Normet goes global

The Headquarters of the new distribution network, Normet International Ltd., is located in Baar, south of Zurich and will be in charge of global sales, marketing, Life Time Care customer service, regional offices, distributors, and customer relations. The Swiss operation is managed by Mr Tom Melbye, Normet’s new chief operating officer.

“The most important aspect of the new set-up is the change from a product and production driven company to a market driven organization. For instance, most Normet sales have been made through distributors, but from now on sales will be in Normet’s own hands. We will have much more face-to-face contacts with our customers, and this will enable us to improve our product and service offering and adapt it much faster to the needs of our customers”, says Tom Melbye.

“Our objectives and expectations for the near future are high. Within the next three to four years we plan to double our turnover, expand our Life Time Care offering and get more work force. We want Normet to be a lucrative employer because we need good people to expand our operations into new geographical areas and markets. All this will take place through organic growth, strategic partnerships, and in some cases also through strategic acquisitions”, Tom Melbye adds.

Regional operations

The new region Europe includes Europe, CIS, Africa and the Middle East and is headed by Mr Jorma Piironen. At the beginning, the region’s office is located in Iisalmi, Finland but will later move to Switzerland. Additionally, there is a Normet operation in Kazakhstan, where a subsidiary company was established in 2006. In Russia the company has three offices, in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Norilsk.
The region Asia also includes Australia and New Zeeland and is headed by Mr William Reid. The office is located in Adelaide, South Australia, and there will be three branch offices in the major mining areas (Perth, Kalgoorlie and Mt. Isa). A new office in Shanghai will cover the Chinese market.

The office of the region Americas is located in Miami, Florida and is in charge of North and South America. The regional director is Mr Heikki Ulvila. An office and service centre in Chile will take care of the South American markets.

The outlook is very promising

Tom Melbye is confident about Normet’s future development. “Normet already has a large range of high-quality machinery and the company’s sales have increased in double digit numbers during recent years. I am sure that taking this major step to become a global player, will not only further enhance Normet’s performance, but will bring us much closer to our customers and enable us to respond more quickly to the ever-changing market demands”.

He also points out that since early 2006 Normet has increased its manufacturing capacity at its Iisalmi plant by over 100 per cent. “We are well prepared for future challenges”, he says. In fact, the investment into manufacturing has already paid off when two months ago Normet concluded the biggest single deal in its history: Altogether 27 pieces of various machines were sold to the Norilsk Nickel operation in Siberia.
“But whatever Normet’s role in the international scene will be, its home base will always remain in Iisalmi. Here are our roots and our manufacturing expertise”, Tom Melbye concludes.

Equipment and services

Normet was founded in 1962 and has since become one of the leading manufacturers of underground equipment for tunnelling and mining applications. Normet’s main products include concrete sprayers, lifting and charging equipment, as well as underground transport vehicles. Normet machines incorporate the most modern technical features combined with professional research and development in close co-operation with customers.

Two years ago, Normet launched its Life Time Care (LTC) concept. With LTC, Normet targets to develop the customer-supplier relationship to a new level. The concept extends the supplier’s interest to follow the machines’ life by offering a lifetime support to customers.

Curricula Vitae

Tom Melbye, Chief Operating Officer of Normet Group and Managing Director of Normet International Ltd. recently joined Normet after a long career with BASF Construction Chemicals. He has over 30 years of experience in underground construction, both as contractor and as supplier of chemical products and equipment. He has been involved in planning, supervision and troubleshooting of important international projects in sprayed concrete, injection, grouting, anchoring, and concreting. He has designed new technologies and has patents for new product systems. Since 1992 he has been an active member of EFNARC (European Federation for Specialist Construction Chemicals and Concrete Systems) and served three years as the president of the federation.

William ‘Bill’ Reid, Regional Director of Region Asia and Managing Director of Normet Asia-Pacific Pty Ltd., has a long experience in civil engineering and business management of concrete, quarrying, construction chemicals, and mining. During his career he has been working in Central Asia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, China, the Middle East, and Australia.

Heikki Ulvila, Regional Director of Region Americas. He has over 30 years of experience in international positions in different continents, particularly in Latin America. For the last two years he has been in charge of Normet’s Life Time Care concept.

Jorma Piironen, Regional Director of the Region Europe, CIS, Africa and the Middle East. He has been with Normet over 20 years and for the last three years he has been in charge of Normet’s global sales.

Editor’s note.

The Normet Group is a Finnish manufacturer of mobile underground equipment used in mining and underground construction. It operates a manufacturing plant in Iisalmi, Finland, with a combined space of 23,000 sqm. The number of employees is 345, and the company’s annual sales come close to 80 million euros. 70 % of the Normet Group are owned by Cantell Oy of which Normet’s Chairman of the Board, Mr Aaro Cantell, is the main shareholder. The remaining 30 % of the company are owned by Vice Chairman of the Board, Mr Anssi Soila, jointly with Normet’s members of Management.

Conference call

Please note that a conference call opportunity is offered to interview Normet key executives free of charge by phone on Thursday, October 11 beginning at 10 am GMT. Those present will be Mr Aaro Cantell, Chairman of the Board, Mr Jari Osmala, President and Mr Tom Melbye, Chief Operating Officer.

To participate in the conference call interview you need to do the following:

• Dial the conference number +358800136716;
• Enter the meeting code 716027 and press #;
• (Wait for the moderator to arrive; you’ll be informed if the moderator is already logged in and the conference can start immediately.)

For additional information please contact:

Jari Osmala, President
Phone +358-400-646 611
Jari.Osmala@normet.fi

Tom Melbye, Chief Operating Officer
Phone: +41-79-449 8555
Tom.Melbye@normet.fi