When Nybetong in Kumla built their own concrete plant, they wanted a door that simply works.
“It needs to be as low-maintenance and hassle-free as possible. I’m in charge of all transport logistics, and now I’m running a concrete plant on top of that. I don’t have time for problems,” says Mattias Reinhard, project manager at Nybetong.
Overhead doors require maintenance and service
Mattias has hands-on experience with different types of industrial doors. At home, he has a cheaper brand that works fine for private use.
“But in that case, price mattered more than performance,” he says.
“At other concrete plants where I’ve worked, we had overhead doors with springs that broke constantly. They needed regular greasing and maintenance to function, and that takes time.”
“I want something as low-maintenance and hassle-free as possible. I don’t have time for problems.”
Drove a forklift into an overhead door
At a previous job, Mattias once accidentally damaged an overhead door with a forklift.
“I was just turning around inside the factory when someone hit the button to close the door. I didn’t see it coming down and hit the bottom panel with the truck. The building was left open for three or four days while the door was being repaired,” he recalls.
Inward-opening folding doors require less maintenance
To minimize problems and service calls, Nybetong wanted a folding door that opens inward.
“If you have the space, an inward-opening door is the best option. You avoid snowdrifts blocking the door in winter, which reduces the risk of damage.”
Got advice from a friend in the industry
Mattias collected several quotes and evaluated different options. Then he called a friend who installs and services doors of all brands.
“He recommended a folding door from Torverk because they’re the least problematic and require the least service. He confirmed what I’ve experienced myself: overhead doors typically need more maintenance.”
Cheaper doors cost more in the long run
His friend’s advice weighed heavily, and in the end, Nybetong chose a folding door from Torverk.
“There were both more expensive and cheaper options, but we went with the one we believe will last the longest. I know that the money I might have saved on a cheaper door would’ve been gone in no time if I had to call someone in for service. Servicing a door costs money, but more importantly, it stops production. And that’s even more expensive.”
Facts
Nybetong purchased a 5×5 meter motorized folding door, Q-Door, with sandwich construction. The door is passed around 40 times a day by a large wheel loader transporting 60 cubic meters of concrete between the batching station and production.
About Nybetong
Nybetong, based in Kumla, manufactures precast concrete wall panels, columns, beams, and roof trusses for large buildings. They deliver across Sweden and were part of building Rusta’s central warehouse in Norrköping—one of the country’s largest logistics facilities at 120,000 square meters. They also supply complete concrete frames, including interior walls, for residential buildings.