Category: Okategoriserad

Swedish boat manufacturer Cremo Boats is now entering the Finnish market. For the first time, the company’s models will be displayed at the UIVA In-Water Boat Show in Helsinki from 14–17 August 2025, together with local dealers.

Cremo has already started collaborations with a number of Finnish dealers in the Helsinki area and Lahti, who will offer Cremo boats for sale in connection with the show. With a combination of robust design, practical solutions and high build quality, Cremo positions itself as a strong alternative for Finnish boat owners.

– The launch of Cremo in Finland is a natural next step after our acquisition of Bella and Flipper. In recent years, we have developed several new models that are particularly well adapted to the Finnish market, says Niclas Andersson, Sales Manager at Cremo Boats.

Swedish quality with strong roots

Cremo has its roots in the classic brand Crescent, which has long been known in Finland. Today, Cremo Boats stands for a new generation of motorboats – built in durable fiberglass with a focus on safety, comfort and seaworthiness that you can rely on in all conditions. The company’s designs are well thought out and well-tested with models signed by renowned designers, which contributes to a high resale value.

Production takes place in Cremo’s own modern facility in Chojnice, Poland, and the company has recently inaugurated its new headquarters in Torpa outside Varberg. Cremo Boats is part of the Swedish family business Intagagruppen and delivers boats to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands – and now also to Finland.

Welcome to UIVA 2025!

Cremo will be exhibiting together with local dealers at the UIVA Boat Show in Helsinki from August 14th to 17th. Visit us and experience our boats in their true element – on the water.

---

For more information, please contact:
Niclas Andersson, Försäljningschef
+46 (0)70-675 34 08
niclas.andersson@cremoboats.se
www.cremoboats.se

As part of the ongoing focus on the premium segment, Nimbus Group AB (publ) has recently sold the Bella and Flipper brands to Intaga Group, south from Gothenburg via its subsidiary Cremo Boats, which in 2019 took over Monark and Crescent’s leisure boats. For the market and boatlovers this means that the range of 4-8 meter leisure boats of the attractive brands Bella and Flipper will be preserved.

– We are very pleased to have the ability and opportunity to buy two such well-known and appreciated brands as Flipper and Bella. The acquisition fits perfectly into the Intaga Group, as we acquired Swedish Monark / Crescent leisure boats in 2019 and also the boat factory located in Chojnice in Poland. We have reorganized the entire production and will launch new Cremo boat models in 2025. The timing is perfect and we hope that all Bella/Flipper owners and not least the dealers are happy that the brands live on in safe hands, says Carl-Tore Bengtsson, CEO of the family business Intaga AB. This makes the the Bella and Flipper boats will live on.

Places the boat building to Cremo factory

Bella Boats and Flipper Boats are currently manufactured by the Nimbus Group. The boats will be built in the Cremo factory in Chojnice, Poland due to volume effects. The Polish factory has recently been expanded and modernized and has the capacity to produce many more boats than today.

– Thanks to the capacity in our own factory and all the synergy effects this will give, Bella and Flipper models will live on. But it will of course be a challenge for us to hire at least 50 employees in many different professional categories for the factory. We will never never compromise on quality. Boat building is craft. It also means more positions on the sales and marketing side at the head office in Varberg, Sweden, continues Carl-Tore Bengtsson.

Cremo is on site at Vene Båt 2025 and other Nordic boat shows

For the boating season, Cremo Boats is represented on the boat shows in Helsinki, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tönsberg and Oslo, where Cremo Boats present eight new models – both leisure and utility boats and a classic sloep that has been electrified. All this side by side with models from Bella Boats and Flipper Boats. This means that Cremo Boats will then be able to offer around 30 boat models in the 4-8 meter length range.

– At Vene Båt 2025 in Helsinki we will join the Bella and Flipper stand and are very much looking forward to meet the visitors who are interested in the Cremo Boats ambitions and learn to know us better, says Niclas Andersson, sales manager at Cremo Boats.

The expansion journey continues

In recent years, Intaga Group has developed and expanded largely thanks to the rational new building in Torpa, north of Varberg, with concentration to one facility in the municipality instead of three. The acquisitions and investments in new technology have been made possible not least thanks to good support from the bank Nordea, adds Carl-Tore Bengtsson. We are continuing our expansion journey.

