Annual Report 2012

Headquarters
Park Allé 345
2605 Brøndby
Denmark
Tel.+45 43 26 70 00
Fax+45 43 26 70 11
[email protected]
forcetechnology.com
FORCE Technology Sweden AB
Tallmätargatan 7
721 34 Västerås
Sweden
Tel.+46 (0)21-490 3000
Fax+46 (0)21-490 3001
[email protected]
FORCE Technology - Annual Report 2012
FORCE Technology
FORCE Technology Norway AS
Nye Vakåsvei 32
1395 Hvalstad
Norway
Tel.+47 64 00 35 00
Fax+47 64 00 35 01
[email protected]
Annual Report
2126-10-en
Contents
Management’s review
FORCE Technology is prepared for further growth
through historically high investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Key figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
About FORCE Technology 2
6
FORCE Technology in brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Business areas From the passing year
8
12
The world’s largest calibration loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Aalborg CSP A/S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
New offshore center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Hvide Sande Havn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Test of cables in frost and wind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Hvidovre Hospital & Skare Meat Packers . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Northern Gateway Pipelines Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Drinking water in Bangladesh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
CO2 in waste incineration plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Sensor based sorting of waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
MarineShaft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Spillehallen.dk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Institute of Engineering Thermophysics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Offshore Supply enhances qualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Friends Arena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Simulator based waste-to-energy processes . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Søeberg’s Fruit plantation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
National Oilwell Varco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Re-bag A/S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Extract of the Consolidated
Annual Report 32
Board of directors &
management 36
Addresses 40
Management’s review
Erik Søndergaard
Chairman of the Board
2
Ernst Tiedemann
Chief Executive Officer
FORCE Technology is prepared for
further growth through historically high
investments
After the crisis in 2009 and 2010 with necessary adjustments to market conditions FORCE Technology is now
ready for further growth.
Denmark has continuously high
development and innovation efforts and
also moderate growth in turnover and
significant increase in result
The individual geographic markets have developed very
differently – some very positively and some declining –
whereas the net growth in the activity only accounted for
4.5% at group level.
FORCE Technology Denmark has in 2012 achieved a turn­
over of MDKK 704 – an increase of 1.7% compared to
2011. In 2012 we have established a second company in Singapore. The company will be working primarily with testing
technology.
In 2012 we have decided more than MDKK 130 in long
term investments – the highest yearly level ever.
Innovation efforts are continuing and will continue at a
high level.
The testing business is being focused from manual testing
to high technological automated testing on the global market in selected segments. FORCE Technology is now positioned even stronger in Danish offshore energy activities. Lindø Offshore Renewable
Center (LORC) has preferred FORCE Technology as partner in Lindø Welding Technology A/S (LWT A/S), where
­FORCE Technology owns 49% of the company. This means
that LWT’s 32 KW fiber laser in combination with FORCE
Technology’s established laser center in Brøndby, today is
the most complete laser welding system in Europe. FORCE
Technology is also preferred partner in the component- and
foundation testing center, which is planned to start up in
2013. FORCE Technology is involved in the executive management of LORC as well as in the national cluster “Danish Offshore Energy”.
Increase in turnover and profit
The group turnover in 2012 was MDKK 1,141 against
MDKK 1,092 in 2011, representing an overall increase of
4.5%. The increase in turnover covers a significantly de­
crease in the Swedish turnover and an equivalent in­crease
in the Norwegian turnover and a moderate turnover
growth in Denmark.
The Group’s operating profit for 2012 was MDKK 43.7
against MDKK 50 in 2011. Given the different market conditions the result has been satisfactory in both the Danish,
Norwegian and Swedish part of the Group.
A satisfactory development, seen in the light of the fact
that manufacturing companies in Denmark over the past
few years have moved approximately 30% of their produc­
tion to countries where production costs are significantly
lower than in Denmark.
The result of the operating profit in 2012 was MDKK 28.4,
which is 53% better than in 2011.
Besides a satisfactory activity and revenue growth, FORCE
Technology recognized development costs of approximately MDKK 15 directly through the profit and loss statement.
This, together with the externally financed development
cost, leads to the fact that FORCE Technology continues to
exercise a high development and innovation effort for the
benefit of our customers.
Our increased focus on an even greater commitment to
small and medium sized Danish companies has been a success and given us a larger market share.
A middle year in Sweden
The turnover for FORCE Technology Sweden AB was MDKK
201 – a decrease of 17% compared to 2011. Correspondingly the result from operating activities is MDKK 3.6
against MDKK 33.5 in 2011. The development in activities as well as result was expected. We expect a higher demand in 2013, for which
reason we have sustained the high capacity/competency
in 2012.
Norway increases activity level and result
significantly
The turnover for FORCE Technology Norway AS amounts
to MDKK 273, which is an increase on approximately 36%
compared to 2011. A slight part of the increase is due to
purchase of two small NDT-businesses. The result from
operating activities was realized at MDKK 17 which is 20%
better than in 2011.
3
Management’s review
Strategy for significant European knowledge centre – with Scandinavian origin –
seen in the light of the global crisis
Since 2000 the Group has stuck to pursuing its growth
strategy as regards activities – the turnover in 2000 was
approximately MDKK 400 and MDKK 1,141 in 2012 – as
well as regards applications. The strategy has proven sustainable, also in times of crisis. This way we fulfil our tasks
for society, enabling us to keep servicing our customers
with optimum technological services. While maintaining a
responsible financial development, we keep the Group fit
for the future regarding knowledge and financing.
Moreover, FORCE Technology will continue to focus on
strengthening internal competences – also in commercial
terms – to be able to continue to meet the demands from
the market. Extensive focus is therefore still on management skill development in 2013.
All together the adjusted strategy will help ensure that
FORCE Technology is able to position itself more clearly
and with more significance and greater effect among the
five most influential knowledge and technology centres in
Europe in the prioritised competency and business areas.
FORCE Technology works globally
This is especially important at a time of crisis. FORCE Technology is financially solid and can – even in times of crisis
– raise the necessary capital for both promising innovative
applications as well as its own growth.
The message for 2013 is that FORCE Technology will continue to ”ease the accelerator”, as regards pro-active acquisitions, but we will continue to focus on organic growth, at
the top as well as the bottom lines – with due consideration to becoming the most outstanding knowledge centre
within our core competences.
The objective is hereby to adapt, strengthen and streamline
the organisation to take advantage of the current opportunities in a globalised world of rapid change and continual
temporary crisis. On the short term, FORCE Technology works on a number
of special initiatives aimed at strengthening and enhancing
efficiency in the total organisation regarding competences
and resources and efficient cost management. Further­
more, focus is put on maintaining existing customers and
benefit from the possibilities of a continuously fragile ­market,
which we expect will slowly improve.
FORCE Technology participates regularly in the special initiatives of the Danish Agency for Science Technology and
Innovation – The Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation for supporting innovation of the “new” regional
Denmark. This work has developed the cooperation with
the regional knowledge centres, and through this coope­
ration with the regional players we have distributed even
more knowledge and technology to small and medium
sized companies in Denmark for the benefit of Danish
companies’ international competitive performance.
4
With all the planned and already initiated strategic mea­
sures FORCE Technology feels well prepared for exploiting
future possibilities and managing new challenges in a ­global
market that assumes great flexibility, competitiveness and
financing abilities – also in times of crisis.
The Group expects that the strategically important market
to FORCE Technology within the energy sector in 2013 will
continue the positive development, however with a declining rate of growth. At group level FORCE Technology expects a growth in line with 2012, e.g. by focusing on sale of
wider ranges of services and products for the customers in
the energy sector and other growth markets – for example
Singapore and China.
