Borderless co-operation
The Swedish owned lifting equipment manufacturer Liko is an export success. Sapa supports the company on the North American market. Joint presence on the same market results in more satisfied customers and gives Liko a coherent business run from its head office in Northern Sweden, in the region of Norrbotten.
Liko is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of patient lifting equipment for the health and care sector. The company is expanding rapidly on both the domestic market and outside Sweden.
Most of Liko’s export goes to one of its distributors who are located in more than 30 countries. The sales to the North American market has been good for a long time, but the last few years the growth has accelerated considerably and is today at a two-digit level.
Increased benefits through global co-operation
Liko’s customers in North America include several big care corporations running hospitals and long term care facilities.
The customers’ needs are varied and in many cases completely unique. This is why Liko has been looking for innovative logistic solutions in order to improve the availability of “all” functional needs.
As a way of getting closer to the American market as well as shortening the delivery times and to reducing the stocks, Hans Lundgren, the Supply Manager at Liko, has found a solution in co-operation with Sapa:
– In the ceiling lifts business area we have decided to use Sapa’s production facilities and warehouses in the USA, says Hans Lundgren. This shortens the delivery times to customers considerably, which results in a better value for our customers and lets us increase our competitive advantage.
– At the same time, it gives a flexible and attractive total offer, which also makes us a coherent enterprise managed from our Swedish head office located in the north of Sweden. Apart from this, it is an environment friendly solution, since the production and the distribution are effected locally.
Long-term co-operation
Hans Lundgren emphasises the fact that Liko and Sapa have co-operated closely for a long time.
– Sapa is best in aluminium. Thanks to our borderless co-operation, we are now able to satisfy the needs of our customers in the USA even better. We are convinced that this is only the beginning of a future increased business exchange with Sapa. It is a win-win relationship for both us and Sapa, says Hans Lundgren.
About Liko
Liko is the market leader in Scandinavia and has a 20 per cent share of the global market for patient lifts and related accessories. The company has 250 employees, with 130 persons working in its head office in Luleå, Sweden. The sales amount to approx. 400 million kronor and the annual growth is 20 per cent. Most of the income comes from export.
Updated:
2007-05-23