson acquired and acoustic studs are added

New profile hall in Förslöv opens

Lindab Tile Effect Roofing is launched

Exterior wall studs are launched

Doors are added as a product area

Lage Lindh receives Order of the Seraphim from His Royal Majesty Carl Gustaf

Lage Lindh receives an honorary fellowship from the Federation of Tinsmiths

Peter Andsberg is employed to build up the business in Hungary

lindab 1959 - 2009

1991 Lage Lindh completes his life’s work at Lindab, after 32 years of innovation and motivational leadership.

51

1990 - 19991991 was the year that Lage Lindh left Lindab. After more than 32 years as the driving force and the man behind Lindab’s trans-formation from a small sheet metal business to a leading provider of ventilation and roofing/wall systems, he sold his majority stake in the in the company and left in the autumn. An era had come to an end, but the spirit he created and the ideas behind Lindab’s development would live on.

A consortium consisting of Carl-Gustaf Sondén, Hans Schmidt-Hansen and four Danish institutional investors took con-trol of Lindab and contributed to floating Lindab’s shares on the stock exchanges in Stockholm and Copenhagen on October 22. The change of ownership however did not change the senior management structure. Carl-Gustaf Sondén and Hans Schmidt-Hansen in their posts at the head office, which remained in Grevie.

Following the change of ownership and the stock exchange listing, there was a focus on core activities within the ventilation and roofing/wall systems business areas. Increased environ-mental requirements in Europe were considered beneficial to the development of ventilation, while the need for better con-struction standards in the former Eastern bloc countries offered new opportunities for the roofing/wall systems. The recession in

Sweden, Norway, Finland and the UK resulted in falling sales, but it also contributed to new efforts in a number of new markets in both Western and Eastern Europe.

Lindab’s close work with clients and architects within the air technology product area had led to a wide component range of silencers, dampers, air diffusers, etc. All this was now assembled under Lindab Comfort range of products, and tests and full-scale experiments at the air laboratory in Farum became more and more frequent.

By the end of the year, new subsidiaries had been created or additional units formed in Italy, France, Germany and Hungary. Just arrived in Hungary, Peter Andsberg began setting up the first small sales office, analyzing the market and searching for land and premises. More than 50 % of sales were now outside of Sweden and the CEE soon became an abbreviation which would come to be widely used in connection with Lindab. The interna-tional footprint was growing larger.

Lindab makes early entry into CEE

1991

Net sales SEK 1,678 m • 1,746 employees

In December, Lage Lindh sells his majority stake in Lindab and resigns from the board

A consortium including Carl-Gustaf Sondén, Hans Schmidt-Hansen and four Danish institutional investors take over

Recession reduces sales

All air technology is gathered under the Lindab Comfort product range

Steel halls develop well

Subsidiary Lindab Kft. formed in Hungary

Subsidiary Lindab S.p.A. formed in Italy

Subsidiary Lindab Profil GmbH formed in Germany

Carl-Gustaf Sondén, President and CEO of Lindab AB, Hans Schmidt-Hansen, Vice President and Managing Director of Lindab A/S Danmark, as well as Chairman of the Board Hans Cavalli-Björkman were some of the key members of the management.

Lindab’s sales of steel halls, which was done through Lindab Meko and its branches, increased both at home and abroad. During the year approximately 400 steel halls were sold.

Our longest delivery in “transport length” must have been there 300 m plus train that delivered the now discon-tinued “Sparrör” from Lindab in Boliden to a motorway project in southern Sweden.

Lindab ABBåstad

Lindab LtdGreat Britain

Lindab Ventilation ABBåstad

Lindab Profil ABBåstad

Lindab VM ABBåstad

Lindab Int. Holding B.V.The Netherlands

Ventilation

Business Area

Roofing/wall systems Sales company Real estate companies

Lindab A/SNorway

Lindab Nord ABBoliden

Scandev Properties LtdGreat Britain

Spiro International S.A.Switzerland

Lindab Steel ABBåstad

Lindab Inc.USA

Lindab Holding A/SDenmark

Lindab GmbHGermany

Lindab S.A.France

Lindab Sp. z.o.o.Poland

Lindab Nova S.A.Spain

Lindab Kft.Hungary

Lindab S.p.A.Italy

1992

lindab 1959 - 2009

In 1992, Carl-Gustaf Sondén, Lindab’s Group management and the Board take a number of important strategic decisions that will prove deci-sive for Lindab for many years to come.

1990 - 1999

53

The annual report for the year began with the words “1992 was an eventful year in the history of Lindab”. It is hard to disagree. During the spring – in the midst of a worsening recession par-ticularly in the Nordic region – Lindab’s biggest structural change thus far began. Through several acquisitions, capacity adjustment and a streamlining of the strategy, Lindab strengthened its posi-tion as market leader. Sales increased, despite the recession, but profits deteriorated.

The markets in Sweden, Finland and Britain continued to fall away, while Norway, Germany and most other markets devel-oped well despite everything. In Poland and the USA, new sub-sidiaries were formed and the one-year old company in Hungary completed its introductory phase in 1992.

In the early summer of 1992, parts of Lindab’s organisation were preparing for a number of expected structural acquisitions. These acquisition activities played an important part in defend-ing Lindab’s sales at a time when many of our markets were in recession. On 1 May, Lindab acquired the ventilation company Rannila A/S on Jutland, transferring the manufacturing to the fac-tory in Haderslev. Rannila’s facilities in Jels are then made into the center of business area roofing/wall systems Danish operations. On 1 July, Stifab Plåt AB in Boliden is acquired. Their manu-facturing of duct systems is transferred to Lindab Nord whose operations are moved from Lycksele to Boliden. Their focus now becomes rectangular ducting since all circular are moved to the Grevie factory. The very same day, the wholesaler Plåtluna AB and roof drainage manufacturer Plånyl AB were also acquired. Parts of Plåtluna were incorporated into Lindab VM, and during the next six months Plånyl’s operations were moved to Förslöv. 1 September, the Swiss publicly listed company Spiro International was finally acquired. Spiro’s production of duct components was gradually moved to Grevie and Haderslev, and with the new machine programme, Lindab could offer a new partnership con-cept for partners who wanted to buy both machinery and parts. In 1965, Lindab purchased the first Tubeformer, now it bought the entire company. The circle was complete.

The events regarding the start up in Hungary deserve a slight digression. Following his training period, Peter Andsberg had got a good grip of Lindab’s activities and the decision was taken that Lindab would make its Hungary introduction proper at a construction fair in Budapest. Large enticing adverts with 49 % introductory discounts created lengthy queues to the stand and order after order was taken during the ten days of the fair. All customers left deposits, and when the fair was over, more than SEK 400,000 of Plåtisol and Lindab Tile Effect Roofing had been sold.