Furthermore the global challenge on sale of our own automated testing services will increase the opportunities of
growth.
As a result of the performed measures focused on streng­
thening the organisation, the productivity, the competences
and the profitability in the Group, FORCE Technology expects a stable 2013.
The total effort will ensure continued technological and
commercial development and success – for the customers,
the employees and the Group.
Brøndby, 1 March 2013
Erik Søndergaard
Chairman of the Board
Ernst Tiedemann
Chief Executive Officer
Key figures
Turnover
Turnover per employee
MDKK
TDKK
1200
1000
1000
800
800
600
600
400
400
200
200
0
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
0
2008
2009
Turnover abroad
Capital and reserves
MDKK
MDKK
700
350
600
300
500
250
400
200
300
150
200
100
100
50
0
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
0
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2010
2011
2012
Profit for the year
MDKK
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
2008
2009
5
About FORCE Technology
Number of employees
at the beginning of 2013
Academic staff: 297
Other technical staff: 762
Administration: 202
Total: 1,261
6
FORCE Technology in brief
As one of the leading technological consulting and service companies in Denmark and internationally, we make a targeted effort to sell highly specialised engineering knowledge for
practical and cost-effective solutions to a wide range of businesses and industries.
As a customer with FORCE Technology not only do you gain
access to one of the largest knowledge banks in Europe
within development of new know-how and technologies,
you also gain access to a widely branched out knowledge
network which is trendsetting in a number of business
areas. Equipped with this base and bearing in mind each
individual customer’s needs and goals, we are able to
provide services that turn knowledge and experience into
innovative solutions and value adding activities that not
only meet the customer’s demands but also strengthens
his competitiveness.
Our consultancy, technologies and products are based on
the customer and industrial insight that we have acquired
over more than 70 years. We are more than 1,200 employ­
ees located at the headquarters in Brøndby and in subsidiaries all over Denmark and in the subsidiaries in Sweden,
Norway, Russia, China and Singapore.
A GTS company
The Danish GTS network, i.e. the network of nine Approved
Technological Service companies is of utmost importance
to both large and small Danish companies by sustaining
their possibilities for development and innovation. As one
of the nine GTS companies, our task is to provide technological service that optimises the competitive framework
conditions of the Danish business world as a whole; we
encourage further innovation, development and resource
optimisation at the benefit of businesses and the Danish
society as a whole. We do so through cooperation in research, development and innovation projects and we act
as matchmakers between the Danish business world and
the public system of knowledge as a whole.
Employees
FORCE Technology is an exciting workplace characterised
by high-technology services, products and consultancy
­based on the most recent breakthroughs and research find­
ings. This imposes very high demands on our employees
who are among the most competent and respected. They
contribute to a working environment that encourages creativity and innovation – and they create development and
dynamics through cooperation across the organisation. Vision
It is our vision to be the customers’ preferred cooperation partner in projects involving
extensive specialised knowledge. We wish to participate in the projects from the initial
concept until delivery of the turnkey project. At completion, we document that the
customer will gain the expected functionality, efficiency and value-generation.
Mission
It is our mission to develop and market value adding technologies, solutions and
services that improve our customers’ competitiveness in Denmark and abroad – and
thus help customers fulfil their business goals and visions.
7
Business areas
We have divided our business into ten areas
each with its specialist knowledge and
competences, areas cooperating from case to
case in cross-organisational project teams.
They ensure the road from knowledge
to value for the customers and that each
individual customer is always provided with
the most qualified solution.
Materials & welding
With Denmark’s most extensive material
technological competences at our disposal we provide consultancy, we develop
and analyse materials and structures. We
combine highly professional knowledge
with impartiality and fast response, e.g. in failure and damage cases. In welding
we provide consultancy, development
and certification within all aspects of
weld technical production. We master all
well-known welding methods from arc to
laser welding. Examples of services within
materials and welding respectively are:
Materials:
• Specialist knowledge within metals
and concrete
• Material selection, characterisation
and testing
• Failure analyses and damage
investigation
• Corrosion measurements and
protection and surface treatments
• Condition assessments and on-site
material analyses.
• Training and education (Approved
EWF-training centre)
• Laser processing and surface
treatment
• Certification of welders
• Pilot production
• Pressure testing
• Thermal spraying.
Welding:
• Welding technology and quality
control of welding
• International troubleshooting/
consultancy services
• Design and calculation
Integrity management
Integrity management deals with optimisation of industrial systems/plants
offshore and onshore, so that these
systems comply with current standards
and provide the optimum through all
of their service lifetimes. This requires
extensive data collection and analysis
with the purpose of identifying the
measures to be taken to ensure safe
and optimum performance. Examples
of our services:
• Structural integrity
• Material and corrosion management
• Cathodic protection and verification
• Inspection and monitoring services
• Maintenance management
• Pipeline integrity management
• Consulting services within asset
integrity.
machine etc. Our maritime products
include advanced simulators for offi­
cers’ training and failure investiga­
tions. Examples of services:
• Hydro- and aerodynamic optimisation of ships’ performances
• Simulator systems
• On board systems for itinerary
planning, fuel optimisation etc.
• Harbour layout evaluation
• Human factors based design of
systems
• Wind loads and dynamics of
buildings and bridges.
Examples of services:
• All types of non-destructive testing
(NDT)
• Production and condition
a­ ssessment especially of welded
structures, pressure vessels and
piping
• Mechanical material testing
• Product testing, as regards
­CE-marking
• Training of NDT operators. (Product certification and certification
of NDT operators, through FORCE
Certification A/S).
Maritime industry
Provide consulting services in connection with hydro- and aerodynamic
designs of ships, harbours, offshore
platforms, buildings, bridges etc. In
addition, we provide advanced and
extensive in-service training courses
focusing on e.g. vessel handling, decision processes, communication and
the inter-relations between man and
Inspection & testing
Provide a wide range of inspection,
testing and consultancy services. The
main purpose of our services is to ensure quality and that the properties of
structures and products comply with
specific requirements, e.g. standards,
statutory regulations or EU directives. 9
Business areas
Metrology, chemical analysis & management systems
Our services within metrology include:
• Verification and calibration of equipment and references within volume,
density, weighing, flow, temperature,
force, pressure and torque
• Sale and calibration of weights
• Sale of flow metres
• E-marking of pre-packed goods
• Type approval of measuring ­equipment
• Consulting and training within
metrology. Our metrology services
are accredited by DANAK.
Within this field we also conduct:
• Verification of gambling machines
with winnings
• Verification of roulettes
• Inspection of public amusements and
entertainments
• Certification of online games
• Supervision of tachograph workshops
• Service of tachograph equipment
• Training of mechanics (tachographs).
The main purpose of the abovementioned services is to ensure quality and
safety acc. to specific requirements, e.g. requirements in standards and official
regulations.
Furthermore, we provide servicing of cargo systems in gas tank vessels, including:
• Calibration and service of pressure
and temperature equipment and level
gauges
• Service of alarm systems and gas
detectors
• Calibration and restoration of safety
valves
• Service on DW pumps and cargo
compressors
The services within chemical analyses
include:
• Polymers – consultancy, analysis and
characterisation
• Danish Assay Office: inspection and
analysis
• Customs analyses
• Surface characterisation and analyses
• Metals analyses
• Trace elements analyses
• Personal protection – test
• Fireworks – test and analysis
• Emission measurements – analyses
• Combustibles, cinders and ashes:
analyses and characterisation
• Technical water – analyses.
The services within management sys­
tems include consultancy and train­ing
within the areas:
• Quality management systems
– ISO 9000
• Environmental management systems
– ISO 14001
• Work environment management
– DS/OHSAS 18001 a.o.
