Mari Blokhus Nordtun

The target group is employees in NWC’s member companies, and the course is free of charge for the companies. We accept both internship candidates (with a minimum of five years of practice) and “Certificate of Apprenticeship” candidates (with a minimum of one year of practice), and the goal is an exam in production technology (PRT3103) in the fall of 2025 with a subsequent professional test.

Collections

Karriere Innlandet has previous experience of similar training, both digital and session-based. Experience and evaluation of previous courses indicate that it is demanding with purely digital sessions. Therefore, the new offer will be a combination of physical sessions (2-4) and sessions on Teams (10-12). Participants must have their own computer for digital sessions and exams. The location of the physical sessions will be determined based on which companies participate, and it may be relevant to have regional sessions in addition to joint sessions.

In 2023, Karriere Innlandet Kongsvinger arranged a vocational certificate course for the woodworking industry, with Sveinar Sætherberget as facilitator and organizer. They are now strengthening the industrial side with the appointment of Jo-Andre Brenna from September 1, and will also draw in resource persons from the industry in certain subject areas.

Costs

The county council provides grants for Fagbrev-på-jobb, and the training itself is therefore free for companies. However, the company is expected to have a contact person/supervisor to assist the candidates. Any remuneration of employees for participation and travel is agreed with the company.

Info meeting

We are now looking for contact with companies that have relevant candidates for apprenticeship training. On Tuesday, September 10 at 8.30-9.00 am, NWC and Karriere Innlandet invite you to an information meeting for companies, contact NWC project manager Karl-Einar Røste for more information:

Karl.einar.roste@nwcluster.no | Mobile 480 06 715

Cluster leader Berit Sanness is very pleased that Innovation Norway is supporting the new “3LYD” project, which will last until 2027. Among other things, the Norwegian Wood Cluster is working to develop the climate-friendly building and housing solutions of the future for growing markets.

Desired by businesses

Building in height is an interesting way to reduce land degradation. Mjøstårnet has shown that it is possible to build high in wood. However, the largest volumes of tall wooden buildings are in the 4-6 storey segment.

The member companies in the Norwegian Wood Cluster have identified solutions for sound (acoustics and vibrations) as one of the main challenges for building wooden buildings up to six storeys high. At the request of the companies, the cluster has therefore initiated a project that can help to achieve preaccepted solutions in the area of sound. The results of the “3LYD” project are expected to be very useful for the companies’ competitiveness.

– “The project idea has been discussed at several meetings of our specialist group ‘Future Building Solutions’ and a large number of companies have subsequently expressed their interest and helped to finalize the project plan, so the project is well anchored,” says cluster leader Berit Sanness in NWC.

Collects completed sound measurements

The project will mainly collect existing sound measurements. These are currently not available to anyone other than the owner of the sound measurements and the company that has performed the sound measurements.

– A prerequisite for access to the sound data is, of course, that the owners of the sound measurements release them for collection in a data bank. We leave that job to those who have carried out the measurements. It will probably also be necessary to obtain supplementary documentation for existing measurements, as far as this is possible, so that, for example, the design solution can be identified,” says Sanness.

Supplementary measurements

In order for the data bank to provide a basis for preaccepted solutions, there is also a need for a large number of new sound measurements. The companies involved will contribute with supplementary measurements according to SINTEF’s template while the project is ongoing.

– In addition, we want to involve bachelor and master students at NTNU. It is also relevant to link an industrial PhD candidate to the project. We think this could be an exciting assignment for the students, who will participate in a project with many companies involved,” says Sanness.

Strong expertise combined

The project group includes resource persons from SINTEF and NTNU, as well as from the companies behind the project. These include ARE Treindustrier AS, Hersleth Entreprenør AS, Hunton Fiber AS, Kontur Arkitekter AS, Norconsult Norge AS, Norsk Massivtre AS, Ny Struktur AS, Oslotre AS and Sweco Norge AS.

– “We’ve brought in top expertise in the field of sound and acoustics. In order to get the best possible data basis, we will also be inviting representatives of other consultancy firms that carry out sound measurements to join the project,” says Sanness, who says that a couple of these consultancy firms have already expressed interest in participating in the “3LYD” project.

Supplier Moicon specializes in digital twins for industry, and has collaborated with the two companies to create a digital “copy” of their industrial operations. Because that’s exactly what a digital twin is: a copy of the building, the machines, the warehouses, the equipment – created in 3D in a digital solution. So you can practice or test processes and changes in a digital world before implementing them. A bit like a computer game, really.

A tool for communication

Bjørn Eriksen of Moicon calls the digital twin a communication tool: “We create a digital replica of your factory, which allows you to communicate visually, which is much more effective,” he explained.

