Moelven Limtre is a subsidiary of the Moelven Group, one of Scandinavia’s largest industrial groups making building products and systems for the construction industry. “We are located in Moelv, a little town about one and a half hours north of Oslo, positioned on major communication routes and close to the forests and sawmills which supply our raw material,” says CEO Rune Abrahamsen, adding that the facility currently employs about 125 people.
The company is Norway’s leading manufacturer of glued-laminated timber, commonly known as glulam, a fully eco-friendly and sustainable material, stronger and more rigid than solid timber due to the lamella effect.
Laminated timber beams can be used for everything from large industrial buildings to single family homes and as timber buildings are proven to capture carbon from the atmosphere, thus acting as carbon storage, their environmental credentials are undisputed.
Leading the way
“Our core business consists of the production of glulam beams for structural applications. We offer a wide range of standard dimensions for the construction market and also produce and install customized beams for both small and large projects,” says Abrahamsen.
“What makes us successful is our expertise in production, installation and design of timber structures. Utilizing CNC machinery for automated processing results in highly precise components. We are also among the few manufacturers capable of producing impregnated glulam for outdoor use.”
The company can boast numerous prime examples of its material being used for a variety of construction projects. “The 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer was a game-changer for our company,” says Abrahamsen.
“We developed techniques for timber roof structures that span nearly 100 metres, despite the high snow loads in our climate. All major arenas for the Olympics were built using glulam structures from Moelven Limtre.”
“Since then, we have further refined these techniques, producing and installing hundreds of heavy-duty timber bridges and, in recent years, tall timber buildings. The timber structures of Mjøstårnet, the world’s tallest all-timber building, were completed in 2019 and were produced and installed by Moelven Limtre,” he says, noting that visitors from all over the globe came to see this project.
More recently, the company participated in building the new Elgiganten logistical centre in Jönköping in Sweden. Completed earlier in 2024 in collaboration with Limtre’s Swedish sister company Moelven Töreboda, the centre is the Nordic region’s largest warehouse and logistics facility.
The facility boasts high environmental standards, since the project is aimed at being environmentally certified according to BREEAM Excellent, and to WELL Core to ensure a healthy workplace.
“The sheer scale of the project again demonstrated the feasibility of successfully building large, complex timber structures. Our material has been used in similarly complex projects including airports and super-tall buildings and more is to come – we have just signed a contract for building the Stabæk Football team’s stadium in Oslo.”
The human value
Abrahamsen affirms that the company is continuously striving for enhancement – over the past few years, the philosophy of Lean Manufacturing has been adopted and a customized Manufacturing Execution System (MES) with AI capabilities is being developed to further improve operations.
Still, the bulk of the work relies on the capable hands of the company’s employees, he affirms.
“Our people operate cranes, paint beams in a particular colour and install new brackets into wooden parts, and although AI is likely to take over some functions currently managed by our administrative personnel and enhance efficiency, it cannot replace the physical hands of our operators,” he says, noting that so far the notorious shortage of skilled labour plaguing most European manufacturers has not been an issue in Limtre.
“Our strong standing in the industry attracts a high number of applications for our various vacancies. We have a comprehensive recruitment process that starts broadly and narrows down candidates to ensure we select the best fit for our company.”
“Importantly, we also invest in our current employees by enhancing their skills and competencies. We provide ongoing education and training for both operators and staff to ensure continuous improvement.”
Developing the company’s supplier network is also key, and Abrahamsen highlights the importance of establishing good, long-lasting partnerships for years to come. “Our glulam company’s success is significantly bolstered by the contributions of our diverse suppliers.”
“Each type of supplier plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and efficiency of our production processes. We have regular meetings with our suppliers where feedback can be given both ways, so that we can grow together into the future.”
Super strong and versatile
So far, 2024 has been a disappointing year for European construction sector, & the overall market developments have clearly impacted Moelven Limtre as well. “Currently, the building market in Norway and Sweden is experiencing a downturn. Volumes are low across the sector, and we must strive to retain our market share. We know that there are ups and downs, but at the moment our main focus is making sure that we get enough work for our industry,” says Abrahamsen.
“In addition, the construction industry is traditionally conservative, with changes occurring only gradually. Admittedly, in recent years, the increased focus on sustainability has driven a higher demand for wood solutions, primarily due to the carbon storage capabilities of growing trees, so we are looking to a brighter future.”
In this context, Moelven Limtre plans to increase capacity and to turn its production facility into a state-of-the-art factory. “The increasing demand for innovative timber solutions gives us a positive outlook on the future of our company. We are currently exploring new applications such as windmills, logistical buildings, wildlife passages, and tall timber buildings, and also looking at markets further afield.”
“Our products are super strong and very versatile. While we are not timber fanatics, we believe in solutions where timber plays a crucial role. So we may see hybrid constructions on a larger scale than what has been the norm until now,” he concludes.