Inadequate phone lines made faxing the orders to Förslöv impossible. Peter had to read all the orders over the telephone and when the deliveries reached the hired outdoor storage a few weeks later, not only had the letters of all the Hungarian names been wrongly spelled, a heavy downpour the previous day had dissolved the ink on the packaging labels and making them virtually illegible. The irritation among the customers who had gathered to collect their deliveries quickly almost threatened to spill over. Peter asked his assistants to go and buy “a ton of Wienerschnitzel, french fries and 5 containers of red wine”, upon which he cheerfully declared “let’s all have a spot of lunch”. The food and wine rapidly cooled things down, and with everybody full and content, all the packages were calmly identified and the satisfied customers returned home happily with their new Lindab products. On 17 October, Lindab’s 1,200 m2 factory in Biatorbágy outside Budapest was officially opened, marking the beginning of the expansion into the CEE.

In 1993 there was an economic recovery with increased sales and improved profits. A new subsidiary was formed in the Czech Republic, where along with Poland and Hungary, there was a strong growth in sales.

Biggest structural change so far


Lindab’s biggest structural change so far

Subsidiary Lindab Inc. formed in the USA

Subsidiary Lindab Sp. z.o.o. formed in Poland

Stifab Plåt AB acquired into Lindab Nord

Plåtluna AB acquired and partly incorporated into Lindab VM

Plånyl AB acquired into Lindab Profil

Rannila A/S acquired and incorporated into Lindab Ventilation A/S

Spiro International acquired and production of components moved to Grevie and Haderslev

Factory in Biatorbágy, Hungary opens


Sales develop strongly in CEE

Improved economic situation following 1992’s restructuring

Subsidiary Lindab s.r.o. formed in Czech Republic

lindab

1994

lindablindab 1959 - 2009

Budapest’s new banknote printworks is one of thousands of buildings in the CEE to receive new roofing and guttering from Lindab.

55

1990 - 1999

Further growth in CEEThe delivery of 5,000 m2 of Lindab Tile Effect Roofing and Plåtisol roof drainage to the renovated banknote printworks in Budapest signaled not only the large volume increases in Hungary and the CEE, but were also be seen as a good illustration that Lindab was having its best year in the Group’s history thus far. The roof-ing/wall systems business area changed its name to the Profile business area.

Steel was increasingly highlighted as a material with con-stantly improving quality and with a natural and environmentally friendly life cycle. As environmental matters came increasingly into focus, work to adapt the major production units to the ISO 14000 environmental certification system got underway. The majority of these units were already certified under the ISO 9001 or 9002 quality assurance systems, which also contributed to Lindab being seen as an increasingly safer and more secure business partner and supplier.

Lindab’s early toe hold in markets such as Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic not only gave good sales volumes, it also provided a unique opportunity for Lindab to influence the local building standards that were starting to be established. In Romania another new subsidiary was formed, also within the Profile business area. A new 5,000 m2 production hall in Förslöv producing profiled sheeting reduced delivery times.

Many of the new contacts being created in the CEE consisted of small businesses whose owners had previously worked for one of the state companies that went bankrupt after the collapse of communism. These companies would become fundamentally important for future developments in CEE and, together with Lindab, they soon grew ever larger.

The Ventilation business area was also witnessing increased activity across Europe and the more stringent demands on the indoor environment was seen to strengthen the business area’s position, especially in Western Europe. In Europe, Sweden and Denmark continued to lead the way in terms of standards for ven-tilation, and the new Danish standard DS 474 and the Swedish government’s initiatives within improved indoor climate in public places was reflected in the order books.

In 1995, positive growth continued with the Nordic region and Germany as the Group’s geographical focus, but CEE was now described as the significant future growth market. A sales office was opened in Croatia, and in Poland and the Czech Republic, the manufacturing capacity was expanded.


CEE sales continue to grow

Roofing/wall system becomes Profile

Environmental certification according to ISO 14000 of the larger production units begins and certifica-tion according to ISO 9001 and 9002 quality assur-ance systems follow shortly afterwards

Subsidiary Lindab Constructii SRL formed in Romania

New production hall for profiled sheeting in Förslöv


CEE and the USA are identified as growth markets

Sales office opens in Croatia

Increased production capacity in Poland and Czech Republic

Lindab’s slotted exterior wall studs provided a better U-value than timber studs. Straight, factory created lengths and the beginning of a more industrial construction intensi-fied the interest in Lindab’s exterior wall studs.

Our most “bacteria-free” delivery was probably the stainless duct system delivered to the National Bacteriological Institute’s high-risk laboratory. “Not one molecule is allowed, whether they have been invited or not.”

lindab 1959 - 2009

1996 Peter Andsberg, Lindab’s CEE manager, and Hans Larsson, responsible for lightweight con-struction technology at Lindab explain and talk about all the benefits of technology to a group of visiting Romanian contractors.

57

1990 - 1999

Lightweight construction gathers momentumDespite a declining overall market for ventilation products in Sweden, the Ventilation business area strengthened its position in the domestic market resulting in increased market shares. The Lindab Safe product range was continually growing and dur-ing the year, a stainless steel version was added which satisfied increasing demands on hygiene within for example the pharma-ceutical and food industries. Rectangular silencers with circular connections were launched and Lindab’s range of easily assem-bled and tighter duct systems gained ground in many markets.

The acquisition of ventilation company, Ventlandia Oy in Finland, increased the share of the market in Finland as well as exports to Eastern Europe. The acquisition of Swiss machine producer Suter AG’s machine division, as well as the purchase of patents and “know-how” from Spiral-Helix Inc. gave Lindab a world leading position as manufacturer and supplier of Spiro machines and other equipment for the manufacture of circular duct systems. In the rectangular USA market, Lindab Inc. contin-ued in its efforts to convince about the advantages of the circular systems and sales climbed.

The CEE’s growth remained strong and the Profile business area noted successful sales in all of its operational markets. New European standards were adopted for guttering, downpipes and brackets, paving the way for Lindab’s roof drainage system into new markets.

Within the area that had come to be known as lightweight construction technology, more and more was starting to hap-pen. In the USA 80,000 houses were built using this sound, easily assembled technology. In Sweden the Swedish Institute of Steel Construction placed the issue high on its agenda and Lindab was launching new products in the area all the time. It had been noted that future residential customers needed better soundproofing and Lindab presented a new acoustic partition wall stud with a very good sound insulation properties. Besides that, the first CAD programmes for integrated project planning and production start-ed to arrive. Lindab was a part of these new development that would soon lead to a long-awaited improvement in the efficiency and quality of the construction process.