---

About Intaga Group

Intaga AB is a Swedish family business owned and operated on a long-term basis by the Bengtsson family. The Intaga Group has facilities in both Torpa/Varberg, 60 kilometers south of Gothenburg on the Swedish west coast and in Chojnice, 120 kilometers southwest of Gdansk, in Poland. In addition to Cremo Boats, the group also includes the heating solution supplier Grad-in AB, the mechanical workshop Manovi AB, the roof box manufacturer Cremo Carbox, the electronics company DA-Elektronik, all co-located in Torpa. Polish operations include the composite factory Cremo Composite and Agafil, which manufactures bathroom units.

About Cremo Boats

Boat manufacturer of safe and comfortable fiberglass motorboats since 1958. The designs are well thought out and seaworthy – to be trusted in all situations! Cremo Boats has a long history of well-proven models by renowned designers, which gives Cremo boats a high resale value. Cremo Boats has its own modern production facility in Chojnice, Poland and newly built headquarters in Torpa, Varberg. Cremo Boats currently delivers boats to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. There is an expansion plan to enter more European countries.

Press contacts

Carl-Tore Bengtsson
CEO Intaga Group
carl-tore.bengtsson@intaga.se
+46 70 593 81 85

Niclas Andersson
Sales Manager Cremo Boats
niclas.andersson@cremo.se
+46 706 75 34 08

As part of the ongoing focus on the premium segment, Nimbus Group AB (publ) has decided to sell the Bella and Flipper brands. The buyer is Varberg-based Intaga Group via its subsidiary Cremo Boats, which in 2019 took over Monark and Crescent’s leisure boats.

– The deal with Intaga Group has a clear commercial and industrial logic. For strategic reasons, Nimbus Group has increased its focus on the premium segment after the pandemic. Through this deal, we retain the larger and premium boats from Flipper, while the boats from Bella and the smaller models from Flipper are taken care of by an owner who has his main focus on the small boat segment, says Jan-Erik Lindström, CEO of Nimbus Group.

– We are very pleased to have the confidence and opportunity to buy two such well-known and appreciated brands as Flipper and Bella. The acquisition fits perfectly into the Intaga Group, as we acquired Swedish Monark / Crescent leisure boats in 2019 and also the boat factory located in Chojnice in Poland. We have reorganized the entire production and will launch new Cremo boat models in 2025. The timing is perfect and we hope that all Bella/Flipper owners and not least the dealers are happy that the brands live on in safe hands, says Carl-Tore Bengtsson, CEO of the family business Intaga AB.

Acquisition creates 50 new jobs

Bella Boats and Flipper Boats are currently manufactured by the Nimbus Group. The boats will be built in the Cremo factory in Chojnice. The Polish factory has recently been expanded and modernized and has the capacity to produce many more boats than today.

– We have very good support from the Polish authorities there and with the acquisition we will hire at least 50 employees in many different professional categories for the factory. In addition, it also means more positions on the sales and marketing side at the head office in Varberg, Sweden, continues Carl-Tore Bengtsson.

Preparing for the Nordic boat shows

For the boating season, Cremo Boats is now preparing for the boat shows in Gothenburg, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tönsberg and Oslo, where Cremo Boats will present eight new models – both leisure and utility boats and a classic sloep that has been electrified. All this side by side with models from Bella Boats and Flipper Boats. This means that Cremo Boats will then be able to offer around 30 boat models in the 4-8 meter length range.

The expansion journey continues

– In recent years, Intaga Group has developed and expanded largely thanks to the rational new building in Torpa, north of Varberg, with concentration to one facility in the municipality instead of three. The acquisitions and investments in new technology have been made possible not least thanks to good support from the bank Nordea, adds Carl-Tore Bengtsson. We are continuing our expansion journey.

