A lightweight material that is easy to erect and easy to form – these were the main criteria that made aluminium profiles the choice of Norwegian company OB Wiik, for its storage tents and weather protection.
It's headquarters are located in Norway, but OB Wiik sells its products all over the world – at the South Pole, in Siberia, Malmö, Oslo and Hamburg – wherever there is a need for temporary storage or to protect building projects from the wind and weather.
“Moisture during the building stage is one of the biggest problems for the building industry today. That’s why we build more and more under cover. Demand from building contractors and developers is growing,” says Lars Dalgaard, managing director of OB Wiik.
The product that makes this possible is weather protection, which basically consists of a tent that is erected over the building. It can be used for new builds and for roof replacement or extensive renovation projects. As well as eliminating damp problems this solution also creates a better working environment for the builders.
“The weather protection is designed to meet the market’s high demands for flexibility. The framing system for the walls and roof is built using an aluminium beam that Sapa machines and assembles according to our specifications,” says Lars Dalgaard.
He explains that steel was the first choice of material for this type of structure for a long time, but in the last five years OB Wiik as increasingly been using aluminium. Reduced weight is naturally one of the benefits, but Lars Dalgaard also points out that aluminium is easier to form to precisely the shape you desire.
“That’s important for us, as we’ve come up with a special design that makes it easier to attach the tent material to the frame.”
Aluminium profiles are also used as the supporting structure for some of OB Wiik’s storage tents – a flexible alternative for those who need to be able to erect and dismantle storage facilities quickly.
“We’re seeing growing demand for this type of warehouse facility. In many cases it’s a better solution than a traditional building, especially if you’re unsure how long you’ll need storage for, or if you don’t have the resources to buy a permanent warehouse,” says Lars Dalgaard.
Once again aluminium is increasingly replacing traditional steel-framed solutions for this type of product.
“The biggest advantage is speed of erection. If a structure has to be erected and dismantled several times, aluminium is the best choice.”
Text Susanna Lidström