Strengthening market share for Ventilation in Sweden

Continued strong growth for Profile in the CEE

New European standard for roof drainage introduced

Lightweight construction technology now advancing strongly

Finnish ventilation company Ventlandia Oy acquired

Swiss machine producer Suter AG’s machinery production acquired

Patents and “know-how” acquired from Spiral-Helix

Stainless steel Lindab Safe launched

Rectangular silencers with circular connections are launched

New improved acoustic stud launched

Prefabricated roof sections constructed using Lindab’s new lightweight construction technology is lifted into place at the Nightingale block in Ängelholm. A quicker, more efficient and drier construction proc-ess was making its introduction.

Our smallest delivery was Lindab Tile Effect Roofing for Fido’s kennel.His master chose red and could be con-tent with a single sheet.

lindab 1959 - 2009

1997 Production of the new Rainline product range with its smart snap-lock got underway.

59

1990 - 1999At the beginning of the 1980s, Lindab introduced a range of new products and solutions in its roof drainage programme. After a decade of relatively modest development within this field, it was time once again for some major product development. Since simpler assembly had become an increasingly important ingredi-ent in Lindab’s solutions, it also spearheaded the development of the new Rainline concept launched at the Nordbygg fair the following year. Hooks, pipe holders and covers were now fitted with a snap-lock making assembly “so simple that anyone can fit them”, as one of the visitors to Lindab’s stand put it.

Within lightweight construction technology, Lindab also launched some interesting “soft” innovations, namely IT soft-ware for the project planning of roofing beams and construction, making life for the building contractor and designer much easier. Within the Ventilation business area there was perhaps an even more interesting turn of events when Lindab acquired a software company specialising in user-friendly and smart CAD software for the design of duct systems. The future IT programme, Lindab CADvent would soon come to make a major impact.

1997 was also the year in which both business areas had a pres-ence in the CEE markets for the first time. In Poland and the Czech Republic, production and marketing began of the Group’s ventilation products and across the Atlantic – in the USA – a new factory went into operation doubling the production capacity there. In addition, a new modern duct manufacturing facility was opened in Grevie.

Lindab’s marketing increasingly highlighted the advantages of circular duct systems. This was in order to speed up the switch from the more material intensive, hard to assemble and inefficient rectangular systems.

New subsidiaries were started in St. Petersburg, Russia and in Zagreb, Croatia. By now, Lindab had a presence in 101 loca-tions in 18 countries with it own subsidiaries, factories, branches and sales offices.

Lindab’s share of sales outside the Nordic region and Western Europe was now increasing year after year. Previous year in brackets.

“Snäppet” became the nickname for Lindab’s new roof drainage concept Rainline, where many of the components could easily be “snapped” into place along the guttering and pipes.

Rainline and IT simplify


The Rainline concept ready for launch

IT software for lightweight construction is launched

Software company acquired and IT software VentCAD launched

Subsidiary ZAO Lindab formed in Russia

Subsidiary Lindab d.o.o. formed in Croatia

New factory for Ventilation built in Poland and Czech Republic

Ventilation business area now present in CEE

Factory in USA doubles its capacity

New modernised facility for duct production opens in Grevie

Sweden 27 % (32)

Denmark 16 % (17)

Norway 12 % (11)

Germany 14 % (14)

CEE 11 % (9)

Other countries 20 % (17)

lindab 1959 - 2009

1998 Lindab’s new IT tools play an increasingly impor-tant role in the industrialisation of the building process. Quicker, safer, more secure and more economical are convincing arguments.

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Training on how best to fit and use Lindab’s product for an efficient installation became an important part of efforts in the CEE and the rest of Europe.

All relationship-building, all the marketing and all the training ini-tiative in Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic and other CEE markets were now yielding hefty dividend. During 1998, sales in the CEE reached over half a billion SEK and the region was des-ignated a priority market.

When Peter Andsberg planted the first Lindab flag in Hungary in 1991, he said a small prayer every night asking that Lindab’s sales there would one day reach SEK 40 million. That was the same as the sales for the then largest branch in Sweden, Lindab VM in Jönköping. His prayers were answered.

Sales offices opened in Kiev, Ukraine; Talinn, Estonia and in Sarajevo. The Russian Group company was closed however due to difficulties in effectively operating the business during the 1998 crisis there. Instead, deliveries to Russia would be made as direct deliveries to customers and to new partners with Swedish inter-ests that had a presence in Russia.

In 1998, Lindab’s IT centre was established for development, support and training of the new Lindab range of tools for design, quantifying and calculation that was starting to emerge. In par-ticular, development continued of the VentCAD tool, which would soon to be renamed CADvent.

During the year, Lindab Safe would be categorised as tight-ness class D, far beyond what a non-rubber sealed installation achieved, enabling Lindab’s flagship within duct systems to pro-nounce its energy saving credentials and top the league in terms of airtightness. Lindab Comfort launched a new diffuser with individually adjustable nozzles allowing distribution patterns to be adapted to the room’s requirements. Comfortable indoor climate was increasingly nearing reality.

At Lindab in Grevie, improvement ideas from all staff mem-bers were thriving and Lindab Ventilation was named Sweden’s most innovative company with Lindab Steel in a very respectable 3rd place. The commitment and participation which was forged by Lage Lindh remained as strong as ever, resulting in improve-ments and saving millions.

Past the half-billion mark in CEE


Sales in the CEE reach SEK 500 m

Lindab establishes its own IT centre and invests in the development of new IT tools for both ventilation and lightweight construction

Lindab Safe, certified in tightness class D, is the market’s leader for tightness and energy efficiency

Lindab Comfort launches adjustable diffusers

Lindab Ventilation in Grevie is named Sweden’s most innovative company

Sales office opens in Belgium

Sales office opens in Ukraine

Sales office opens in Estonia

Sales office opens in Sarajevo

The facilities at Lindab Steel, Lindab Denmark and Lindab Helsinki are extended

1999

lindab 1959 - 2009

What You See Is What You Get – Lindab’s new IT tools increases quality and security in project planning.

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1990 - 1999In 1999 Lindab IT line was launched, a product range and tool-box filled with IT tools for designing, quantifying, and analysis. Ventilation installers and consultants now had access to pro-grammes such as CADvent, DIMcomfort and DIMsilencer and were able to draw and design duct systems quickly and easily, adding diffusers and silencers, and even calculating the pres-sure loss and sound levels. Building contractors and designers could plan and design more and more lightweight construction solutions through Lindab’s new IT initiatives. With everything in 3D and product dimensions and parameters downloadable from Lindab’s product database, everything that could be drawn could be installed. WYSIWYG – What You See Is What You Get – had reached Lindab.