---

About Intaga Group

Intaga AB is a Swedish family business owned and operated on a long-term basis by the Bengtsson family. The Intaga Group has facilities in both Torpa/Varberg, 60 kilometers south of Gothenburg on the Swedish west coast and in Chojnice, 120 kilometers southwest of Gdansk, in Poland. In addition to Cremo Boats, the group also includes the heating solution supplier Grad-in AB, the mechanical workshop Manovi AB, the roof box manufacturer Cremo Carbox, the electronics company DA-Elektronik, all co-located in Torpa. Polish operations include the composite factory Cremo Composite and Agafil, which manufactures bathroom units.

About Cremo Boats

Boat manufacturer of safe and comfortable fiberglass motorboats since 1958. The designs are well thought out and seaworthy – to be trusted in all situations! Cremo Boats has a long history of well-proven models by renowned designers, which gives Cremo boats a high resale value. Cremo Boats has its own modern production facility in Chojnice, Poland and newly built headquarters in Torpa, Varberg. Cremo Boats currently delivers boats to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. There is an expansion plan to enter more European countries.

Press photos / pressroom: Press material

Press contacts

Carl-Tore Bengtsson
CEO Intaga Group
carl-tore.bengtsson@intaga.se
+46 70 593 81 85

Jan-Erik Lindström
CEO Nimbus Group
jan-erik.lindström@nimbus.se
+46 31 726 77 00

Cremo Boats is gearing up for this year’s major boat shows in the Nordic region to showcase several new boat models. The multi-million investment in design and expansion made in the factory in recent years aims to strengthen the long-established Swedish boat manufacturer’s position in the market and offer customers a wider and more innovative range.

Cremos Bowrider 558BR

– We are proud to introduce these new models, which combine traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. They’re made in Poland, where we’ve been building these boats since the 1970s. The new factory, built in 2006, has undergone extensive modernisation of production methods in recent years to ensure the highest quality and efficiency,’ says Carl-Tore Bengtsson, CEO of boat manufacturer Cremo Boats.

Carl-Tore Bengtsson, CEO of Cremo Boats and the Intaga Group at the headquarters in Torpa/Varberg, south of Gothenburg

New design and smart solutions in Cremo’s Bowrider

Among the hot new models for the season are the Cremo 680CC, Cremo 558BR and Cremo 558SC. The highly anticipated Cremo Bowrider 558BR is a sports boat that offers comfort even at higher speeds, with a new design language and smartly utilised surfaces. For the design and construction, Cremo is collaborating with Dejevik Engineering.

Cremo Boats will be exhibiting at Båmässan in Gothenburg, All för sjön in Stockholm and at one of the Norwegian boat shows in Tönsberg or Oslo.

Cremo 680CC

New flagship in the Cremo 680CC

The Cremo 680CC is the stylish successor to the Cremo 650CC and represents the company’s new flagship. This model has generous interior spaces, seating and tables, as well as a swimming platform as standard. It is also highly seaworthy, making it ideal for longer adventures on the water. The new stylish Cremo 680CC combines style and functionality.

Cremo Boats S26

Cremo S26, Snipa with electric motor for slow boating

Another exciting novelty is the Cremo S26 model, perfect for those who want to enjoy slow boating. With a focus on relaxation and exploring nature in peace, the Cremo S26 offers a harmonious experience for the whole family. At just over 7 metres from bow to stern, it offers plenty of space for friends and family and the buyer can choose an electric or petrol engine.

Expanding the family with two utility boats under 5 metres

In addition to these models, the company is also launching the Cremo 488SC and Cremo 488BR sports boats, the younger siblings of the 558 SC and 558BR. In addition, the product portfolio has been expanded with two more utility boats, the Cremo 470 R and Cremo 470 SC, which broaden the range and give customers even more choice.

– Our new models are the result of careful work and passion for boating. We have listened to our customers and created boats that truly reflect their needs and wishes. We look forward to launching these models and contributing to a great boating season in 2025,’ Niclas Andersson, Sales Manager.

Niclas Andersson, Sales Manager for Cremo Boats

About Cremo Boats

Boat manufacturer of safe and comfortable motorboats in durable fibreglass. The designs are well thought-out and seaworthy – to be trusted in all situations! Cremo Boats has a long history of well-proven models by renowned designers, making Cremo’s boats with a high resale value. Own modern production facility in Polish Chojnice and newly built headquarters in Torpa, Varberg. Cremo Boats currently delivers boats to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. There is an expansion plan to enter more European countries. The company is part of the family-owned Intaga Group.