He showed us how visual communication trumps the written word by handing out Lego construction kits with various instructions. Some were given a sheet of paper with text explaining how to build the Lego car. Others received drawings showing the building process step by step. Can you guess who solved the task the fastest?

Enormous help when moving a factory

In 2022, Hapro invested in a lot of new equipment. This, together with a need to optimize production and the flow of goods, led to a decision to rebuild the factory. “We would never have dared to do this without a digital twin,” said factory manager Roy Hansen. With the help of the twin, various layouts for the new factory have been visualized and all employees have been able to provide input from their point of view and their work operation. In addition, all measurements of rooms and equipment are completely accurate.

Many positive effects

– The fact that people recognize themselves in a visual 3D figure offers many advantages. “For example, HSE is taken care of by having escape routes, medicine cabinets and industrial safety in place, and we can simulate ‘what if’ scenarios without spending a lot of time physically moving the processes,” explained LEAN coordinator Inge Storstein, who has been central to the work on the digital twin. He added that the twin is mobile and displayed in a browser.

With the twin, you can also look at the flow between the lines. “We can quickly see where there is a lot of trampling and unnecessary meters, and this has resulted in us creating a new doorway in the factory,” said Roy Hansen.

Development project at Hunton in Gjøvik

Erling Leine is an IT consultant at Hunton, which established a digital twin for its Skjerven factory (wood fiber insulation) in 2022. – “We spent about a week working with Moicon to set up a model of the factory. This was done ahead of a large internal conference for the company, and we asked all employees for suggestions on how the twin could be used,” he said.

The wood industry has large machines that are not moved very often, unlike Hapro or the automotive industry, which have a constant need for changes and rebuilding. But how can a digital twin still be useful?

– “We were quick to suggest using the digital twin for 3D fire drawings. Hydrants and hoses, extinguishers and fire doors were added with so-called “Mark ups” so that you can see them visually well in the digital twin,” explained Leine. “You could then plan fictitious fire drills, lay out hoses and see where the fire brigade can get to, how far the strokes reach and so on.

The operations and maintenance team was also quick to make suggestions, including marking the equipment with green, red or yellow flags depending on the need for maintenance. They would also like to see sensors that can warn of faults and wear and tear – and a digital twin can also be used to train new operators. They can get a picture of the line and visually see what’s where,” said Leine.

At Hunton, there is no shortage of ideas about how the twin can be used as a tool. For quality and reporting, where on the line do errors occur and where do we need more sensors? For project work to plan new lines and machines or simulate traffic from employees and trucks. We see a lot of exciting opportunities with a digital twin, and we’re looking forward to realizing all our ideas and using the twin more actively,” said Leine.

How to get started?

Leine has some clear recommendations for companies considering a digital twin: – “Try out different tools and programs and find something that works for you. Remember that the 3D files are yours to own, so once your buildings and machinery are scanned, they can be imported and exported to different systems (like Moicon). And the threshold is much lower than you think!

The Norwegian Wood Cluster administration recently visited Bergene Holm’s new flagship in Hof in Vestfold. There we were presented with the new cutting plant, which is connected to a sophisticated system of sorting pockets to sort lumber according to the customer’s exact order.

As little waste as possible

– “At Bergene Holm, we are committed to sustainability, and here we have taken an important step to reduce the amount of waste in the value chain,” says Sustainability Manager Hege Voll-Midtgaard at Bergene Holm.

She explains that on average, an element factory has 5-6% waste, while waste on construction sites can be as high as 25%.

– In addition, we cut away an average of 2.5% when we go from falling lengths provided by the forest to foot-cut loads requested by Bergene Holm’s customers. These are resources that should have been better utilized, and we have done something about it through the EKSAKT concept,” says Voll-Midtgaard.

Committed to product development and innovation

– “We work continuously with product development and innovation. In recent years, there has been a particular focus on waste-free construction sites, which is the reason for our investment in EKSAKT,” says Innovation Manager Mona Gran Sukke, Bergene Holm.

She explains that they have seven decreasing lengths lying in front of the saw in order to optimize cutting in the new facility. These seven lengths are optimized against several cutting orders, so that the cutting machine can always utilize each wooden plank with the least possible waste. In this way, all raw materials are utilized with minimal waste in the company’s own production, at the same time as no waste is delivered to the next link in the value chain.

– With the new facility, we can deliver exact lengths, exact labeling, exact packaging and delivery. The goal is exact assembly in industrial production and on major construction sites. With EKSAKT, waste on construction sites is minimal,” says Gran Sukke.