Lindab’s customers continued to be tinsmiths, builders, DIY customers and ventilation installers, but through the promo-tion of new IT tools, Lindab’s sales teams could increase their efforts towards what are known as the prescribers – consultants, designers and architects. These are the professionals who design and draw factories and buildings and through their involvement at early stages in the process, could increase Lindab’s chances of having its products recommended. Lindab’s efforts with these new IT tools contribute to increased industrialisation and mod-ernisation of building processes.

In Farum, a major expansion of Lindab’s audio laboratory was made, with the facility becoming one of the leaders in its field. The number of full scale experiments here increased, something that would have a clear impact on the increased sales of Lindab’s various Comfort solutions.

During the year, the Profile business area launched a new garage door, the new, easily assembled roof programme Topline Handy and a new improved acoustic stud, RdB. The continuous pace of innovation was validated by the 30 patents filed that year.

The Ventilation business unit was introduced in Hungary and Lindab increasingly spread its preengineered, efficient and envi-ronmentally friendly product solutions. In Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, the UK and the USA, the business area completed five important acquisitions that strengthened both the distribution network and the product range.

Within both business areas, Lindab continued to lead the industrialisation of the branches which had previously been done “by hand” and Carl-Gustaf Sondén saw how the strategy of “being close to the customer and putting him in the centre” was just as true as ever. Lindab’s simplifying construction continued tirelessly.

Lindab goes WYSIWYG

The substantially expanded acoustics laboratory in Farum provided the conditions for advanced prod-uct development, but also the perfect opportunity for sales-driven full-scale experiments.


Lindab IT line launched with CADvent, DIMcomfort, DIMsilencer and DIMhood

Initiatives aimed at prescribers – consultants, designers and architects – intensifies

The acoustic laboratory in Farum is extended to become one of the leaders in its field

New garage door launched

Lindab Topline Handy, easily mounted roof profile, is launched

RdB, new acoustic stud, is launched

Ventilation business area introduced in Hungary

Company acquisitions in five countries strengthens Ventilation

Subsidiary Lindab Door formed in the Netherlands

Lindab Doorline was the new anti-crush and well insulated garage door from Lindab.

Our most misunderstood delivery was the first delivery of Lindab Safe to an installer in England. The installer did not quite understand what the double rubber seal was for, pulling it off all the components to reveal a great “track” to put glue along. After some instructions from Lindab, however, the Englishman decided that the products was very much his “cup of tea”.

2000

lindab 1959 - 2009

A satisfied CEO, Carl-Gustaf Sondén, is delighted with Lindab’s record growth. A result of a very successful business model and a constant focus on customer needs.

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2000 - 2008


Sales growth breaks record…….as do steel prices, which rise steeply

Lindab’s business model is an important explanation behind the success

Sales office opens in Lithuania

Scandab acquired

Sheet metal group Folkebolagen acquired

New roof and wall profiles through Borga Plåt

Investment in training and skills development

During 2000 Lindab’s growth reached record levels, totaling 24 %, and distributed across nearly all of the Group’s markets. Another record set during the year was the increase in the prices of sheet metal, which had no historical precedent.

Since the introduction to the stock market in 1984, Lindab had increased its sales ten fold. For Lindab and Carl-Gustaf Sondén, this success was no accident but the result of “our busi-ness model and our control over all the processes”. Coordinated purchasing, together with production tools that could be centrally automated adapted locally made Lindab competitive and gave customers attractive solutions. By managing the majority of its own distribution, Lindab achieved greater proximity to the cus-tomer both in terms of service delivery and feedback. This in turn provided inspiration for continuous, strong product development, something that Lindab was becoming increasingly well-known for.

During the year, the Group acquired the Swedish company Scandab, which works with product solutions for dust and pow-der management within the industry and through the acquisition

of the Swedish company Folkebolagen, the Group broadened its steel service centre. At the same time, the range of roof and wall profiles was expanded through Folkebolagen’s subsidiary, Borga Plåt, which was soon renamed Lindab Plåt. Both acquisitions extended Lindab’s contact with the industry, while these new subsidiaries had the opportunity to exploit Lindab’s entire distri-bution network.

A new trainee-programme was launched and an initiative to start skills training was introduced in the Swedish business, while health work continued. Lage Lindh had already seen high product quality as a result of talented employees and their skills and well-being. It remains a fundamental Lindab principle, and is something that creates the commitment, entrepreneurship and a sense of responsibility, which important prerequisites for meeting the expectations of a growing customer base.

Record – for both growth and steel prices

To the mall Lindab delivered a Lindab Safe System to Fisketorvet in Copenhagen containing 100 shops and Denmark’s largest cinema with seating for 3,200. Furthermore, was fully drawn and designed in the self-developed CADvent programme.

Lindab’s lightweight construction technology was becoming increasingly prominent and used for the annexes at Gardermoen in Norway, Kastrup in Denmark and Arlanda in Sweden.

2001

lindab 1959 - 2009

With the acquisition of TeknoTerm, solutions were added to Lindab’s range of leading indoor climate technology.

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2000 - 20082001 will forever be associated with the September 11 tragedy, something which left clear marks in the world’s economy that autumn.

From Lindab’s perspective, there were two major events that made an impression. The first was the acquisition of the indoor climate company TeknoTerm AB, something which advanced Lindab’s position within ventilation and indoor climate significantly.

The second was the fact that the group of owners compris-ing Lindab Intressenter AB, consisting of Ratos, Skandia, the 6th AP Fund, together with Carl-Gustaf Sondén and Hans Schmidt-Hansen, acquired more than 90 % of Lindab shares and, in the autumn, delisted Lindab from the stock exchanges in Stockholm and Copenhagen. The owners and corporate management saw opportunities for continued rapid growth in certain geographic areas, something that was assessed to be best achieved out-side of the stock exchange. During the autumn, a major review of Lindab’s vision, strategy and organization was initiated, which was finalized in 2002.

In 2001, Spiral-Helix Inc. was also acquired thereby com-plementing Lindab’s machine operations in the subsidiary Spiro International, but from a customer perspective, it was primarily the acquisition of TeknoTerm which made the bigger impact.