PRESS CONTACT & PRESS PHOTOS FOR DOWNLOAD – CLICK HERE

Andreas Bengtsson takes over as CEO after Carl-Tore Bengtsson – a new era for Manovi Varberg AB

– It is with great pleasure and pride that we announce that Andreas Bengtsson has taken over as Managing Director of Manovi Varberg AB. The company has a more than 130-year company history and has been at the same location in Torpa outside Varberg since 1905, says Carl-Tore Bengtsson, who now passes the baton on to his son Andreas.

Andreas Bengtsson has a solid background in industry, with an education from the Industrial Program and a few years at the machines at both Tilcon and Manovi. He has previously worked as a supervisor at both companies from 2018 to 2021, and then been responsible for sales and purchasing at Manovi since 2021, before taking on the role of CEO in September.

– I am extremely honored to lead Manovi Varberg AB into the next chapter, says Andreas Bengtsson. Our history and values will always be a part of us, and I look forward to working with our great team to continue our tradition of innovation and quality.

– We are very happy to see Andreas at the helm and look forward to seeing Manovi continue to grow and prosper under his leadership. He has a well-trimmed and hungry team on the shop floor that wants to be involved in serving our various markets with precision parts, says Carl-Tore Bengtsson.

Carl-Tore Bengtsson hands over the role of CEO of Intaga Group’s subsidiary Manovi.

Major investments during the year have borne fruit

Since 2015, when the company was taken over by the family business Intaga Gruppen, Manovi has undergone a restart where the business has been streamlined. Today, the company manufactures advanced prototypes and series-produced precision parts, and complements the value chain with mechanics and advanced electronic instruments.

Through the past year’s multi-million investments in new machine technology, Manovi has strengthened its role as a supplier of turning and milling assignments. The new machines, from DMG Mori, together with crimping equipment and holders from German Haimer, clamping equipment from German Schunk and tools from Sandvik Coromant. This enables Manovi to serve even more and larger orders than before and also offer more jobs.

– “Yes, now that we have landed the investment and production is up and running, we also see increasing demand. This in turn means that Manovi needs to grow by a couple of employees in CNC machining and preparation, says Andreas Bengtsson.

The company is owned by the parent company Intaga AB, which in turn is owned by the Bengtsson family. The group also includes the radiator supplier Grad-in AB, DA Elektronik and Cremo Boats AB, which together have just over 50 employees.

Andreas Bengtsson brings his industrial program and production experience to his role as CEO. This is well appreciated on the workshop floor, which is full of new machines. More CNC operators will also need to be recruited.

Manovi is housed in a newly expanded property together with other group companies in Torpa north of Varberg. At the same address for 130 years

---

About Manovi

Manovi Varberg AB, has a company history of more than 130 years. The company was founded as early as 1892 by the Gustafsson family and has been in the same location in Torpa outside Varberg since 1905. After a number of changes of ownership, the company was taken over by the family company Intaga Gruppen in 2015 when Manovi was given a fresh start and the business was streamlined. Manovi manufactures advanced prototypes for series of precision parts, and then completes the value chain with the assembly of mechanics and advanced electronic instruments.

The companies are owned by the parent company Intaga AB, which in turn is owned by the Bengtsson family. The group also includes the radiator supplier Grad-in AB, DA Elektronik and Cremo Boats AB, which together have just over 50 employees. www.manovi.se

In front Linnea Bengtsson, Victoria Lennartsson. Behind them Carl-Tore Bengtsson and Andreas Bengtsson. Torpa is home to the new head office, workshops and warehouse.

The Varberg company Manovi continues to invest in its new production facility in Torpa. The family business is investing heavily in new processing machines with automation to meet increasing demand.

Recently, Manovi’s CEO shook hands on a major order from DMG MORI comprising three high-tech machines to deliver special products even more efficiently to customers in the medical technology, electronics, construction, marine and defence industries.

– ‘We are preparing for the future and with the help of the integrated automation solutions and machines we have purchased from DMG MORI, we also have a stable total supplier behind us,’ says Andreas Bengtsson, Sales Manager for Manovi.