• Energy management
• Audit
• Lean
• Food safety and hygienic design
• Validation
• CO2 verification
• Innovation
• CSR – ISO 26000 and DS 26001
• Business development.
Sensor & NDE innovation
Provide a wide range of technological
consultancy services and solutions with
the purpose of optimising and rendering the customers’ productivity more
efficient. We are world leaders when
it comes to applying the most modern
and advanced sensor technologies, e.g. use of sensors in production processes
for identifying and reducing production
errors or in connection with quality con-
trol and documentation. Examples of
services:
• Development of customised sensor
solutions within ultrasound, x-rays
and microwaves, etc.
• Development of procedures and
equipment for ultrasonic and eddy
current inspections
• Software solutions for planning,
execution and documentation of
automated inspection
• Ultrasonic hydrophones
• Tracer tests in process industry,
offshore and in purifying plants
• Research and development in
measuring methods, sensors and
non-destructive testing (NDT).
develops equipment for reduction of
campylobacter and salmonella in fresh
chicken. Furthermore, the technology
is undergoing development in a number of non-food areas. SonoSteam®
may be applied for:
• Fresh meat
• Cheese
• Eggs
• Cereal grains and seeds
• Cleaning of processing equipment
and packaging.
SonoSteam®
SonoSteam® is an efficient and chemical free solution for reducing bacteria, mould fungus and viruses. The
patented technology is based on a
­nozzle, which under high steam pressure creates ultrasound. The combination of steam and ultrasound efficiently reduces bacteria. SonoSteam®
10
Training & courses
In most positions today, it is required
that you are able to acquire new knowledge fast and apply it to create new
results. In our courses, we help you
­apply such theoretical knowledge to
your job functions. We have an experienced staff of teachers at our disposal
who meet your specific demands for
sparring and training within our wide
range of subject areas that comprise:
• Work environment
• Audit
• Corporate social responsibility
• Energy, climate and environment
• Food safety
• Human factors
• Chemistry and polymers
• Control of pressurised equipment
and lifts
• Corrosion and materials technology
• Quality management
• Lean
• Odour and emissions
• Maritime industry
• Metrology
• Inspection/NDT
• Statistics
• Welding and welding inspection
• Transportation
• Water treatment
• Maintenance.
operation optimisation
• Design of energy saving projects
• Risk assessment of technical
energy systems
• Combustion and gasification of
biomass and waste
• Air pollution and emission reduction
• Design of De-NOX systems for the
onshore and maritime industries
• Industrial fluid mechanics
• Energy marking
• Environmental assessment of
products and processes
• CO2 statements and reduction
studies.
3834, USCG-life saving jackets, CO2
verification)
• System certification (quality, envi­
ronment, work environment, quality
modules within EU directives etc.)
• Inspection according to national
legislation (pressure vessels and
lifts).
(IAB/IIW). We have been approved by
the United States Coast Guard (USCG)
for certification of lifesaving jackets. Energy, climate & environment
Our technological services address
the challenges with which society is
presented – optimisation of the energy
consumption and reduction of envi­
ronmental and climate loads. We work
with R&D, consultancy and services
within the areas of combustion, emissions, energy optimisation and envi­
ronment assessments. Examples of
services:
• Consultancy on energy systems’
FORCE Certification A/S
Our services are provided at an
internationally accepted level and in
accordance with EN 45000 and the
ISO/IEC 17000 standard-series and
are accredited by DANAK. We provide
certification and inspection within five
main areas:
• Person certification (welders and
NDT operators)
• Conformity assessment services EU
directives (authorised body number
0200 – PED, TPED, SPVD, LD, PPE,
CPD, MarED, PyrAD, MID, NAWI)
• Product certification (EN 1090, ISO
FORCE Certification A/S is approved as
Danish Authorised National Body (ANB)
for welders’ training programmes under
the European Welding Federation (EWF)
and International Authorization Board
11
From the passing year
2012 has been an exciting year in terms of
many different customer and development
tasks as well as investments in new
technology.
In a selection of cases, we describe the
highlights from some of our many customer
assignments during 2012. E.g. you may
learn about, how we helped MarineShaft
by facilitating repair of rudders and
propellers onsite, and you may read about
a new simulator, which we developed for
optimisation of the operation of waste-toenergy plants.
It is important for our customers to have
access to the newest technologies at the
market and thus in 2012, we extended our
facilities to include a new climatic wind
tunnel and a new high pressure laboratory
for calibration of natural gas metres,
and we also have invested in advanced
analysis equipment.
Read on and learn about some of our
customer assignments, development projects
and investments in 2012.
12
The world’s largest calibration loop for
calibration of natural gas metres
The increasing global demand for calibra­
tion of gas metres at high pressure has led
to FORCE Technology erecting the world’s
largest calibration loop for calibration of
natural gas metres. The system will be ready for operation by the middle of 2013.
Exact measurements of gas flow provide
correct price settlements
It is extremely important that the gas flow meters show as
exact measurements as possible. Every year, gas amounting
to billions of Euros flow through the large metres applied for
settlement when the gas crosses frontiers. Even if the metres’ inaccuracy percentage is as low as e.g. 0.5 it will result
in huge errors in the settlement amounts.
sioned for a pressure of up to 65 bar and a flow of no less
than 32,000 m3/h.
The heart or rather the hearts of the system consist in two
parallel connected high pressure blowers, each producing
16,000 m3/h and circulating the gas in the loop at a variable
pressure from 3 - 65 bar. The high pressure blowers are driven by two 900 kW engines
which makes it possible to calibrate metres with diameters of
up to 750 mm in the system.
New international primary system
In-house developed technology
FORCE Technology is close to completing a primary system,
which generates the unit m3/h, and which is to provide trace­
ability to the new high pressure calibration system minimising the calibration inaccuracy to the absolute minimum.
The new system will be built with FORCE Technology’s inhouse developed technology, where natural gas is circulated
in a closed loop. Already in 2004, we began using the first
system with this technology and we established a prototype
system, which circulates up to 6500 m3/h natural gas at a
pressure of up to 50 bar.
We expect that the primary system will become internationally approved within the next year. After the approval,
FORCE Technology is qualified for acceptance into the European cooperation on harmonisation of the European natural
gas cubic metre.
Demand requires larger facilities
Today, the market demand requires larger facilities, and the
new system will be built so that the closed loop is dimen­
13
From the passing year
Ensures green energy from
sunrise to sunset
A solar system should be able to supply
energy all the hours of a day when the sun
shines. It is a huge challenge for the boilers
of the system to heat up rapidly and cool
down again every day. FORCE Technology
helps ensuring supply of green energy.
Aalborg CSP A/S holds 25 years experience within the steam
boiler industry, and has supplied steam boilers for some of
the largest concentrated solar power (CSP) plants in the
world. The boiler plants provide up to 50 MW and weigh
up to 700 tonnes. By avoiding unnecessary operation stops, the power plants
may increase their productivity and thus obtain shorter repayment time on the systems. Therefore, Aalborg CSP has
teamed up with FORCE Technology, who ensures the quality
of the welds on the boilers, in order to avoid expensive production shut downs on various sites around the world. welded together to ensure that the quality is correct from
the beginning. ­FORCE Technology reviews the weld procedure speci­fications (WPS) for us, in order to ensure that the
welds will endure the huge temperature variations to which
they are exposed daily”, says Peter Thomsen, QA manager
for ­Aalborg CSP A/S. ”We have various suppliers around
the world and even if the suppliers themselves sometimes
have an idea how to weld the materials together, we follow ­FORCE Technology’s recommendations as we know the
quality of their work”, he continues.