Important to reduce waste

– “It’s very interesting to see how Bergene Holm has found a way to minimize waste at the construction site, in element production and in its own industry. In the waste pyramid, this is the top level, so they have taken the measure that has the greatest value and found a solution to it,” says cluster manager Berit Sanness in Norwegian Wood Cluster.

At Bergene Holm’s Haslestad plant, the company is gearing up for growth. Almost NOK 250 million is being invested in new raw material sorting, new drying channels and a new intake at the adjustment plant, in addition to the EKSAKT cutting plant. When we have completed all this, Haslestad will be lifted to a capacity of 400,000 m3 of timber.

Architect Julie Gedde-Dahl, Lillehammer, comes from the position of project manager and partner at LPO Arkitekter. She has a master’s degree in architecture from NTNU and has solid experience in project management and process management from large complex projects such as airports, schools and office buildings.

Julie Gedde-Dahl has worked closely with developers, contractors and technical disciplines, and has been responsible for teams, budgets, progress and implementation. She has also worked extensively with design concepts and the use of materials. She will now bring this experience into the cluster.

Likes interdisciplinary approach

– Even though I’m happy where I work today, I’m now motivated to move into a new role. I really like the cluster’s vision of providing the world with innovative and sustainable building solutions in wood and would like to contribute to that process. I experience the vision as both forward-looking and meaningful,” says Julie Gedde-Dahl.

She has 21 years of experience in the architectural industry and has solid expertise and experience that will be useful for Norwegian Wood Cluster. She is currently heavily involved in New Airport Mo i Rana. She has led the interaction phase, pre-project and sub-project and has been project manager since 2022.

– “I enjoy working across disciplines so that we can benefit from each other’s expertise in projects. I think this will fit nicely in the role I’m about to take on at Norwegian Wood Cluster,” says Julie Gedde-Dahl.

Strengthening the focus on wooden structures

– “I’m very pleased that Julie has agreed to become our new project manager. She has strong expertise and relevant experience. In addition, she has a personal drive that fits very well into the job of project manager with us,” says cluster manager Berit Sanness.

– “We want to promote our work in timber structures. After all, this is the core of the tasks of the specialist group “Future building solutions”. With Julie’s expertise and experience, we will significantly strengthen this focus. I therefore have great expectations that we will get a boost in this area and warmly welcome Julie to the cluster,” says Sanness.

The new project manager will join Norwegian Wood Cluster on January 1, 2025.

Joint boost for moisture-proof solid wood buildings

The two clusters are now joining forces to apply for funding for a new industry guide – an important initiative to reduce the risk of moisture damage in solid wood buildings. Moisture can be a demanding challenge that in the worst case leads to costly repairs and weakened structures.

– We see that demand for solid wood is increasing in line with the green transition. So it’s crucial that we build with quality and longevity. This guide will help the entire industry to prevent moisture in a comprehensive way,” says Niklas Pedersen, project manager at CCC.

A guide for the entire value chain

The planned guide will gather experience from both Norwegian and international players and provide practical advice for everyone involved in building with solid wood, from architects and consultants to contractors and developers. The aim is to create a common understanding and methodology for how moisture can be prevented throughout the building’s life cycle, from planning and design to operation and maintenance.

– “We want to make it easy for everyone in the value chain to make the right choices. With this guide, we can avoid expensive mistakes and at the same time raise the quality of solid wood buildings in Norway,” says Berit Sanness, cluster leader in Norwegian Wood Cluster.

The work so far

Throughout the spring, CCC has arranged three initial meetings with members. 15 different companies – including architects, consultants, contractors, fire consultants and building physicists – have shared valuable input on what the guide should contain. Among the topics highlighted are the need for clear understanding of roles, better interdisciplinary collaboration and concrete measures for quality assurance in all project phases.

Bringing the industry together

The two clusters are now applying for innovation funding from Akershus County Council, with a deadline of September 1, 2025. In this connection, members are invited to join an interdisciplinary reference group that will provide input to the guide along the way.

– “This is a unique opportunity to share experiences and help lift the industry together. We want a reference group that represents the entire breadth of the professional environments,” says Niklas Pedersen.

Aanesland Treindustri specializes in turning and milling large items, but the factory has very varied production, including flagpoles. Exports account for about 25%, mainly deliveries of playground equipment and masts for boats. The factory moved into new wooden premises in 2022.

– Naturally, we chose wood for the new industrial building. This reduced CO2 emissions by 42%, so even though the building was about 10% more expensive, we made a conscious choice here. It’s positive for employees to work in an environmentally friendly building and many people come to see the building,” says the chairman, who explains that all building components are labeled to enable future reuse.