– ‘It is a pleasure to be able to say that we have ordered the first part of our new machine fleet. After an extensive survey, we chose DMG MORI. They have a well-developed service organisation and are large globally with a production of more than 10,000 turning and milling machines in the premium segment. For us, this means an operationally reliable complete solution that is finished with automation where we do not end up in the borderland between automation companies and machine manufacturers,’ continues Anderas Bengtsson.

Creating more jobs and demand for skills

The investment is just one step in Manovis’ progress. The new machinery also defines the type of skills the business needs to run the latest technology. For the already expanding West Coast region, this means more valuable jobs.

– ‘There will be a lot of training for all employees and we still have a need to hire more people for production. And we feel that we can benefit greatly from DMG MORI’s great technical expertise as we now take a big step and technology shift, and the first step with their premium machines, says Carl-Tore Bengtsson, CEO of Manovi.

– The automation and robotisation that is being done here also helps to increase the interest in more young people choosing a career in the currently high-tech engineering industry, adds Carl-Tore Bengtsson, as the entire Bengtsson family is involved locally in the education issue.

High-tech marvels

The three machines will arrive at Manovi after the summer holidays and they expect to reach full production capacity in the autumn. Then the plan is to take the next step in the automation journey.

Since the turn of the year, the Intaga Group has gathered its Sweden-based companies in newly built large production and warehouse premises, in Torpa north of Varberg. Here you will find the Lego manufacturer Manovi, the boat builder Cremo Boats, the roof box manufacturer Cremo Carbox and the radiator importer Grad-in. When planning the large shared warehouse, an expert consultant was hired to optimize the logistics. His specification for the automatic elevator was suitable for several suppliers. The choice fell on Weland’s new Compact Lift 4000, which was the strongest in the competition and has now been installed for the first time in Sweden.

Competitive solution

– The consultant had done their homework and knew exactly what they wanted. They wanted a clean goods-to-man storage solution that could accommodate as much stock as possible in as little floor space as possible. Thanks to the fact that we now have a Compact Lift with a width of four meters in the standard range, we were able to offer a very competitive solution. Already in November, we delivered the lift, which can accommodate 175 square meters of storage space on 13.5 square meters of floor space. At a height of 8.3 meters, it contains 50 trays that can be loaded with 500 kg each, says Sam Andreasen, sales representative at Weland Solutions.

Worth spending time on the groundwork

– “Originally we thought we would have items from all four companies in this automatic elevator, but we have ended up filling it only with parts and accessories for Grad-in radiators and underfloor heating. Maybe there will be more elevators in the future. The consultant helped us to calculate the best content, to put in the right number of items, sizes of packaging and how much storage space each item would get. The groundwork is essential and after three months we have made an audit where the Compact Store program also helped to optimize efficiency so that the items that go the most end up closer together and further down in the machine for faster handling, says Amanda Svensson, warehouse manager at Intaga.

Smidigare med bättre ordning och reda

– Vi har ett gigantiskt lager med mängder av stora lådor och artiklar. I Compact Liften har vi samlat mycket av sånt som plockas styckevis direkt från kundorder. Vi märker att det har blivit större ordning och reda bland de brutna förpackningarna och exempelvis artiklar för golvvärmesystem finns lagrade på samma bricka för att plockas samtidigt. Det finns kanske 400 artiklar i hissen idag och vi är fem personer som hanterar den. Även om systemet inte är svårt att lära sig krävs det lite inkörningstid för att få alla att ändra sitt arbetssätt. Det är faktiskt lite kul att köra honom och väldigt bra när allting kommer i rätt höjd. Men man måste förstå hur han jobbar, säger Amanda.

Compact Lift 4000 en prisvärd första lösning

– Intaga valde en Compact Lift 4000 som sin första vertikala lagerhiss. Tack vare att den blivit en
standardprodukt blev den en mycket prisvärd och yteffektiv lagerlösning som passade delar av deras
lagerbehov. I det här fallet använder de den enklaste standardmjukvaran inom Compact Store som är kopplad till deras affärssystem Visma. Eftersom de ville pröva sig fram blev detta en perfekt lösning. Tillbehör och extra finesser går ju alltid att applicera senare, avslutar Sam Andreasen.