It gave Lindab a new level of expertise in indoor environment and the potential to offer complete systems that integrate Lindab’s well-known ventilation technology with the most modern indoor climate systems. TeknoTerm’s self-developed range of chilled beams, facade systems and ceiling heaters provided unique solu-tions for the distribution of both warm and cold air in the room, which was based on waterborne technology without moving parts. In parallel to this, the Swedish sales organization within both Ventilation and Climate strengthened its technical com-petence significantly. The addition of TeknoTerm’s sales team thereby increased the possibility to work more intensively with prescribers. TeknoTerm’s own IT solutions were also integrated with Lindab’s programme portfolio, Lindab IT-line.

The continued strong growth in Romania led to a new sales and production facility opening its doors in Bucharest.

Delisting and raising skill levels

Plafond chilled beam was one of the new products that made Lindab Comfort’s product range even stronger. Now Lindab’s products spread air that was not only fresh, it could also be locally chilled or heated.


The group of owners, Lindab Intressenter, takes over the ownership and delists Lindab from the stock exchanges in Stockholm and Copenhagen

A review of Lindab’s vision, strategy and organi-sation begins in the autumn

Machine producer Spiral-Helix acquired

Indoor climate company TeknoTerm acquired, significantly reinforcing Lindab’s skills and prod-uct range within indoor climate

The sales organisation within the Ventilation busi-ness area is strengthened

New facility opens in Bucharest, Romania

Lindab Romania opened a new sales and production centre in Bucharest, improving the service, delivery times and range for its customers.

Our longest delivery timewise was the delivery of circular duct systems to the Pentagon military complex in Washington, beginning in 2002. It would take several more years to complete. Even now, in 2009, deliveries are ongoing.

2002

lindab 1959 - 2009

The acquisition of Butler Europe gives Lindab a third leg to stand on – preengineered steel building systems – for every type of commercial construction.

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2000 - 2008

Reorganization into two business areasA great deal happened in 2002. The Group was reorganized into two business areas, Ventilation and Profile, instead of geographi-cally as had been the case previously. The work also led to the most detailed business plans in Lindab’s history, with profitable growth as the principle consideration. The new organisation of the business areas now gave Lindab’s products better opportuni-ties to reach all of the Group’s 25 established markets, with less risk of becoming “trapped” in the country where the development had taken place.

The duct system product area was given the new name Air Distribution and together with Rainline, these were subsequently defined as the Group’s two core businesses. Anders Persson took over as the business area manager for Profile and Johan Bergkvist as business area manager for Ventilation.

Since the acquisition of Meko in the mid-80s, Lindab had held onto its range of products. Butler Europe in Hungary was then acquired, a major European player in preengineered steel buildings for commercial and public use. Lindab already had a partnership with Butler Europe since they purchased profiled sheeting, lightweight construction products and other materials for their business from Lindab Hungary. Activities within the field

of steel buildings were escalating, giving Lindab the opportunity to offer complete systems solutions within the Profile business area. At the end of the year, Butler Europe’s name was changed to Lindab Butler.

Another important event was the launch of the new High Built Polyester coating system for the Rainline and Coverline pro-grammes. HB Polyester not only provides customers and home-owners with better colour and aging properties, it is also an envi-ronmentally friendly alternative since PVC is eliminated.

Within the Ventilation business area, the Architect supply air beam and the Carat chilled beam were also launched. Both met with positive reactions from both installers and prescribers, and was the result of the previous year’s acquisition of TeknoTerm.

In Poland, Lindab opened a new training centre while the use of CADvent and several other IT solutions from Lindab stimulated sales. In Holland, the ventilation distributor Inatherm was acquired, strengthening Lindab’s distribution network in the region. Within the CEE, a number of new sales offices were opened.

At Scandinavia’s biggest hotel, Gothia Towers in Gothenburg, the guests and staff can enjoy a comfortable indoor climate courtesy of Lindab.


New organisation divided into business areas from 1 March

Principle aim is profitable growth

Lindab’s product groups given new names

Roof drainage becomes Rainline

Roof/wall cladding, standing seam becomes Coverline

Lightweight construction technology becomes Construline

Doors becomes Doorline

Halls and steel buildings becomes Systemline

Duct systems becomes Air Distribution

Comfort becomes Indoor Climate

Air Distribution and Rainline are designated the Group’s core businesses

Anders Persson and Johan Bergkvist are named business area managers for Profile and Ventilation

The building system company Butler Europe in Hungary is acquired, considerably strengthening Lindab’s position in building systems

Ventilation distributor Inatherm, Holland acquired

The new HB Polyester coating system is intro-duced within Rainline, Coverline and Seamline

Architect supply air beam and Carat chilled beam launched

Sales office opened in Moscow, Russia

Sales office opened in Bratislava, Slovakia

Sales office opened in Sofia, Bulgaria

The Media centre at Rock City in Hultsfred was built effectively with the help of a number of Lindab product systems: Construline, Coverline, Rainline and Air Distribution.

High Built Polyester introduced as the new, durable and environmentally friendly colour system for Coverline and Rainline.

2003

lindab 1959 - 2009

Newly appointed CEO Kjell Åkesson places imme-diate focus on profitable growth and promptly initi-ates a number of important measures.

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2000 - 2008On 1 January 2003, after 36 years at Lindab, Carl-Gustaf Sondén stepped down from his post as President and CEO. “Straightforward, frank and clear”, “never hesitant and always up to date”, were the remarks often heard about “CG” when employ-ees described how he ran Lindab. “The one who put Lindab clearly on the international map as a leading player within solu-tions for ventilation and construction”, is also a good summary of his dedicated work to reach more and more markets in the CEE and regions in the USA.

Kjell Åkesson, formerly the CEO of Bilia with lengthy expe-rience of Swedish and international industry, now took a very firm grasp of Lindab’s helm as President and CEO. “We must retain our Lindab culture of entrepreneurship and enthusiasm at the centre, we must make our new organisation efficient and we must ensure profitable growth.” The year began with mar-ket development that was worse than expected. Early on, Kjell Åkesson gathered together 70 managers from across the Lindab universe and immediately launched the new profitability pro-gramme, “Fill the Gap”, to replace the volume and profitability that had been lost at the start of the year. This became an important milestone for the work within Lindab and helped to increase the focus on creating customer value and profitable activities. Positive developments in the markets in the CEE together with inten-sive work using Fill the Gap meant that the budget target was achieved despite everything.

During the year, a decision was made regarding Lindab’s largest investment ever. A new Central European production facility was built outside Prague in the Czech Republic to where labour inten-sive products would be gradually moved. Increased proximity to customers had always one of Lindab’s guiding principles and the new factory at Karlovarska meant that deliveries to the growing ventilation market in CEE and Southern Europe could be made faster and more efficiently.

