"Meeting in person is our number one priority"

– It's a bit of a contrast to the steel. Both hard and soft values, says Heinz Nilsson and smiles.

He is the founder, owner and CEO of HNP Steel Service Center and started the company in 1982 with a single machine that he operated himself. Today, he and his brother Pether Nilsson have 55 employees and their mother, 91 years old, still comes into the company four mornings a week. Often with her home-baked tosca cake, which she made extra for the fair days in Jönköping.

– Last year we were nominated for Gazell company and were also named entrepreneur of the year in the municipality. It's proof that we work the right way, says Annie Ericsson, salesperson.

Wears bands up to 12 mm

With its own railway track right behind the 25,000 square meter facility in Osby, HNP can receive and handle deliveries of 30-ton coils in a safe and efficient manner. Two 5-ton coils with 8 mm sheet metal have been brought to the exhibition floor.

– We tear belts and cut sheet metal in our production. We are the only ones in the Nordics to be able to wear up to 12 mm. It is also unique to us that we can take really large rolls, up to 2000 mm high, which makes production more efficient for both us and our customers. Larger rolls result in fewer stops and generate less scrap and spillage, says Annie Ericsson.

Customer care in focus at the fair

HNP Steel Service Center is a long-standing exhibitor at Elmia Subcontractor. This year they chose to move their participation from the D hall to the A hall.

– It feels like there is a slightly higher pulse here. In addition, we have more steel service centers and industry colleagues around us here in the A hall, which makes it easier for visitors to have everything together, notes Annie. And the main goal of the fair is to have the opportunity to take care of your customers in a slightly more personal way.

 –  Elmia Subcontractor is about customer care for us. Here we meet and discuss future business, and of course there will also be the occasional new contact for us. In the past, it was more a matter of business at the fair. Today we highlight the personal part. That's why we also have a large stand, so that people can come here, sit down and socialize, says Heinz Nilsson.

Caption: HNP Steel Service Center is a privately owned independent steel service center based in Osby. Heinz Nilsson, owner and CEO, together with Annie Ericsson, salesperson.