Continuing our journey, investing for the future, Permascand is proud to do the first installation of a fully automated robot welder for Spotwelding at the site in Ljungaverk.

“To meet the needs and requirements from our customers, we have today pushed the button and started one of our new investments – a fully automated robot spot welder, says Peter Lundström CEO at Permascand.

Jörgen Linell, Operations Director at Permascand continues, this will enable flexibility for new products and shorter convention times in our production.

The project has been led by Jörgen Wiklander and full engagement from the team is visible in attached video produced by Andreas Bergströmduring training and testing of the robot at the supplier in Karlstad.

Our investment plan for 2019- 2021 will put Permascand in a great high-tech position for future growth. This is just the start explains the chairman of the board Per-Ola Baalerud from Norvestor.

Permascand took half a billion in orders during the first ten months of the year, making 2018 a record year.

“We have a bright future ahead of us,” says CEO Peter Lundström. “Electrochemistry is in many ways one of the solutions to the world’s environmental problems.”

“Permascand has always been a company with potential,” says CEO Peter Lundström. “This autumn we have proven that we can also step up and deliver top results.”

“It’s great fun,” Peter continues with a proud smile. “All of our employees do a very good job, despite the impact that growth has on the teams.”

Just this year, the company has employed eleven new employees. A completely new water treatment system was established in June, and major investments in the machinery park have made for better efficiency.

“It’s like a construction site where the tempo is increasing all the time,” Lundström says. “But we will not relax. Every new development pushes us further.”

Starting in 2015, Permascand has been owned by the Norwegian venture capital company Norvestor. A professional board has brought experience and knowledge from companies that have made similar development trips.

“Norvestor saw the strength in our catalytic coatings being applied in many different contexts,” explains Peter. “Among other things, they saw great business opportunities in our electrochemical cells for water purification, based on the Ballast Convention, which was about to be adopted.”

“Lithium is what is used in, for example, batteries found in Tesla’s electric cars, this is an exciting market to involved in.”

Expertise is a key issue when it comes to growth. For Permascand’s part, it is about both the possibility of recruiting new employees and for suppliers to meet the new conditions.

“For us to succeed, our suppliers need to join us on our journey,” explains Peter. “For example, the new requirements of our customers have a proven production chain. In particular, the US market places different requirements for documentation of the process through, among other things, test and inspection plans, where each moment in the process is documented and, in some cases, also photographed.”

“If you want to become a world champion, you need a clear focus. You need to know what to do to reach the goal and do activities that take you forward. At the same time, it is a development staircase that goes up and down. But it is important to hold on and be clear in communication.”

“We all have to take responsibility for and act on our own development, both as individuals as well as companies and municipalities. It doesn’t work if you’re not doing things yourself. At Permascand we encourage trying new things. When someone thinks they can, it is in itself a major driver for change and development.”

As CEO of Permascand, Peter sits in the Ånge municipality’s business councils meeting several times a year. On the question of what he can contribute there, the answer comes directly: change processes.

“If you want to become a world champion, you need a clear focus. You need to know what to do to reach the goal and do activities that take you forward. At the same time, it is a development staircase that goes up and down. But it is important to hold on and be clear in communication.”