Lindab Butler was by now practically integrated into the business and the acquisitions of ventilation company FEA in Switzerland and Bravida in Denmark strengthened both the prod-uct range and production structure. During this time, the impor-tant work to make Lindab’s Air Distribution and Indoor Climate products available for the entire European market got underway.

Outside Malmö, in Bunkeflostrand, Sweden’s largest residen-tial project began: an industrial modular construction of approxi-mately 2,500 apartments, all using Lindab Construline as a cen-tral part.

2003 was also the year in which a decision was taken to clarify the Lindab brand and to define the increasingly popular concept of its core values. The outcome was “Simplifying con-struction”, “Down to earth” and “Neatness and order”, and both customers, employees, new and old, fully and immediately identi-fied with these. The legacy of Lage Lindh was alive and well.

Fill the Gap and return of the former core values

To quickly get the entire organi-zation on-board in the new direc-tion was of great importance for the new CEO Kjell Åkesson.

The new Central European factory moved parts of the production closer to the CEE.

Simplifying constructionDown to earthNeatness and order

Lindab defines its core values which everyone can identify with.


Carl-Gustaf Sondén leaves Lindab’s management but remains on the board

Kjell Åkesson becomes the new President and CEO on 1 January

Fill the Gap profitability programme is launched

Lindab makes its biggest ever investment by building a new Central European factory outside Prague in the Czech Republic

Lindab’s core values are enshrined

FEA in Switzerland is acquired

Bravida in Denmark is acquired

Galvanising operations are divested

Adaptation of the Ventilation business area’s products for the European market begins

Subsidiary Lindab SIA formed in Latvia

2004

lindab 1959 - 2009

Roofing contractors, tinsmiths and dealers in Hungary are delighted by Lindab’s continued investments.

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The Architect Moon supply air beam wins the Premio Comfort & Design award in Italy.

The “Rainline Concept” campaign created good sales figures in Hungary, with Lindab plus approximately 400 enthusiastic deal-ers and Rainline ambassadors welcoming the results. Following its success, Lindab Romania was named “Lindab Company of the Year” and sales in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Russia and Ukraine also remained on track. Continuous training initiatives, plus strengthened and deepened relationships with both dealers and contractors were some of the reasons behind the continued success in the CEE. Rainline was by now the leading roof drain-age system both in the Nordic countries and in the CEE.

In Moscow, Profile opened a new representative office, and on 1 March Peter Andsberg was appointed the business area manager for Profile. This was perhaps not a totally unexpected appointment having succeeded so well in establishing Lindab as a billion kronor business in the CEE.

The Ventilation business area launched Lindab’s biggest ever marketing campaign with the presentation of “The Round Solution”. The goal was to use the claims of “tighter, faster, sim-pler and more economical” to speed up the transition from tradi-tional duct types to Lindab’s circular, rubber-sealed Lindab Safe system.

The new Pilot chilled beam was launched and in Italy, the Architect Moon supply air beam won the prestigious Premio Comfort & Design award.

The factory in Karlovarska was already at full speed and, less than a year after its opening, had contributed to a number of positive effects. Faster delivery times and more cost-effective logistics were just some of the benefits that gave customers a simpler daily routine.

Kjell Åkesson introduced the new Lindab Lifestyle internal programme, with the purpose of increasing business acumen among senior executives. With better business skills, both Lindab and its customers can strengthen their operations.

Lindab was enjoying its best performance ever, with skills and product development that was focused on simplifying con-struction was high on the agenda. At Lindab’s skills centres in Grevie, Förslöv and Haderslev, efforts were being intensified to roll-out new, market adapted products and system solutions.

When product development is based on market needs, it results in truly pow-erful solutions.

The Round Solution would stimulate sales of Lindab Safe in traditional markets.

Strong products provide strong development


Sales in the CEE pass one billion SEK

Lindab Romania is named “Lindab Company of the Year”

Rainline is now the leading roof drainage system in the Nordic countries and the CEE

Profile launches the “Rainline Concept” cam-paign at 400 retailers in Hungary

Profile opens a new representative office in Moscow

Peter Andsberg is appointed the new business area manager for Profile on 1 March

Ventilation launches “The Round Solution” cam-paign aimed primarily at “rectangular” markets

Pilot chilled beam launched

Architect Moon supply air beam wins Italian design award

The Lindab Lifestyle skills programme is introduced

Our highest delivery was for approx-imately 100 Fasadium facade appli-ances that are now in use in Malmö’s 192 metre high Turning Torso building.

2005

lindab 1959 - 2009

David Brodetsky (3rd from right), Managing Director of Astron Buildings, together with the management at Luxembourg based Astron Buildings.

2000 - 2008

75

Added steel building power with AstronThe biggest deal and event of the year was undoubtedly the acquisition of Astron Buildings S.A., Europe’s leading company within preengineered steel buildings. Together with the earlier acquisition of Butler Europe, this act made Lindab into Europe’s market leading company within the area.

By then, Astron had more than 40 years experience in the development and construction of preengineered steel buildings in the form of industrial halls, warehouses and offices and was the undisputed market leader. Lindab’s existing network of dealers‚ Builders, now expanded significantly and without any real overlap covered Western Europe and key parts of the CEE, while Astron’s product range and building solutions provided Lindab with a new strength.

The two business areas were subsequently separated into divisions. Profile was divided between Building Systems and Building Components, and Ventilation was split into Air Duct Systems and Comfort. At the same time, Building Systems was designated the third core business alongside Rainline and Air Duct Systems.

Hannu Paitula, who had already been appointed business area manager for Ventilation on 1 January, accelerated these divi-sions, and initiated the concentration of Comfort’s activities to Farum where the product development and marketing of diffus-ers and beams was now assembled. Hannu Paitula also steered

the business increasingly towards customer focus and the devel-opment of tools that allows customers to work more efficiently. Two years after this development was started, it would bring about a minor revolution in the ventilation industry.

2005 was also the year of the product launches. The tran-sition to HB Polyester had now been completed and the PVC based Plastisol was finally put to rest. Profile launched its incred-ibly powerful IT software, ADT Tools, giving construction design-ers unprecedented possibilities to streamline the entire chain from project planning to assembly. Using ADT Tools, each section can be individually drawn. The drawing then forms the basis for the production and manufacture, and a kit marked up by section can be delivered to the construction site, complete with the construc-tion drawings as well as factory-made studs and beams. The Ventilation business area launched a host of new diffusers and beams; the Celo cooling system, the Fusion chilled beam and the Facilis modular diffuser. Everything could then be dimensioned using the new improved version of DIMcomfort.