Analyses the cause and suggest an
­improvement
”Naturally, we prefer to prevent instead of repairing damages, but in the few cases where a weld technical problem
occurs, FORCE Technology will analyse the cause, which includes reviewing the weld procedure specifications (WPS). We are then recommended how to repair the damage, in
order for us to get the system supplying energy again as fast
as possible”, concludes Peter Thomsen. We trust your recommendation
”We draw on FORCE Technology’s huge professional
knowledge when we choose new suppliers for our boiler
systems. In the design phase it is important to clarify which
materials to apply and how various steel types may be
14
Photo: Aalborg CSP A/S
From the laboratory to the floor
of the industry
A new centre at Lindø will ripen already developed technologies aimed at the offshore
industry. This will ensure that technologies
developed in the laboratory will take effect
quickly in the industry.
The offshore industry in Denmark is under pressure from low
income areas. This means loss of Danish jobs, which could
have been maintained by new technologies as a lever for
enhancing productivity and quality. A new centre will help
the offshore industry maintain its competitiveness. The new centre is called Lindø Welding Technology (LWT)
and has been established by FORCE Technology and Lindø
Offshore Renewable Centre (LORC). At the centre, already
developed technologies will ripen in close cooperation
with the industry. Large scale facilities with state-of-theart weld­ing technologies have been established and one
of the most powerful welding facilities in Europe will be
located here.
recounts Torben Lorentzen, research and development manager with FORCE Technology.
As a GTS company, FORCE Technology has developed many
different technologies with the purpose of promoting produc­
tivity in welding, and with this activity we are given a much
better opportunity of lifting several productivity promoting
technologies into an industrial environment.
”The new centre is a great opportunity for the industry. By
using the facilities and implementing the technologies, it will
be able to enhance efficiency, productivity and quality – and
that is the only way, if we are to compete with low-incomecountries”, says Torben Lorentzen.
”The vision with LWT is to create jobs and to get technology working in the industry. In FORCE Technology we have
developed several ground-breaking technologies aimed at
the offshore industry, but it has been difficult to implement
the technologies in the companies. The new centre brings
us closer to the industry, and this way we ensure that the
technologies are actually used in practice. You could say that
we move from the laboratory to the floor of the industry”,
15
From the passing year
Study of the Port of Hvide Sande
To strengthen and maintain the industrial
production in Central and Western Jutland,
it has been decided to focus on other means
of transportation than the road. The Port of
Hvide Sande has asked FORCE Technology to
evaluate their new design of the port in connection with transportation of e.g. offshore
wind turbines and bulk goods.
New ways of transportation may streng­
then the industrial production in Central
and Western Jutland
With the relatively long coastal line towards the North Sea, it is
an obvious possibility to examine various scenarios for transportation at sea. To continue developing the Port of Hvide ­Sande,
many relevant business areas have been examined, including
using the port for shipping of wind turbine components.
In this connection, the Port of Hvide Sande contacted FORCE
Technology’s Department for Simulation, Training and Ports
to perform a port study and to evaluate the possibility of
transporting wind turbines as well as other relevant goods
– e.g. bulk goods. By letting FORCE Technology simulate the
design of the port, it is possible to assess and improve the design. Such improvements often extend the operating window
for navigation of the port. Clarification as to limitations created
by the weather
The background for this port study was that the Port of Hvide
Sande needed to clarify the operational weather limits of the
new design with regard to shipping of components for off­
shore wind turbines and relevant calling ships. The simulations were to find the operational limits for a wind turbine
installation vessel and a coaster of relevant size and to provide recommendations for improvements of the port’s design. Such improvements were to make navigation of the port significantly safer for the involved vessels.
The study of the port was made as real time-simulations in the
full mission simulator at Lyngby, where a total of 23 voyages with
wind turbine installation vessels were conducted, collecting wind
turbine components from a barge at the port. To ensure that the
runs were realistic, they were conducted under both the most
frequent and the most critical weather conditions.
”Our experience of the cooperation with FORCE Technology
is that they have supplied competent consultancy and assis­
tance based on a suitable combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. We have also experienced
that the assistance has been provided with understanding
and respect for our wishes and demands”, says Steen Davidsen, port manager at the Port of Hvide Sande.
16
16
Test of cables in frost and wind
The latest of five wind tunnels in the Department for Hydro- and Aerodynamics in
the maritime division differs significantly
from the previous four.
correct test results. When testing a cable, part of it is cut
off and tested as when used in real life. This means that we
simulate soiled cables during testing as the surface tension is
different than in new and clean cables.
The newest wind tunnel at FORCE Technology is unique in
being climatic, meaning that apart from testing the wind
load­ing and response of a bridge cable, it is also able to
reduce the temperature to -5 °C and produce rain and ice.
Work with the climatic wind tunnel has already led to development of two innovative surface designs for cables. The new designs prevent the water from running along the
cables, thus minimising vibrations. This way, the stability of
the cables is maintained, undesired vibrations are reduced
and eliminated, and thereby the service life of the cables is
extended. Icing of cables may cause serious problems on suspension
bridges and especially cable-stayed bridges as the vibra­
tions of the cables may occur or become enhanced when the
cables are no longer circular. Such vibrations may be inconvenient and might become a potential danger to traffic on
the bridge. In the climatic wind tunnel, cables are tested in
wind, rain and ice conditions to examine their reaction and
to comprehend the problems of cable vibration.
Testing 1:1
The climatic wind tunnel has been funded by grants from
F­ emern A/S and developed in cooperation with DTU
Byg when a bridge across the Femern Belt was still being
p­ lanned. The background for this cooperation was a wish to
examine and if possible avoid the vibration disadvan­tages
known from other cable-supported bridges such as The
Great Belt and The Öresund bridges.
As scaling of rain drops and icing on the cables is not possible, the test scale is typically 1:1 which ensures the most
17
From the passing year
New ways of utilising SonoSteam
are being explored
The SonoSteam technology, which until now
has primarily been applied for disinfection
of food, is now being tested as a disinfectant on new areas within a number of nonfood applications in FORCE Technology’s
newly developed Application Lab. Already
now, results have shown good possibilities
of application within the health sector and
in production companies.
SonoSteam and public health
A number of companies have already made use of the possibility of testing the unique disinfection method as part of their
cleaning routine. We have performed documentation tests
for the Hvidovre Hospital in our Application Lab at Brøndby
in connection with the hospital’s installation of a new bed
and mattress cleaner. Based on the very convincing results,
SonoSteam will be part of the new washing routines in connection with bed and mattress washing at the Hvidovre Hos­
pital. SonoSteam and production
Danish production companies naturally wish to clean and
disinfect their production equipment. However, their major
hurdle has been chemical disinfection, which requires that
the chemical exposure period and subsequent cleansing of
chemical residues be considered, which prolongs the work
process and not least, requires more space.
Skare Meat Packers, a supplier of beef and veal cuts for the
catering trade and retail business, have long wished for a
d­ isinfectant step in connection with washing of meat boxes
About SonoSteam
SonoSteam is a highly innovative industrial disinfectant, using the combination of
ultrasound and steam to disinfect surfaces. The uniqueness of SonoSteam is that you
fast, efficiently and without chemistry may disinfect surfaces without the product
itself being damaged. Until now, the technology has primarily been used to disinfect
food, but the interest for this process is increasing and FORCE Technology has thus
developed an Application Lab, in which it is possible to test SonoSteam in new areas.
18
for transportation of raw meat. Lack of space has made
chemical disinfection impossible and thus they have tested
SonoSteam as a ’disinfectant’ in the new Application Lab. SonoSteam works without chemistry, eliminating the need for
a long conveyor belt, which again solves the problem of too
little space.