– We have experienced that wooden hubs meet resistance from engineers, but these types of solutions were made by our ancestors, so it must be possible now too. Aanesland Treindustri is one of the partners in the “SirkTRE” project, and we are keen to develop new solutions that can also be dismantled. In order to deliver to the new Viking Museum, we developed a new solution for the roof, with a large number of different parts. It was fun to develop and deliver that solution,” says chairman Gunnar Adolf Aanesland.

The webinar was organized by the project “Inno4Tree – Climate change with innovation in the forest-based industries” where Norwegian Wood Cluster is part of the reference group.

The meeting was opened by deputy head of research Håkon Endresen Normann from NIFU, who talked about the Inno4Tree project (see fact box). Among other things, he referred to the challenges that arise due to a lack of coordination between policy areas – something the Office of the Auditor General of Norway has also pointed out as a challenge in combating climate change.

Eivind Selvig, partner at Civitas, was then invited to talk about the climate and environmental requirements and the exemption rule that makes it possible to go from award criteria to requirement specifications. He talked about what the requirement means for buyers and suppliers, and showed what procurement documents and supplier documentation can look like in practice. He also painted a picture of the future, where we can expect regulations that set limits for greenhouse gas emissions in buildings, as has already been introduced in Denmark.

Lise Dufset Urset is head of environment and climate in Hamar municipality, and she shared experiences from the municipality’s market dialogue with contractors and recycling companies. Hamar municipality has entered into a dialog with the players to establish criteria for climate and environment in procurement of buildings and facilities – to find the best solutions and ensure that local businesses can participate in the competitions.

Over the course of 2024, our project team has traveled around Inland Norway and held countless meetings with players in the construction industry. We are undoubtedly an industry with a great responsibility for the climate and nature, and we know that the most climate-friendly building is the one that is never built. At the same time, we need buildings to live, work, learn, be cared for, be healthy, meet and thrive in.

Share, learn, inspire

So how can we build what we need in a way that has the least possible negative impact on nature and the climate? The picture is complex, and there is no recipe or formula. So the prescription for this project has been to SHARE knowledge and experience, and INSPIRE to change, and to try and fail.

And it is precisely this willingness to learn and share that has made the biggest impression throughout this year of webinars, professional gatherings and meetings. Builders, contractors, consultants, architects, building product manufacturers and recyclers have willingly shared their knowledge and practical experience of processes and materials. And the participation in the professional webinars and the response to the newsletter has shown that people want to learn more.

Some experiences and thoughts we have had throughout the year:

o There is a great deal of interest in and search for knowledge, especially about reuse and rehabilitation, greenhouse gas calculations and material knowledge.

o Collaboration throughout the value chain is crucial to speed up sustainable construction processes. We need regular meeting places to share good and bad experiences, discuss solutions, opportunities and risks.

o The myth that building climate-friendly is more expensive is still alive. We need to share the good examples that this is not always true – and take operating costs and lifetime into account (Life Cycle Analyses LCA and Life Cycle Costs LCC).

o Many businesses, especially smaller developers and municipalities, may find it difficult to take financial risks. That’s why we need good incentive schemes for risk relief, so that more people dare to take the lead and try out new solutions and establish new and more climate-friendly practices. At present, there are few such schemes.

o Property developers in the rental market often choose certification because they believe it will pay off in a future rental market. On the other hand, public sector developers building and renovating purpose-built buildings such as schools and nursing homes (which will not be rented out) can achieve just as good results without certifying the building. By taking the right steps in terms of reuse, use of materials and construction solutions that make the buildings last longer and can be adapted to future uses.

o Developers and tenants have great power in their orders. By expressing clear requirements for sustainability in the projects at an early stage, there is a great opportunity to influence the end result.

o Many municipalities have good climate plans and, in accordance with the procurement rules, must weight climate and environmental considerations by 30%. Here it is important to include local suppliers in the dialog to ensure that they are able to deliver.

o In order to succeed with the reuse of building materials, the Inland Region needs to build systems in the form of reuse centers and resource databases.

2025: Meeting places and more knowledge

We are following up on our own promise to establish a regular meeting place for the construction industry in Inland Norway, twice a year. The first meeting will take place on April 2 in Hamar and will focus on reuse and greenhouse gas calculations. There will be professional presentations, but also collaboration and plenty of time to mingle and talk during the breaks. Because we know that change and development require collaboration. The second professional gathering will be held in October, time and place not yet determined.

In early February, we invite you to a webinar on how new forms of collaboration in the early phase can make a big difference to the achievement of goals in projects with specific objectives.

Last but not least, we would like to thank you for your cooperation in 2024 and wish you a happy new year!

Greetings project Climate friendly buildings Innlandet v/ project group

Eivind, Marit, Christopher and Mari