Finally, Profile unveiled its new campaign “Give your house a facelift”, clearly showing what a good roof drainage system can do for a property’s appearance.

The acquisition of Astron Buildings makes Lindab the European market leader within preengineered steel construction systems.


Astron Buildings S.A. acquired making Lindab the European market leader within preengineered steel buildings

The Profile business area is divided into the Building Systems and Building Components divisions

The Ventilation business area is divided into the Air Duct Systems and Comfort divisions

Hannu Paitula is appointed the new business area manager for Ventilation on 1 January

Comfort’s product development and marketing is concentrated at Farum

The ADT Tools design programme is launched

The Celo cooling system, the Fusion chilled beam and modular diffuser Facilis are launched

Profile launches the “Give your house a facelift” campaign in several markets

Fusion is one of several exciting products launched by the Comfort division.

2006

lindab 1959 - 2009

On 1 December, Lindab’s Chairman Svend Holst-Nielsen and CEO Kjell Åkesson happily announce Lindab’s return to the OMX stock exchange in Stockholm.

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Partnership is a new concept giv-ing the ventilation customer improved overall economy. Sydtotal becomes the first Partnership customer.

CCL Veloduct is acquired immediately turning the UK into Lindab’s biggest single ventilation market.

“Many innovative products for simplifying construction. Extremely good market coverage in the Nordic region, Western Europe and in the growth markets in the CEE/CIS. Good geographi-cal spread of production resources, high automation levels with labour-intensive production in low-cost countries and a very productive corporate culture.” That is how CEO Kjell Åkesson summarised Lindab’s strengths prior to its reintroduction to the stock exchange. This was realised on 1 December when Lindab returned to the Stockholm Stock Exchange following a 5 year hiatus.

Up to this point of the year however, a good number of other events had occurred. The positive construction market led to a recovery in Western Europe and continued good growth in the Nordic region and the CEE.

Three acquisitions were completed during the year, all within Ventilation: CCL Veloduct Ltd. in the UK, Airbat S.A.S. in France and Gowco Texas in the USA. Of these three, CCL Veloduct was undoubtedly the most significant. The company was Britain’s leading distributor of ventilation products, with an extensive branch network, thus making Great Britain Lindab’s single largest ventilation market overnight. Together with the installation com-pany Sydtotal, a pilot project was undertaken that would result in

a completely new form of cooperation – the Lindab Partnership. By fully utilising Lindab’s IT support, product range and technical support, a Partnership customer can reduce their overall costs within project planning, tendering, ordering, delivery and installa-tion by between 5 and 10 %.

The integration of Astron had gone as smoothly as expected and the rapid harmonisation led to rapid growth of Building Systems, especially in the CEE. Since the growth there and in Russia was expected to continued to develop well, a decision was taken to construct a new Building Systems factory outside Moscow. Early in the year, a decision was also made to build a new ventilation factory in St. Petersburg, starting immediately. The pattern would follow Lindab’s classic expansion strategy; build up sales first and once the foundations have been laid, production resources would then be established.

In 2006, Lindab changed its company pledge to “We simplify the construction”, something that captures the full essence of the company. Lindab’s presence, with high levels of service plus the market’s widest and most developed product range serving 1,700 distributors throughout Europe provided firm evidence of this claim.

Lindab returns to the stock exchange

Lindab’s new central advertising campaign “We simplify construc-tion” strengthens brand recognition.


Lindab shares are floated on the Stockholm Stock Exchange on 1 December

Decision taken to establish a Building Systems factory outside Moscow, Russia

Construction of a ventilation factory in St. Petersburg, Russia commences

“We simplify construction” becomes Lindab’s new company promise

The Ventilation company, CCL Veloduct in the UK is acquired

The Ventilation company Airbat in France is acquired

The Ventilation company Gowco Texas in the USA is acquired

The Ventilation business area launches the Lindab Partnership

Versio, the new generation of diffuser is launched

2007

lindab 1959 - 2009

On Lindab’s stand at the ISH fair in Frankfurt, the new Lindab Safe Click duct system was unveiled along with a number of other important innova-tions from the Ventilation business area.

2000 - 2008

79

Lindab Safe Click launched halving the assembly times for duct installation.

In Sitges, Spain 500 Building Systems dealers gather to share their experiences and to see the latest innova-tions from Astron.

At the ISH fair in Frankfurt, Lindab unveiled a well kept secret – the brand new Lindab Safe Click duct system. Business area manager, Hannu Paitula and head of development Lars-Åke Mattsson, were proud to show off the greatest development step in the duct technology since the 1970s. Through its click-lock function, Lindab Safe Click would halve assembly times, elimi-nate the need for rivets and tools, as well as provide a duct with a completely smooth, easily maintained interior. The new SR Cutter workbench made the cutting of ducts much simpler, quicker and more precise. The reception was very enthusiastic both at ISH and in the markets where Lindab Safe Click was launched. Simplifying construction in practice!

The innovations from Ventilation continued. In the autumn, the newly developed Plexus chilled beam was launched, which with its 360° diffusion set a new standard for comfortable indoor cli-mate and furthermore offered considerably simplified installation. In addition, the Lindab Partnership was launched in more markets.

The ventilation company, Aervent Holdings of Ireland was acquired, providing Lindab with a leading position within distri-bution and a firm grip on this new market. In St. Petersburg, the new ventilation factory was officially opened and deliveries rapidly gained speed.

In Hungary, Profile began high profile production and in Romania, production lines were set up to produce the new partition wall cassettes and lightweight beams. Northeast of Moscow, the construction of the new Building Systems factory in Yaroslavl entered a more active phase and in Sitges outside Barcelona in Spain, approximately 500 Building Systems dealers gathered for a first joint customer conference following Lindab’s acquisitions of Butler Europe and Astron Buildings.

Profile’s “Give your house a facelift” campaign continued, showing what neat roof drainage, cladding, garage doors and other components can do for a house. Efficiency gains from the combination ADT Tools and Lindab’s lightweight construction technology was appreciated by more and more customers Both Rainline and Construline saw encouraging growth in their market shares.

Not only can 2007 be summarised as a new record year, but also the year in which Lindab’s innovations spoke volumes. More would follow.

Safe Click – simplifying construction with a single click

The Plexus chilled beam sets a new standard for both comfortable air distri-bution and simple assembly.