Based on the success in the health sector and production
companies, our Application Lab continues to explore new
­application possibilities for the SonoSteam technology.
Simulation of sailing with tankers in
protected nature reserves
Northern Gateway Pipelines Inc. asked
FORCE Technology’s Department for Simulation, Training and Ports to assist with simulation studies of a 200 km long voyage
with crude oil.
The energy transporter Northern Gateway Pipelines Inc. ­wishes to transport crude oil from Edmonton, Alberta to Kitimat harbor in the western part of British Columbia in Canada
and further on from Kitimat to the open sea. As regards the
unique nature reserves and the native population, a number
of environmental and safety issues must be observed during
the voyage. Northern Gateway Pipelines Inc. therefore decided to contact FORCE Technology’s Department for Simulation, Training and Ports to carry out a number of simulation
studies of the 200 km voyage from the open sea to Kitimat
and back again. Fast–time simulation by computer
The simulation study of sailing with super tankers consists
of fast-time simulation and real-time simulation. Fast-time
simulation is sailing performed by a computer with navigator
parameters written into the programme. These simulations
are fast and easily made and provide a rough overview of
a voyage through the area and good basis for real-time simulations.
Captains and pilots simulate sailing
The main purpose of the real-time simulations was to clarify
whether two large tankers might pass each other safely in
narrow passages. Furthermore, focus was on berthing and
unberthing of the tankers as well as on how many and how
large tugs should be applied. The advantage of the real-time
simulations is that both the captain and the local pilots sail
the same route several times under alternating weather conditions and thus obtain an overview of limitations, if any. At the same time, the optimum manoeuvring strategy for a
given weather situation will be identified, and potential technical and human errors may be tested so that the ship can be
operated safely in a real situation.
The study included more than 100 voyages and recommend­
ed, for instance, to make use of an escort tug during the voy­
age from the oil terminal at Kitimat to the open sea, since
such a tug is able to assist at technical accidents, as e.g. a
black-out on board the tanker.
FORCE Technology has subsequently been asked whether we
will give witness at a hearing in connection with approval of
the project. This hearing takes place in British Columbia in the
first quarter of 2013. 19
From the passing year
Clean water in Bangladesh guaranteed
for many years
By examining and preparing a remediation
proposal for a newly built section of a purification plant in Bangladesh, FORCE Technology helps ensuring the supply of clean
drinking water.
Scarcity of drinking water
Clean drinking water is an article in short supply in a developing country such as Bangladesh. The surface water is
polluted, the ground water has a high content of the heavy
metal arsenic and the water table is at a depth of 75 metres,
which makes it difficult to drill for clean water. Therefore,
the purification plant uses water from the neighbouring river,
which is often just as dirty as our sewage water.
To increase the capacity, the existing purification plant has
expanded their plant with a phase 2 section, which is a copy
of the existing plant, which has worked well for 10 years. However, phase 2 has been built with fewer joints, i.e. by
casting larger segments at a time.
Impartial review
Since a number of cracks had been observed in the newly
cast concrete process unit, the owner required an impartial
review of the total construction. FORCE Technology was re-
20
quested by the construction contractor to inspect the tanks
and assess what impact the cracks would have on the remaining service life. We reviewed phase 1 to get a reference
– what should the plant be able to endure? And how are the
operating conditions? Then we examined the construction
visually in phase 2 and registered all the cracks. We also reviewed the repairs that had already been performed, to see
whether they had been performed correctly. In some cases,
the performed work did not meet the requirements accord­
ing the specifications and had to be performed once again.
Furthermore, the concrete was inspected and it turned out
that it had been prepared in way, which required thorough
curing in order to prevent cracking. Another reason for the
cracking was that wall sections were cast in large segments,
which in combination with the complicated mix design, increased the possibilities for cracking under the tough curing
conditions with the high ambient temperature.
The service life will last
Our assessment is that the purification plant’s phase 2 may
last the estimated service life of 50 - 60 years if the observed
cracks are repaired according to specification. Clean drinking
water for the population should thus be ensured for many
years to come.
New method for measuring CO2
in waste incineration plants
From January 2013, the Danish and Swedish
waste incineration plants, must make precise inventories of their CO2 emissions according to EU’s ETS scheme. With FORCE Technology’s newly developed measurement
method for determination of fossil and biogenic CO2 in stack gas, it will be possible for
the plants to apply a new and much more
precise inventory. FORCE Technology’s me­
thod is based on carbon 14 analyses of flue
gas samples, which we now offer our domestic as well as international customers.
EU’s new emission trade period (2013 - 2020) has been extended to include waste incineration plants in Denmark and
Sweden. To determine fossil CO2 from waste incineration
plants poses a number of challenges. It is relatively simple to
determine fossil CO2 for homogenous fuels such as coal and
oil, with known carbon contents, whereas it is much more
difficult to determine fossil CO2 for mixed fuels such as waste,
in which the content of biogenic and fossil materials may vary
a lot. Until now, the emission of fossil CO2 from waste incineration plants has been calculated based on an estimate of
the average content of fossil carbon in the waste. However,
it has been necessary to develop more precise methods for
determining fossil CO2 emissions. This challenge was accepted by FORCE Technology. It has
led to development of a new measuring method based on
carbon 14 analyses of flue gas samples, collected as liquid
samples throughout the year. To be able to collect the samples, new equipment for sampling, based on our own design
specifications and manufactured by an external supplier, was
developed. We can now offer this new technological service
to Danish and Swedish waste incineration plants. We install
the equipment in the stack gas at the waste incineration plant
and collect samples throughout the year. At the end of the
year, the results are provided as a complete account of the
plant’s fossil CO2 emissions, which can be reported in the annual greenhouse gas inventory. The method, which has been
acknowledged by the Danish Energy Agency, is now applied
at a number of plants in both Denmark and Sweden. With the new method, waste incineration plants are now able
to establish their fossil CO2 emissions with very high precision
and with method uncertainty values far below the increased
requirements as to the threshold value on uncertainty in EU’s
directive. Furthermore, the method follows the new prEN/ISO
13833 standard ’Determination of the ratio of biogenic and
fossil derived carbon dioxide – Radiocarbon sampling and
determination’, and FORCE Technology has already achieved
accreditation by DANAK for the sampling method.
21
From the passing year
Sensor based sorting of waste
low as ­possible. When you emit the harmful substances –
in this case chlorine – you increase the recycling value of
the waste and at the same time you gain both financial and
environmental advantages.
Max 1% chlorine
With support from the European Agency
for Competitiveness and Innovations pro­
gramme, Eco-innovation, and from PSO’s
research programme, ForskEL, FORCE Technology’s Department for Sensor Innovation
has developed a new sensor, which identifies
harmful substances in waste for recycling.
Since chlorine is highly corrosive, not only are the waste
incinerators damaged by incineration of waste containing
chlorine such as e.g. PVC, but when the end product from
waste incineration is used in e.g. cement production it may
cause corrosion in the reinforcement bars to be embedded
in the cement when building. Furthermore, high amounts of
dioxin are produced at incineration of materials containing
chlorine, which is harmful to the environment. Thus, it is important that the
chlorine content is as
22
The chlorine content in waste must not exceed 1% due to the
harmful effects of chlorine. With sensor based sorting, it is
possible to remove the majority of the harmful material from
the respective recycling processes. The sensors make use of
the so-called PGNAA-technique (Prompt Gamma Neutron
Activation Analysis). It is a technique that applies a neutron
source to excite elements and then detect their emitted
gamma radiation, radiation, characteristic for the individual
element. By identifying the material containing chlorine, it
is possible to remove this from the valuable recycling flows. This technique applies especially to chlorine.
