SSAB - Equally Important as Both Customer and Supplier
Major Environmental Benefits from Neighboring Collaboration
Being neighbors with the world's leading specialist steel company offers numerous advantages. SSAB and Proplate share facilities in Oxelösund, Sweden.
SSAB delivers both specialty steel and standard steel to Proplate. Having such close access to world-renowned quality is essential for prestigious clients like German manufacturer Liebherr. The Finnish industrial group Metso also emphasizes the importance of proximity to SSAB. Lead times are shortened and high steel standards are guaranteed.
Both Customer and Supplier
Proplate is not only a customer of SSAB but also serves as its subcontractor. As closest neighbors, we've developed a stable business relationship.
"We have a strong collaboration that has evolved over many years. Proplate cuts for us and does excellent work throughout the entire process," says Torsten Wångmar, Sales Manager at SSAB. He believes social proximity is important but emphasizes that product quality always remains the fundamental requirement. Proplate has the right expertise and equipment.
"Sometimes we have complex geometries and need to purchase services. Materials must be cut according to specific tolerances – straight, curved, angled.
Think of it as a puzzle," he explains, simply illustrating the value of exact precision.
Proximity Creates More Efficient Workflows
The quick coordination that Torsten Wångmar calls "over-the-fence contacts" has significant importance even in our global, digitalized world.
"We know each other; no introduction is needed. It definitely makes a difference. A quick call: 'How's your capacity looking?
These simple, close-proximity solutions create more efficient workflows. He sees it daily.
"The accessibility and our established routines reduce bottlenecks."
Torsten uses the Belarusian customer Belaz as an example. SSAB sends steel plates to Proplate, which cuts out large sections and prepares the edges for welding. Three companies and the environment all benefit.
Reduced Carbon Emissions
The collaboration between SSAB and Proplate offers significant environmental advantages.
Being able to transport finished products directly saves many truck miles annually. Scrap material from cutting remains on-site and is processed in Oxelösund. This is an important aspect as carbon emissions must be reduced to meet global environmental targets.
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