Precast – From Enquiry to Finalized Product

Hi again!

Time is running and it is really time for a new post here at the blog. A lot has happened since last time! The focus has been on precast, and I have been working both in production at our plants in Heby and the sales department in Gothenburg.

To start with, I and Emilia from Business Development/IT and our Young Professionals Program have been in Heby at our two precast plants. For two weeks, we were working at the plants, mainly in the actual production, but also got insights into the work at the plant office. This gave us un understanding of the entire chain of activities from drawings, production and delivery planning to the actual production of the precast elements and the delivery of these.

At the plants, we were warmly welcomed. It is a really great team! The first day started with some introduction, and then we joined the work in the production at Heby 1 where we spent the first week. At Heby 1, different products are produced, such as slabs, balconies, solid walls, and half-sandwich walls. Slabs and balconies are also produced at the Lane-Ryr plant, where I spent some time during the autumn, which made it extra interesting as I could compare how we work at the different plants. What is similar and what is different? What can be shared between the plants?

During the second week, we spent a few days at Heby 2, where double-sided walls are manufactured, and a few days at the plant office. Heby 2 is a new and highly automated plant compared to Heby 1 which is a bit older and more manual work is required. At Heby 2 we have a robot to mount the two sides of the walls into one wall. To view this process was really cool – not least when the length of the walls was almost 7 meters(!). At the office, we gained knowledge of the important processes supporting the production.

While driving to Heby and back home we took the opportunity to make stops and short visits at some of our plants for ready-mixed concrete. It was very funny! Once again, we were warmly welcomed, and it felt like our visits were highly appreciated. In addition, it is always nice to meet new people. I will do this kind of visits if getting the opportunity forward.

After the weeks at the Heby plants, I spent a week with the sales team for precast in Gothenburg to get an insight into their work and the first step in a project. I got the opportunity to calculate the amount of each element which is data used when we do tenders. Further, I assisted in making tenders. We did also have time for a visit to a construction site in Gothenburg. A reflection is that, similar to the salesmen for ready-mixed concrete, the salesmen´s at precast task is more comprehensive than closing deals. They are rather working as project managers.

Finally, I think it is very fun and exciting to view and understand different perspectives and the workday for different people and professions. Further, I think it is great knowledge and awareness to bring for the future. Last but not least, as always it is fun to meet and get to know all the great people and colleagues in Team Thomas.

Next up is an extended month at Thomas Concrete Group Finance with an extra focus on PowerBI. Except for the term I have never been in contact with PowerBI before, so I am excited for the upcoming period.

Best, see you in the next post!