There are no health risks connected to operating the sensors
since the radioactive sources applied to the sensors are
­safely encased and shielded. The Department for Sensor
Innovation draws on more than 40 years experience in designing, selling and installing devices containing radioactive
and x-ray sources.
Many possibilities and sizes
By adjusting the number of detectors and source strength
or the number of neutron sources it is possible to tailor the
device to the production size needed. Furthermore, it is possible to use the method for detecting other elements than
chlorine both within and outside waste sorting.
Expertise makes it possible to steer clear
FORCE Technology’s expertise makes it possible for MarineShaft in Hirtshals to repair
rudders and propeller equipment on-site
globally.
Every ship owner’s worst nightmare is when a vessel is in
dock. In the shipping business, time equals a huge amount
of money and lay days may cost several hundred thousand dollars a day. Thus, it is paramount to MarineShaft in
H
­ irtshals to be able to act immediately if e.g. a rudder stock
has been bent.
From Hirtshals to Shanghai
MarineShaft is a highly specialised Danish company, and
serves customers around the world. “Our job is to perform
high quality ship repairs at very short notice. Therefore, the
dialogue with FORCE Technology and your prompt service is
crucial in order for us to help our customers when a ship is
in dock. On several occasions, we have brought personnel
from FORCE Technology with us on welding tasks on-site,
e.g. in Germany, China and Shanghai”, says managing director
­Anders Jensen, with MarineShaft Holding A/S.
MarineShaft performs all kinds of repairs on propeller equipment and rudder arrangements in the work-shop at Hirtshals, but also on-site throughout the world. The delivery
time on spare parts for e.g. a rudder arrangement may be
up to several months, i.e. the services of MarineShaft are
very much in demand. But a customer’s problem may be very
complex and the requirements for documenting the solution
are high. Extraordinary sparring and impartial party
As a sparring partner in welding, FORCE Technology assists
MarineShaft in preparing new welding specifications including recommended filler metal composition. We perform
u­ltrasonic examinations, conduct hardness tests and material
tests from the Hirtshals-company. The classification companies require a third and impartial party perform the tests
and documents to ensure that repairs fulfil the companies’
requirements and rules. ”With MarineShaft we have a skilled staff of well-educated
engineering workers, propeller specialists and certificate
welders. But when the task involves e.g. extraordinary weld­
ing tasks, we make use of FORCE Technology’s great expertise”, concludes Anders Jensen.
23
From the passing year
Approval of
online games
In the autumn, FORCE Technology became
accredited to certify online games. This gives
Danish providers the possibility of communicating without language barriers, when their
online games are to be approved.
For many years, FORCE Technology has verified different physical games according to Danish legislation. Our customers have
primarily been manufacturers and owners of various price-giving
slot machines, casinos, Danske Spil and Klasselotteriet. Thus, it
was natural for us to enter the online market, in connection with
the new Act on gaming and the legalisation of online games.
Accreditation
In order to certify online games, you must be approved by the
Danish Gambling Authority. The requirement for this is that you
have been accredited by the national accreditation body accord­
ing to either ISO 17020 (inspection) or ISO 17025 (testing and
calibration). After thorough review of the list of rules for online
games, set up by the Danish Gambling Authority, we decided to
extend our accreditation 9005, Inspection of amusements and
gas return-systems, to also include online games.
Because all games’ providers were obliged to obtain their certification during 2012, and because the Danish Gambling Au­
thority’s rules were not ready until April, we have been under a
huge pressure of time to extend the accreditation. 24
Special requirements for our personnel
We teamed up with an external business partner, as we do not
ourselves dispose of personnel that holds all the competences,
required by the Danish Gambling Authority. Such competences
must include penetration tests, vulnerability tests and safety in
connection with money laundering, terror financing and shady
money transactions.
Safety with the Spillehallen.dk
”We are very pleased that a Danish body now exists to approve our online games”, recounts country manager and daily
manager Peter Bregnhøj Lauritzen, Spillehallen.dk. ”We are a
subsidiary of Compugame-DAE A/S, whose physical machines
have been approved by FORCE Technology for many years. It is
important that your inspectors know how the physical games
work, when they are to approve online games. It eases the process. With a Danish provider we avoid language barriers, which
may complicate the processes. Personal contact is important
and with a Danish provider, we feel safe”.
Great expectations for a market in growth
Until now, we have carried out inspections with several Danish
providers of online games and because this part of the business
is growing, we have great expectations for the future.
Chinese interest in automatic
wind turbine blade scanner
In 2012, the Chinese Institute of Engineering
Thermophysics (IET) signed a contract for
supply of our newest equipment for inspection of wind turbines – Automatic Modular
Scanner (AMS-64).
The new modular scanner makes it easy and fast to set up
a scanning process for inspection of wind turbine blades,
whether the blades are mounted on the turbine or lying flat
on the ground. With ultrasound, the scanner inspects for potential problematic areas under the surface, which could contribute to breakdowns or declining efficiency for the turbine. The unique thing about the AMS-64 is that it is mounted
with suction pads on the blade and is made of carbon composite, which eases the weight of the scanner considerably,
making it easy and safe to handle. You do not need to dismount the blade to scan and data may be analysed on site.
able to supply advanced inspection of wind turbine blades –
both for large Chinese wind turbine producers and for wind
turbine owners.
Apart from the new scanner, IET also bought courses in ultrasonic inspection of wind turbine blades. It has been essential to the process that FORCE Technology is represented
in China with Chinese staff, and the subsidiary in Beijing has
been invaluable to the whole project.
Strong focus on quality control of
wind turbines in China
The Chinese authorities focus a great deal on the quality of
the wind turbines to be supplied to new wind farms, and
several public institutions wish to position themselves within
this area. In this connection, the Chinese Institute of Engineering Thermophysics (IET) contacted FORCE Technology’s
local office in Beijing to learn about the possibilities of the
new scanner. IET, which is associated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, wanted to use the modular scanner to be
25
From the passing year
Offshore Supply enhances
the qualifications
ments they have to meet. The individual company has been
given assistance as regards focus areas to be prioritised,
and courses have been held in business development and
structure of management systems. Consultants from FORCE
Technology have helped each company establish individual business plans and develop management systems, so
that they are ready to meet the requirements of the sector. Market insight gave input for sharper
business strategy
Global Partner was part of the Offshore Supply network. The
company supplies consultancy services within project management, planning, coordination and supervision for major
projects in the industry, including the oil, gas and supplying
industries.
Participation in the network Offshore Supply enhances the qualifications for small
and medium sized companies in all lines of
business enabling them to become subcontractors to the offshore sector. The new subcontractor provide input for new thinking
and innovation.
The Network Offshore Supply is a sub-project of a larger
project, Energy at Sea, which was established in 2010 with
focus on growth and employment in the offshore oil and gas
industry towards year 2020. FORCE Technology is one of the
network facilitators.
Tools for meeting the requirements of
the offshore business
Our experience is that small and medium sized companies often opt out of the oil and gas industry as business areas, since
there are huge requirements for documentation and certification, before a company can be approved as a subcontractor. Through participation in Offshore Supply, 20 potential subcontractors have been given an overview of the require-
General manager, Elsebeth Fogh from Global Partner recounts
that participation in Offshore Supply has been extremely rewarding. ”It has been very interesting and inspiring to participate in a networking group within the oil and gas industry. We
have been granted huge market insight, which has been necessary for us in our further strategy work. One of the courses
was held with teachers from FORCE Technology. The course
provided us with tools to work with business development
according to the Business Model Generation model, and we
have now prepared a business strategy, which makes us much
more pointed. We now know where to put our services in our
customers’ chain of value and we can target our marketing
and communication much better. An extra plus has been that
our networking participation has already provided us with a
new large, international customer”, concludes Elsebeth Fogh.
