In March 2022, Nordic Crane established its own department in Haugesund, thereby gaining a foothold in Western Norway. The region has several exciting projects, including the development of Boliden’s zinc smelter in Odda. The development is extensive and will almost double their production capacity.
Boliden’s zinc smelter is almost 100 years old and has been expanded several times over the years. Nordic Crane has an agreement with Kruse Smith regarding the project, which this year became part of Backe Entreprenør AS, and the engagement appears to last primarily until the turn of the year
Nordic Crane has been part of the project for almost 16 months and has had up to 7 mobile cranes and truck crane trucks working simultaneously. The staffing consists of employees from the department in Haugesund and employees from several of our other departments who work shifts (14-14). In addition, we use hired crane operators when needed.
With several hundred workers, from different contractors on the project, the whole thing can almost feel like an anthill. Challenges with regards to capacity were solved when large residential barges were towed in and docked. It is therefore a very short distance “home” at the end of the working day.
Odd Bruno Bø-Fremstad (Fredrikstad department), and crane operator Jan Erik Frantsen (hired) on our 160-tonner. Odd-Bruno Bø-Fremstad from the department in Fredrikstad, is the one from Nordic Crane who has been with Boliden the longest. With his Volvo crane semi, he has full days moving steel-reinforcement, formwork and much more internally on site. Odd Bruno has close contact with the client, and feels the collaboration works well.
“Commuting between Fredrikstad and Odda is okay, even though it can sometimes be challenging to spend so much time away from home. But the working environment is great, and it’s well facilitated here, so that helps,” he says.
“The biggest challenges are related to the fact that there are many cranes and many other companies inside the area, at the same time as the production lines are running at full capacity. But everyone does a good job of safeguarding HSE work, so it’s no problem,” says Odd Bruno.
A department still under development
Nordic Crane is active throughout Scandinavia but is constantly working to expand its horizons.
“It’s great that we’ve gained entry into the region. The start-up phase of new departments is always demanding, but here we really have something exciting going on, explains CEO Eirik Kynningsrud.
“In Odda we are both at Boliden and at Tizir, as well as a number of other exciting assignments in the region. The work to develop the department in Haugesund is ongoing and is a priority task. At Nordic Crane we have many dedicated employees who are willing to join the projects wherever they are. This is extremely important in today’s market,” he concludes.