Actiw, a subsidiary of The Joloda Hydraroll Group, recently installed its LoadPlate® semi-automated loading solution at Sverdrup Steel’s new service centre in Denmark. This case study explores how LoadPlate® has revolutionised their loading operations, improving efficiency, reducing costs, minimising product damage, and enhancing safety.
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BOOK NOWWatch how Sverdrup Steel revolutionised their loading process with a semi-automated container loading solution.
See how Actiw's LoadPlate® system helped Sverdrup Steel eliminate product damage, improve loading efficiency, increase employee safety, shorten their loading time from hours to under five minutes, and reduce operational and energy costs.
Sverdrup Steel is a global supplier of stainless steel and nickel-based alloys with over 30 years of expertise in materials technology. Known for quick delivery and high-quality standards, the company serves industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and renewable energy.
Their Stavanger headquarters houses the largest stock and service centre, specialising in high-performance materials compliant with stringent standards like NORSOK and IOGP. With certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001, Sverdrup Steel is a leader in quality and operational excellence.
In early 2024, the company announced its new 13,000 sqm service centre in Hedensted, Denmark, which will be fully operational by January 2025. Strategically located near Europe, Scandinavia, and the UK, the facility will streamline logistics, enhance alloy processing, and demonstrate Sverdrup Steel’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and exceptional service.
Sverdrup Steel faced several challenges in their container loading processes due to the size and weight of their products, with some items weighing several tonnes. Loading these high-performance alloy materials was labour-intensive and time-consuming, often causing inefficiencies and delays. The process also posed safety risks, with personnel manoeuvring heavy goods using forklifts near other machinery, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
Beyond inefficiencies and safety concerns, maintaining product integrity was a critical issue. Previously, Sverdrup relied on forwarders or contractors at harbours for loading operations. Poor handling during this stage sometimes resulted in damaged goods, including exposure to adverse weather conditions. For instance, loading during cold Nordic winters and shipping across the equator often caused temperature fluctuations that led to moisture formation, damaging the steel products.
Sverdrup Steel prioritised product quality, but efficiency, safety, and reliability were equally crucial. To address these challenges, the company sought a system that could optimise loading operations while ensuring consistent quality and modern standards.
Actiw’s LoadPlate® semi-automated loading solution emerged as the perfect fit. It allowed Sverdrup Steel to bring their loading operations in-house, gain full control of the supply chain, and seamlessly integrate the solution into their state-of-the-art facility.
To protect product integrity, Sverdrup installed the LoadPlate® system indoors under a controlled climate. This eliminated risks associated with weather exposure and temperature extremes, ensuring their high-value products are delivered in pristine condition every time.
Actiw’s LoadPlate® met Sverdrup Steel’s needs with several standout features:
The introduction of LoadPlate® has transformed Sverdrup Steel’s loading operations, delivering substantial improvements in efficiency, safety, and cost savings.
The loading process, which once took hours, now takes under five minutes, significantly improving vehicle turnaround times and streamlining supply chain operations. Labour costs have been cut considerably, as the system requires just one operator and eliminates the need for forklifts or external contractors. LoadPlate®’s electric operation also reduces energy costs and environmental impact.
Safety has improved drastically. By reducing the need for personnel near heavy machinery during loading, the system has minimised the risk of accidents. Its precise, automated operation has nearly eliminated product damage, addressing a major pain point with traditional methods.
Loading indoors under a controlled environment has been another game-changer, protecting goods from adverse weather conditions and temperature fluctuations. Sverdrup Steel’s products now consistently arrive at their destination in perfect condition.
With these improvements, LoadPlate® has become an essential part of Sverdrup Steel’s operations, allowing them to maintain their reputation for quality while enhancing efficiency and safety.
Actiw LoadPlate ensures the efficiency and safety of your container loading operations.
When load handling involves manual work, there is a high risk to safety in each step. When you automate the process, you reduce that risk.
Eliminate damage to your products when loading them into trucks or containers. A reliable automatic loading solution keeps your products intact and your end customers satisfied.
Automation eliminates unnecessary work in load handling. A typical loading crew has three members, whereas LoadPlate can be run by a single operator.
LoadPlate significantly reduces your fixed asset costs, replacing a fleet of forklifts with one loading machine.
When stuffing long goods or special cargo, LoadPlate can increase total handling capacity by 33% compared with traditional loading.
LoadPlate generates additional savings by reducing energy consumption. It runs on electricity instead of diesel oil, eliminating harmful emissions.
Mats Benson, Chief Operation Officer at Sverdrup Steel, shared his thoughts:
"LoadPlate has transformed our operations—loading that used to take hours now takes minutes. The reduction in labour and equipment costs has been substantial, and most importantly, we’ve improved safety standards, which is a top priority for us."
Andrii Bichik, Automation Loading Expert at Actiw, added:
"It’s always rewarding to see how our solutions have supported Sverdrup Steel’s new Danish service centre, improving safety and operational efficiency with innovative technology."
The LoadPlate system is especially suitable for loading complex cargo which is typically difficult to containerise, can be easily damaged or requires special shipping units such as open top or flat rack containers.
The installation of LoadPlate® at Sverdrup Steel’s service centre highlights its transformative impact on container loading operations. By addressing inefficiencies, reducing costs, and enhancing safety, LoadPlate® has optimised workflows and reinforced Sverdrup Steel’s position as an innovative industry leader.
For logistics and warehouse managers worldwide, LoadPlate® is a proven solution that ensures efficiency, reliability, and safety in loading operations.
Wondering if our LoadPlate system is right for your company's containers or nonmodified trucks?
Check out our materials below to find out how it can help increase your loading capacity, and decrease your operational costs. Plus, discover the benefits of our LoadPlate system, and how it can be used for your company's operations
Actiw is a part of The Joloda Hydraroll Group and together, specialise in providing innovative loading solutions for freight handling. With over 60 years of experience, our systems—from manual to fully automated—are trusted by industries worldwide. Supported by a global network of engineers and sales partners, we ensure our customers achieve efficient, safe, and cost-effective loading operations.
To learn more, contact us at hello@joloda.com
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During the consultation, a Joloda Hydraroll Group Systems Expert will speak with you about your business' current logistics operations, plans and goals.
We have over 60+ years of experience providing cutting-edge technological solutions to the logistics industry and have helped countless companies around the world lighten their load.
Working with an automated loading system brings with it many advantages for your business. It gives you an opportunity to increase efficiency, enhance worker safety, make room for flexibility and add savings.
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In the scenario that a business produces and ships a high number of pallets each day, we’ve put together an automated loading system typical business case example to help explain the benefits and how an ROI can be achieved with the investment of an automated loading system.
If a business is running a shuttle run from a factory to a warehouse and back again, they’ll benefit from an automated loading system with fewer people, trucks and forklifts.
Around the world, we’re known as the number one; the global leader in loading and unloading solutions. This is not only because we are the largest but also the first too; we've been pioneering loading solutions since 1962.
What truly makes us great is our fantastic product assortment supported by the best partners worldwide. We have an experienced network of 30+ distributors that also support an aftersales network, which is key, especially for automatic loading and unloading.
Learn more about our global distributor network here.
We help businesses lighten loads and are highly regarded as the world's leading loading and unloading solutions provider in the logistics industry. Over the last 60 years, we've helped thousands of businesses streamline their logistics operations to be more cost-efficient, more sustainable, and more health and safety-conscious. Learn more About Us, here.
As experts in all kinds of unloading and unloading solutions, we can help innovate, automate and streamline your end-of-production line problems, wherever you are.
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