Läs mer på Welands hemsida

Grad-in, a niche player in radiators and convectors, has just started and kicked off the largest agreement in the company’s history. VVS Norge with 200 partners has signed a cooperation agreement with Grad-in AB.

The new owners of Grad-in see a similar development in both Sweden and Norway where goods with greater values are moved from wholesalers to niche players. Wholesalers will certainly remain on small items with lower frequency and low values, all in the pursuit of getting down in price and handling cost, items will be moved from wholesalers. What happens in plumbing remains to be seen.

– We at Grad have adapted the company to a new role in the value chain, says Carl-Tore Bengtsson CEO.

“With over 20,000 radiators in a variety of designs in stock, we have the Nordic region’s widest range of water-borne panel radiators, with both surface-mounted and integrated couplings, of course matched with accessories. We have a unique product called VKM8 with as many as 8 connection points, which can handle most connection problems that an installer may encounter. With our impressive stock and our deep knowledge in plumbing, we can offer high quality solutions with fast delivery.

The objective is simple; to simplify for the installer. We achieve this through low overhead, simple systems and low overheads, which makes us competitive with the leading installers in each location. Our product is relatively simple and we do not want to burden the price with a lot of extra things that are not needed for the installer to do a good job.

Sales Manager Patrik Johansson says that the company has been reorganizing for a year, clearing out the leaven, building the organization and loading the cannon.

The first major agreement has been signed with VVS Norge, which brings together a total of 200 installation companies under one roof: Comfort, Bademiljö and a new Proff chain. Grad is appointed as an object supplier and the premiere takes place today at the chain’s VVS fair at Gardemoen Oslo.

– “We are very pleased that we have been able to get this major agreement in port and expect to get additional niche agreements in both Sweden and Norway with our new concept. Both countries are undergoing a structural transformation similar to the journey we have made in construction in Sweden. We have received strong signals from the major players that they want to move niche products from wholesalers to direct purchase,” says Carl-Tore Bengtsson.

– “We expect to sign further agreements in both Sweden and Norway during the year,” says Patrik Johansson.

About Grad-In

Intaga AB is a family-owned group that has four different legs.

Plumbing in the form of the niche player Grad-in AB. Cremo AB, plastic industry with Crescent boats and other fiberglass products. Manovi Varberg AB, a mechanical workshop with a unique overall concept
And a real estate part. The main owner is the Carl-Tore Bengtsson family, together with the management of the various companies. Group-wide functions in administration, warehousing and transport mean that cost efficiency and low overhead are achieved. The Intaga Group is expected to have a turnover of SEK 150 million in 2020 with strong growth in all subsidiaries.

Grad-in was founded in 1997 and is based in Varberg 6 miles south of Gothenburg. With its excellent geographical location, it serves all of Sweden and Norway with daily deliveries. Grad-in represents Czech Korado, one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of radiators, and their subsidiary Licon, a niche player in customized convectors. Accessories from well-known players such as IMI, Danfoss, MMA and Sigarth are available in a wide range in stock.

Both Patrik Johansson and Carl-Tore Bengtsson have long experience from Järn & Bygg. Patrik has previously worked in Setra Bygg-Gross, Optimera and most recently in the Derome Group where he and Carl-Tore have made a fantastic journey from SEK 100 million and one plant to 45 plants and 3.5 billion in turnover. Carl-Tore has a background from various Volvo dealers, Black & Decker throughout the Nordic region, Luna Verktyg & Maskiner, Unipet and Derome over the past 17 years. He is now leaving as Deputy CEO of the Derome Group and will concentrate on the family group together with his children and partners.

Published on Installationsbranschen

Heating technology company Grad-In reports growth and significantly improved profitability, albeit from a low level, for 2019-2020. The heating technology company Grad-In reports growth and significantly improved profitability, albeit from a low level, for 2019/2020. The comparison year covered 16 months. Recalculation has been made for this in Installationssiffror.se’s analysis.

Growth was driven, among other things, by new agreements, a factor that is expected to have even stronger effects in the future.