Input for new thinking and innovation
Mærsk Oil took part from the outset in the establishment of
Offshore Supply. Strategic purchase manager Ingelise Terkildsen says that Mærsk Oil is interested in qualified subcontractors from other industries than the traditional within the
offshore sector. Thus, further possibilities for new thinking and
innovation have been created. ”Through the project, we have had the opportunity of meeting
companies with which we are not usually in contact. Through
dialogue and sparring we have gained more insight into what
stirs in our field of trade. Globally seen, the oil and gas trade in going through a period
with a high level of activity, which again means high demands
for materials and services – thus, we look very favourably upon
the Offshore Supply initiative, that aim to increase the number
of qualified subcontractors for the oil and gas industry”, concludes Ingelise Terkildsen.
26
Quality assurance of a gigantic
retractable roof in Stockholm
Scandinavia’s largest retractable roof constitutes the entire roof construction of the
new Friends Arena (previously Swedbank
Arena). In connection with the construction of the new national arena, FORCE
Technology Sweden has performed test­
ing and inspection of both the roof and
thousands of other steel components.
The arena, which was inaugurated on 27 October 2012, is
a so-called fifth generation arena with a sliding roof and a
maximum capacity of 67,500 people.
The roof construction is based on a fixed and a movable
part. Four triangular steel trusses run above and across
the field, and above these the retractable roof runs on a
number of wheel bogies. The sliding roof, measuring 68
x 105 m, is run by driving units mounted on the fixed part
of the roof. Inspection of enormous components with
millimetre precision
FORCE Technology Sweden was assigned the inspection
due to their extended experience with inspection and test­
ing of steel structures within building and construction.
During the project, enormous components have been
mounted with millimetre precision in order to adjust adjoin­
ing components and to secure the function of the retract­
able roof. To guarantee that production and preparation
of steel components is performed according to the correct
quality and requirements, we have made several visits to
factories abroad. The project is unique as for the first time
in Sweden the building code according to SS-EN 1090-2
has been applied (execution of steel structures).
The standard SS-EN 1090-2 includes steel structures such
as houses, bridges, sheet metal rods and grating components. In the standard ordinary execution rules, tolerance
and rules for control are treated.
The assignment included:
• Quality assurance of established erection
• Inspection measures, in order to ensure that production and processing of the
steel components were performed with adequate quality and in accordance with
specified requirements.
• Ensuring procedures for deviation handling
• Control measures for those parts affecting the structural fire resistance, stability or
durability of the construction.
27
From the passing year
Cross-branch development project behind
waste-to-energy simulator
FORCE Technology has developed a simulator, which forms the basis of a waste-toenergy course. The course contributes to
optimisation of the operation of Danish
waste-to-energy plants.
FORCE Technology’s course ’Operation of waste-to-energy
plants’ includes i.a. simulator based training aimed at the
operators in Danish waste-to-energy plants. The course
enhances the operations engineers’ comprehension of the
dynamics in the waste-to-energy processes and the factors
influencing them, which again provides better provisions for
operation optimisation. The simulator’s financial model also
provides the operations engineer with the opportunity to
see, how the operation may influence the economy of the
plant positively and negatively. Maintenance and operation speak
the same language
Even if the target group for the course are operations engi­
neers, several plants, e.g. I/S Vestforbrænding, have chosen to
also have their maintenance personnel take the course. Maintenance manager John K. Olsen says: ”The simulation exercises in the course and the exchange of experiences with the
course participants who work on operation provide our maintenance personnel with an understanding of the opera­tions
engineers’ work. The course also contributes to giving our
employees in maintenance and operation a mutual language”. Not far from demand to action
FORCE Technology has developed simulators since 1987. Thus, it did not take long from an identified demand in the
Danish waste incineration industry to the idea of developing
a training simulator, to be used as platform for a course on
the waste incineration processes. The course is regularly
­adjusted to the requirements of the industry based on course evaluations and dialogue with the plants. Three divisions,
eight departments and 14 employees across the company
have been involved in developing the advanced training
­simulator, which covers the complete waste-to-energy process with a modern and pedagogical user interface.
Dialogue with Swedish plants
There are approximately 320 operations engineers and a
smaller number of maintenance personnel at the Danish
waste-to-energy plants, and until now approximately 2/3
of all operations engineers and a number of maintenance
personnel have been through the course. Thus, we are now
communicating with the industry association in Sweden
about the possibility of providing the course in Sweden. Furthermore, it will be possible to adjust the simulator to
other kinds of plants, e.g. biomass plants, if the market potential is present. 28
From fruit plantation to
juice production
An innovation check by FORCE Technology
kicked off the juice production at Søeberg’s
Fruit plantation in record time.
Innovation Agents
Juice production of chokeberries
The Innovation Agents constitute a joint arrangement consisting of a corps of 30 experienced management consultants from Denmark’s nine GTS’s (Approved Technological
Service Institutes) – including FORCE Technology.
For a long time, Dorthe and Hans Peter Søeberg had been
toying with the idea of establishing a juice production in
addi­tion to their fruit plantation. In 2001, they planted
chokeberries all over their land. The chokeberry is rather
unknown but examinations have proven that the berry is
one of the healthiest ever, and it is the berry in the world that
contains the largest content of antioxidants.
Innovation agents are competent and experienced professionals. Their common platform
is practical experience and extensive professional knowledge about technological innovation used as a business, development, and competitive parameter. The Innovation Agent
arrangement is funded by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation. With an innovation check, it is possible for small and medium sized companies with up to
250 employees to focus on their technological development possibilities and challenges. An innovation check identified focus areas
”Through the Væksthuset we were referred to the innovation agents with FORCE Technology”, recounts owner, ­Dorthe
Søeberg.
”The innovation check identified two focus areas for our
ideas; a strategy and marketing part and a process technical
part in connection with initiation of the juice production. The
innovation agents helped us apply for a knowledge coupon
from the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation, and then the berries started rolling!
With help from FORCE Technology’s consultants we were
able to make a business strategy and we reviewed the
whole process of juice production. Due to the high content
of anti­oxidants in the chokeberry, we have chosen a very
gentle and careful production process. This posed special
challenges. The consultants helped us handling the hygienic
design, choosing equipment and designing the premises’ facilities and performing a risk based assessment of the ­future
produc­tive plant and procedures. All in all we feel that we
gained a lot from the knowledge coupon we were allocated”.
In 2012, FORCE Technology performed innovation checks with more than 130 companies. These have initiated technological innovation within most of the visited companies,
and knowledge coupons have been applied as a means for technological knowledge
transfer.
You may learn more about the Innovation Agents at innovationstjek.dk.
This is only the beginning
”We are now already selling much more juice than we expected, and we are on the verge of planting more land in
order to meet the increasing demand”, recounts Dorthe
­Søeberg. ”And this is only the beginning; we hope to find
a technical solution which will enable us to use the residual
product – the press cake from the juice production – for a
new product, since many healthy active elements are left in
the peel”.
29
From the passing year
The service life of polymer products
may now be predicted
FORCE Technology’s newest characterisation equipment is applied for condition
assessment of polymer products. Thus,
critical material break downs with catastrophic consequences may be avoided.
