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LIGHTWEIGHT
NEW TECHNOLOGY
INNOVATION
- After four years of development of refugee houses -
Now Safeman produces
thousands in lightweight!
Recently the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR and the IKEA Foundation informed about ”Better
Shelter,” a solution to the great need for temporary
housing for refugees in the world. It is for small houses
of 17.5 sqm delivered in two flat packages that can be
assembled without special tools in a matter of hours
and provide shelter for a family.
Safeman in Olofström have participated in the four-year
development and recently even started producing the
walls and ceiling to the first 10,000 houses. Safeman
have employed 14 people and invested in a new production line for lightweight housings.
-This Is a fantastic project that we are proud and excited to be a part of, says Stephan Bengtsson, CEO at
Safeman AB.
-This Project is confirmation that Safeman is a
knowhow-company which can be an active partner
in qualified development. Also that we can produce
cost-effectively in the global competition.
- On top of the pride and Joy in being a part of this
project, our lightweight expertise increased further, says
Stephan Bengtsson. It has great commercial importance.
Low weight is a very focused area in the entire automotive industry. We are now increasing and upgrading our
capabilities in this area.
We have worked with the focus to both produce and
develop products for many years. We have among others developed train seats in a corresponding manner in
close cooperation with a client.
-That we bring our expertise early in the development
process means that the end result can be optimized
using a holistic approach that includes everything from
the quality and functionality of the product, logistics and
overall economy.
”I very much welcome the development prospects of
the company, and the success of lightweigthhouse project gives us very positive and important attention”, says
Stephan Bengtsson.
PROJECT WITH MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS
-Refugee houses is a project with multiple dimensions. The
purpose; to provide shelter to people displaced, is of course
highly motivating for everyone involved. That Safeman four
years ago, was asked by the Better Shelter to be a partner
in the development, was, of course, an honor. Better Shelter
believed in our expertise in plastics and the potential of our
development work. And now, to even get the first order of 10
000 houses is of course the best proof we could get.
”You have to pinch your self in the arm and ask whether it is
really true”, says a pleased Stephan Bengtsson..
LONG LIST OF REQUIREMENTS
The project was launched with a long list of functional
requirements. Low weight and low cost were fundamental
- the more cost-effective solution, the more refugees can
get a roof over their head.
Among the requirements were:
• Resist harsh climate such as; extreme cold, extreme heat,
sandstorms, rain and strong wind.
• Have good insulation and also good ventilation.
• Have a life expectancy of at least three years
• Consist of parts that can be used even after the house is
dismantled.
We are accustomed to long lists of requirements. But this task
was extreme. ”This has required that we, together with a manufacturer developed a completely new set of materials and
new production technologies”, says Stephan Bengtsson.
After two years of work, we had a prototype house, which
has since been tested with refugee families in Ethiopia and
Iraq. The development has continued, but the original houses
are still standing and working.
UPGRADES AND INCREASES CAPACITY
Safeman now produces walls and ceilings which are then
shipped to locations where packets are supplemented so that
the house can be delivered in two packages of 70 kg each to
places where they are needed. Safeman have employed 14
people for this production and invested in a new production
line.
The production capacity is 30,000 houses a year, which can
provide about 150 000 refugees a reasonably adequate housing - ”a home away from home” as the Better Shelter puts it.
During the summer, the first houses to be on site.
You can find more information at:
www.safeman.se • www.bettershelter.org,
Or Contact Stephan Bengtsson tel.: +46 454 97009, E-mail:
[email protected]
Östra Ringvägen 209, 293 40 Olofström, Sweden
+46-454-970 00, [email protected]