“Cooperation agreements with several leading installation chains/companies were signed during the year, which are expected to have an increased effect in the coming years and secure the growth of Grad-In AB,” writes the management in the annual report. During the year, the company has also expanded its product range.

They also point out that “the sales organization has been strengthened to provide customers with improved service”, which is reflected in the fact that the average workforce increased to ten people during the year. The operating margin improvement was driven by a combination of effects. The gross margin improvement was driven by a combination of effects. The gross margin lifted by almost 5 percentage points.

At the same time, economies of scale were achieved, reflected in a rise in the value-added ratio to 19.1% (9.1%), while the wage intensity fell to 74.3% (80.5%) despite an increase in the workforce. The operating margin of 4.6% achieved during the year was almost 1 percentage point higher than the five-year average of 3.7%, an average achieved in the range of 1.6-4.9%.

As regards the pandemic, the situation, as described by management, was calm as of the end of October when the annual report was signed. “At present, the spread of the Coronavirus has not had a significant impact on operations, sales and earnings,” they write.

Read more: News tags – Grad-In | Installationssiffror.se

Tilcon AB and Manovi Varberg AB are two well-known companies in Varberg municipality. Manovi’s history dates back to 1892 when the Gustafsson family started their business. Tilcon was founded almost 100 years later in 1986 and has its operations in central Varberg.

Now it’s time to take the next step in the development, the companies are merging in the spring of 2018. In concrete terms, Tilcon is moving to Torpa and the workshop premises that Tilcon uses on Industrivägen 6 in central Varberg are rented out.

The Wood & Paint department is sold

A streamlining is also being done, the Wood & Lacquer department at Manovi, which mainly manufactures and renovates kitchens and kitchen doors, will be sold. Trä & Lack employs 2.5 people.

Many of our customers want a streamlining and that we instead take a greater commitment to their production and deliver more finished products instead of individual parts. This will give us greater weight and make us less vulnerable, so we can handle a few more customers.

Broad knowledge

Today we work with different customer categories to have more legs to stand on and for our technical expertise and machinery combined with a skilled workforce to be able to take several steps forward. The major customer groups are Medical Technology, Construction, Automotive and Electrical Engineering. Behind these customer categories are well-known Swedish large groups and their subcontractors down to smaller family-run businesses, which in itself is a security.

A major extension is being built in Torpa to accommodate the merger of Tilcon and Manovi. The extension will be completed in 2019, which will enable the company to continue on its growth journey.

Value-added technology industry

Many customers demand extreme finish and purity on the products and in our production as some products are used in procedures in the human body. We are a High Tech business with a great impact of new technology, digitalization that is coming by leaps and bounds, automation, robots, scanning and 3D printers are something that will be a reality in the new workshop that will begin to be built during the year, says Andreas Bengtsson.

Of course, the companies act as pure contract manufacturers, producing various components in series up to 700,000 pieces per year down to prototypes and one-off production. They process various metals and plastics, surface treat and purchase and refine electronic components, engrave machine signs, print logos, assemble, calibrate, pack in cardboard so that the customer gets a finished product that is then sold worldwide.

“Knowledge, flexibility and customer-oriented cooperation are key words for us,” says Andreas Bengtsson, and there is no mistaking their pride in helping to build a stronger high-tech company.

Company facts

Manovi Varberg AB, was founded in 1892 by the Gustafsson family and has been in the same place since 1905. After various changes of ownership and a bankruptcy in 2015, the company has made a restart and a refinement has been carried out. Manovi manufactures advanced prototypes for simple parts to assemble advanced electronic instruments at the top of the value chain.

Tilcon AB was established in 1986 and has its foundation with staff from Monark and tooling department at Heva’s current Autotube were two of the foundation stones. Tilcon is a supplier of fixtures, manufactures advanced subassemblies, tools and machine components.

Processing of metals and plastics, surface treatment, processing of electronic components, engraving, pad printing, assembly, calibration, packing. Subcontracting in series, prototypes and one-off production. The major customer groups are Medicine and Electrical Engineering as well as Construction and Automotive.

The customer categories are both large corporations and smaller family-run businesses in Europe.