A New Coating Facility and the Right Solutions – Eker and Löfs’ Collaboration Is Based on Expertise and Joint Development
The collaboration between Eker and Löfs is based on joint development
We wanted help choosing the right suppliers and equipment, and Löfs has a very good understanding of what’s available on the market,
Mattias Bergström
Production Manager
Ekeri
Ekeri is a company based in Kolppi, Pedersöre, that specializes in transportation solutions and manufactures trailers, semi-trailers, and closed-body truck bodies. Founded in 1945, this Ostrobothnian company is known for its trailers’ durability, long service life, and a unique feature—side-opening doors—that make loading easier. In 2024, Ekeri launched a major development project by beginning construction on a new paint shop. To support this demanding project, the company turned to Löfs, a trusted partner for over 30 years.
The old facility was no longer suitable for production
The previous paint shop had reached the end of its useful life. Its production capacity no longer met current needs, and its technology had fallen behind the times. Ekeri wanted to invest in a new paint shop that would allow for increased automation and ensure that surface treatment capacity would be sufficient to support future growth.
Mattias Bergström, Production Manager at Eker, says that the new paint shop will make it possible to double production in terms of surface treatment. He adds that Löfs was chosen to assist with the design of the new paint shop because Eker lacks expertise in the field of surface treatment.
“We wanted help choosing the right suppliers and equipment, and Löfs has a very good understanding of what’s available on the market,” Bergström sums up.
A Strong Foundation for Cooperation
Eker and Löfs have a long shared history. Surface treatment has already been outsourced to Löfs, and their employees are an integral part of Eker’s day-to-day operations on-site as well. This trusting and practical collaboration also served as an important foundation for the design of the new paint shop solution.
Mattias Bergström, Production Manager at Ekeri, says that Ekeri has a long-standing partnership with Löfs. The most important reason for this partnership is trust.
– “Löfs is a partner we can rely on. Our collaboration runs smoothly and requires very little oversight on our part. Löfs adapts to our production, which makes working with them really easy for us,” Bergström says.
This familiar framework for collaboration also made it easier to design the new paint shop and added depth to the project right from the start.
Löfs’ consulting services provided confidence in investment decisions
Löfs offers surface treatment consulting services to companies in the manufacturing industry, whether in connection with the design of a new production line or the development of existing processes. In Eker’s case, it was a comprehensive overhaul.
“Our surface treatment consulting always starts with the customer’s needs. The goal is to find exactly the right solutions in a cost-effective and high-quality manner, with a long-term perspective,” says Tommy Löfs.
In Eker’s project, this involved, among other things, solutions related to space planning, capacity, and material flows. Mattias Bergström points out that they would not have been able to handle everything without expert support.
Designing a new paint shop is a surprisingly multi-step process. “Since this was a significant investment, we wanted to make sure that all the essential factors were taken into account right from the start. And we didn’t really even have any idea what an investment of this magnitude would cost,” Bergström says.
Tangible improvements in production
During the collaboration, several areas for improvement were identified, and Löfs offered its expertise to address them. The design focused on the smooth flow of production, equipment layout, and maintenance practices. For example, Löfs was involved in equipment selection and the optimization of production techniques.
“Löfs helped us take into account factors that we might not have been able to assess on our own, such as optimizing equipment placement, necessary investments, and planning for preventive maintenance,” Bergström says.
Opportunities for data utilization and efficiency monitoring were also incorporated as early as the planning phase.
More Sustainable Surface Treatment
Eker’s new paint shop brings benefits to both employees and the environment. Processes are smoother and more controlled, and the new technology supports sustainability goals. With the new paint shop, automation increases speed, while ventilation improves energy efficiency and creates better working conditions.
“Automation speeds up the work, and the new ventilation system provides both energy savings and better working conditions for those working in the paint shop,” Bergström says.
Thanks to a higher level of automation, chemical and paint waste is reduced, and Eker’s ambitious sustainability goals are being achieved even more effectively in surface treatment as well.
Outsourcing brings flexibility
Since part of the surface treatment process has been outsourced to Löfs, the company’s own staff works at Eker’s facilities every day. This hands-on collaboration has streamlined operations on many levels.
– The fact that part of the surface treatment has been outsourced to Löfs and their staff work on-site at our facility has brought clear benefits. We have the expertise right nearby and can respond quickly to peak periods or special projects, for example. In addition, we don’t need to maintain our own reserve staff for surface treatment, as we can quickly obtain additional resources through Löfs when needed. “The collaboration runs smoothly because Löfs is already familiar with our products and processes,” Bergström notes.
A partnership goes a long way
The end result is a comprehensive solution that supports Eker’s growth and delivers clear benefits for daily production. This long-term partnership has also given Eker confidence in Löfs’s expertise.
“Our collaboration with Löfs was extremely valuable to us. We were able to establish a clearer framework for our investment and implement solutions that improve production efficiency,” Bergström sums up.
– Projects like these aren’t just about equipment or processes; they’re about a partnership where we travel the entire journey together. “Here at Löfs, we want to be the expert support you can rely on, whether it’s a major investment or a minor tweak,” Tommy Löfs concludes.