New Lindab Safe Click duct system and the SR Cutter are launched at the ISH fair Frankfurt drawing much attention

The ventilation company Aervent Holdings in Ireland is acquired

The Plexus chilled beam with a 360° diffusion pattern is launched

Lindab Partnership is launched on more markets

The ventilation factory in St. Petersburg is opened

Profile expands the production in Hungary and Romania

500 Building Systems dealers assemble for a customer conference in Spain

Rainline and Construline increase their market shares

lindab 1959 - 2009

2008 The new RdBX stud offers halved assembly times, eliminates the need for cutting and improves ergonomics in a single product. Simplifying construction yet again!

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2000 - 2008

Lindab Comfort now represents Europe’s most modern product range for indoor climate.


New RdBX partition wall stud officially launched at the Nordbygg fair in Stockholm receiving a very positive response

The facade system, Fasadkassett Premium, is launched

Slovak profiled sheeting and roof drainage company Sipog Group is acquired

Finnish profile manufactuer Koto Pelti acquired

Sales office opened in Minsk, Belarus

The Aerodim silencer is launched

Following an intensive period of product devel-opment and launches, Lindab Comfort repre-sents Europe’s most modern range of indoor climate products

The Karlovarska factory is extended by 10,000 m2

Kjell Åkesson retires as CEO and is succeeded by David Brodetsky, then Managing Director of Astron and head of Building Systems

Lindab Arena opens in Ängelholm, Sweden

RdBX – another simple click solutionFollowing the Ventilation business area’s launch of Safe Click, Profile did not want to be left behind. As early as autumn 2007, the stealthy launch began of an entirely newly developed parti-tion wall stud which had three things in common with Safe Click: assembly times were reduced by about 50 %; it was based on a unique click-lock and it would truly simplify construction. The official launch of the RdBX stud, which uses an ingenious click fastener to lock studs to floor and ceiling rails in no time and with-out tools, took place at Nordbygg at the beginning of March. The RdBX stud’s telescopic function is the icing on the cake, allowing the stud length to be adjusted by simply pulling apart or pushing together the two telescopic parts.

Another exciting launch (initially in Denmark) was for Fasad-kassett Premium, a completely new facade system combin-ing tailor-made Scandinavian aesthetics with an IT solution, CASSETTEsoft, which simplifies the entire chain from project planning, and ordering to installation.

During the summer, the Profile business area completed the acquisition of the Slovak Sipog Group, whose product range included of the Rova profiled sheeting range and VIOS roof drain-age. The acquisition immediately made Lindab the market leader in Slovakia within these segments and also strengthened the Group’s position in both Romania and the Czech Republic.

Within the Ventilation business area, developments were also happening quickly. Lindab Safe Click was by now available

in all of Lindab’s markets and the Lindab Partnership had been extended to five markets. At Nordbygg, the completely unique Aerodim acoustic beam was introduced and Lindab Comfort’s product range now represented Europe’s most modern and advanced portfolio for comfortable indoor climates.

Early in the year, CEO Kjell Åkesson announced his intention to retire, leaving Lindab in the late summer. When he left, it followed 21 successive quarters of continually rising sales and improved profits, a highly successful IPO as well as his painstaking and intensive work to strengthen Lindab and its position – “We sim-plify construction”.

At the Annual General Meeting held in the spring, David Brodetsky, who was then Managing Director of Astron Buildings and the head of the Building Systems division, was appointed Lindab’s new CEO.

In parallel with this interesting turn, another fascinating though not altogether pleasant event occurred. The financial crisis made its entrance onto the global scene rapidly producing a financial climate that affected confidence in the financial systems, reduced demand in many areas and undermined confidence. Lindab was built on solid foundations however and declared its ambition to become even stronger during the recession.

2008 sees the opening of the new Lindab Arena hockey stadium, situated some 20 km from Lindab’s head office.

lindab 1959 - 2009

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The Lindab story began 50 years ago with ideas for making the fitting of exterior cladding and windowsills easier. With steel as a base, constantly developing entrepreneurship and committed employees who, from the very outset put the needs of the customer first, we have continued to develop and market solutions for simplifying construction. Customer values such as quality, proximity, service and delivery accuracy have proved to be a successful route towards continuously improving sales and the customer base – in the Nordic countries, Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe as well as the United States.

Lage Lindh’s initial thoughts about neatness and order, a down to earth and straightforward approach, and the devel-opment of smart products and solutions for a simpler construction process is as alive today as it was then.

Our vision today is for Lindab to be the leader in industrialised ventilation and building solutions – Europewide. This vision is a clear expression of our ambition to continue to deliver solutions that improve the building process and that are based on simplicity, efficiency and energy conservation. It also means that we will be the leading innovator in our areas and continue to invest heavily in developing and strengthening our customer relationships. I am convinced that this creates a win-win situation that strengthens both us and our customers.

The future

David BrodetskyPresident and CEOLindab AB

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lindab 1959 - 2009

A selection of today’s products with strong customer values

Building components

Building systems

Lindab Rainline Rainline offers a complete system in ten colours, with components that provide quick and accurate installation. The outcomes are considerable time savings and a more attractive house.

RdBXLindab’s partition wall studs offer simpler assembly, clear installation markings and cus-tomised logistics and delivery solutions. Altogether, this makes the daily work smooth-er for the craftsman.

Astron BuildingsAstron Buildings is a complete system for building structures, roofs, walls, insulation and accessories in a recognised concept using flexible and sustainable solu-tions that can be fully customised. The components allow assembly to be performed simply, quickly and accurately, minimising the need for cutting and welding work on the construction site.

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Air Duct Systems

Comfort

Comfort VersioVersio consists of a range of components that can be assem-bled to meet the customer’s needs. With Versio, Lindab offers a unique possibility to customise indoor climate systems.

SR CutterWith the SR Cutter, the installer can simply and quickly cut circular ventilation ducts meas-uring 80-315 mm in diameter. SR Cutter contributes to both time savings and improved ergonomics.

Lindab Safe ClickLindab Safe Click saves time for installers and improves their working position, since the use of screws or rivets is minimised. Moreover, the out-come is a ventilation system with better airtight-ness, resulting in lower energy costs.

Comfort PlexusThe Plexus chilled beam has an optimal 360° distribution pattern, induction technology that gives extremely good cooling performance and a low profile that is aesthetically pleasing.

1959-2009

Lindab AB

SE-269 82 Båstad

Tel. +46 (0) 431 850 00

Fax: +46 (0) 431 850 10

E-mail: [email protected]

www.lindab.com We simplify construction


Lindab AB

SE-269 82 Båstad

Tel: +46 (0) 431 850 00

Fax: +46 (0) 431 850 10

E-mail: [email protected]

www.lindab.com

Lindab’s first 50 years of simplifying construction

Business

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