FORCE Technology’s newest characterisation equipment
within polymers is a GPC Gel Permeations Chromatographic system. The GPC system is based on an analytical
technique, which may be applied to determine the molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution in
polymer, rubber and composite materials and other highly
molecular materials such as paints and coatings. By this
technique and small sample of the material is dissolved in a
suitable solvent, which is subsequently injected in a system
of columns, separating the dissolved molecules (polymer
chains, softeners, processing aids etc.) according to size,
which will then finally be detected with one or several detectors (refractive index, viscosity or light scattering) as to
which component or parameter is to be determined. This
way, the components in the polymer material and the polymer itself can be characterised. This technique is used in i.a.
the oil ­industry
”We welcome the new equipment warmly”, says polymer
specialist Afshin Ghanbari-Siahkali, National Oilwell Varco. ”We will make use of the expertise in connection with assessment of the service life of polymer materials in pipes
for the oil industry”. Among other things, the company
manufactures flexible pipes to be applied when extracting
oil. Thus, it is important to know the service life, as material
breakdowns are highly critical and may have catastrophic
consequences.
Prediction of service life in a given
usage situation
Especially, when we speak of decomposed, aged or even
fractured polymer products, a reduced (or increased) molecular mass will help us evaluate, to what the polymer has
been exposed, and how degraded it is. And this is how the
service life in a specific application may be predicted. Many fields of business will benefit from the GPC technique. The medical industry, the energy sector and the apparatus
industry all apply polymers, where the service life is important and failures and damages are critical.
30
30
Tool for assessment and documentation
of environmental profile
FORCE Technology has developed a model
for environmental assessment of products
for Re-bag A/S. The tool which is based on
cradle-to-grave environmental calculations
(LCA), is now used actively in sales and marketing of i.e. reusable shopping bags.
Danish Re-bag, founded in 1999, sells reusable shopping
bags, mule bags, boxes and other packaging and accessories
for companies. Re-bag focuses on exclusive, environmentally
friendly and recyclable products and they therefore need documentation of the environmental load. We have tailored an Excel-model based on data collection and
analyses, in which the products’ environmental impact from
manufacturing, use and disposal are included. The model is very
flexible, e.g. you may compare the materials’ environmental impact paired with information on the product’s expected lifetime
and various countries’ waste disposal policies. We have trained
the employees with Re-bag A/S using the model, so that they
may research and document the environmental impact from the
products on their own. They have subsequently translated the
tool into Danish and Italian and expect to have it translated into
French and Flemish for use in their subsidiaries. Implementation in organisation
Environmental assessment, knowledge
sharing and marketing
In a project supported by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation knowledge coupon scheme, FORCE
Technology has developed a tool for environmental assessment on behalf of Re-bag A/S. The environmental assessment
tool is to be used in sales as documentation for the products’
environmental impact, thus supporting Re-bags and their
customers’ ’green’ identity and brand. We held a workshop for
Re-Bags’ employees where they were trained in marketing of
’green products’ based on solid documentation from the tool,
thereby avoiding ’greenwashing’. According to Mette Vinding, CSR- and marketing responsible
with Re-bag A/S, focus has been on use of the environmental assessment as part of the sales- and marketing activities
throughout the project: ”We expect that it will have a favourable impact on our business and of course on our envi­
ronment”. According to Mette Vinding, Re-bag A/S is very
determined to get more customers ’to make the conscious
environmental choice’: “When our customers in retailing opt
in for the environment, their customers will also opt in for the
environment, and why not tell about it? It is brand and identity building, when performed honestly and correctly without
being shallow”.
31
Extract of the Consolidated Annual Report 2012
32
Profit & loss account
1 January - 31 December
Consolidated company
2012
DKK 1,000
2011
DKK 1,000
Consolidated turnover
Expenses directly related to projects, outlays
Other external expenses
1,140,566
118,980
193,280
1,092,745
Personnel expenses
193,417
128,455
728,384
669,319
Depreciation and write-downs
56,238
51,597
Operating profit
43,684
49,957
Share of profit or loss
Profit before interest, etc.
Financial income and expenses, net
1,279
1,996
44,963
51,953
-5,333
43,019
46,620
Extraordinary items
0
-12,004
Profit before tax
43,019
34,616
Profit before extraordinary items
Tax
Profit before minority interests
Minority interests
Profit for the year
-1,944
6,862
9,958
36,157
24,658
-251
0
36,408
24,658
33
Balance as of 31 December
Assets
Assets
Consolidated company
2012
DKK 1,000
2011
DKK 1,000
Fixed assets
Goodwill
42,244
47,375
Development projects under construction
29,828
15,811
Total intangible fixed assets
72,072
63,186
Land and buildings
Furniture and equipment
Total tangible fixed assets
82,719
83,392
124,333
97,095
207,052
180,487
Participating interests
11,448
10,367
Other financial assets
6,923
2,490
18,371
12,857
297,495
256,530
Total financial fixed assets
Total fixed assets
Current assets
Stocks
67,141
65,910
223,001
222,957
43,100
31,670
63
63
75,029
46,784
Total current assets
408,334
367,384
Total assets
705,829
623,914
Debtors, work in progress and completed work
Other debtors
Securities
Cash and bank balances
34
Liabilities
Liabilities
Consolidated company
2012 DKK 1,000 2011
DKK 1,000
Capital and reserves
337,100
297,633
Minority interests
2,306
0
Deferred taxes
11,623
8,678
Total provisions
11,623
8,678
Bank debt
19,000
22,521
Mortgage debt
54,368
57,784
Total long-term debt
73,368
80,305
Mortgage debt
3,246
2,101
37,890
14,652
Bank debt
38,279
32,824
Creditors and accrued costs
Advance payments and invoicing
32,109
40,965
169,908
146,756
Other creditors
Total short-term debt
281,432
237,298
Total debt
354,800
317,603
Total liabilities
705,829
623,914
35
Board of directors & management
Board of directors
Erik Søndergaard
Frederik Smidth
Jesper Cramer
Chairman of the Board
Vice President
Senior project manager
Director
Maersk Drilling
Employee representative
Mogens Arndt
Jesper Thomassen
Marianne Krogsgaard Berg
Vice chairman
Senior Vice President, Production
Head of business development
Director
Nordic Sugar
Employee representative
Henrik Carlsen
Per Blinkenberg-Thrane
Daniela Bach
Professor
Director Polymer specialist
Technical University of Denmark
Per Thrane Holding ApS
Employee representative
Øjvind Andersen Clement
Jens Roedsted
Lars Vesth
Chief financial officer &
Director
Director
Deputy chief executive officer
Market & innovation
Information & business processes
Management
Ernst Tiedemann
Chief executive officer
Specialist directors
Area directors
36
Stig Sand
Arne H. Jensen
Director
Director
FORCE Technology Asia
FORCE Technology Nordic
Managerial staff
Staffs
Anette Aarup
Peter Blinksbjerg
Torben Lorentzen
Finance & administration manager
Quality manager
Head of research & development
Ernst C. Kristensen
Niels Krebs
Ulf Larsen
Vice president
Vice president
Vice president
Materials & welding
SonoSteam
Inspection & testing
Jens B. Legarth
Nils Linde Olsen
Vice president
Vice president
Divisions
Energy, climate & environment
Metrology, chemical analysis &
management systems
Leif Jeppesen
Vice president
Sensor & NDE innovation
Peter Krogsgaard Sørensen
Vice president
Maritime industry
Operational subsidiaries
FORCE Technology Sweden AB
FORCE Certification A/S
FORCE Technology Singapore II
Hans Ole Olsen
Hans Falster
Pte Ltd
Managing director
Managing director
V. Sathiyanarayanan
FORCE Technology Norway AS
FORCE Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Henning Arnøy
Niels Grønbech
Managing director
Managing director
FORCE Technology Rusland LLC
FORCE Technology Maritime
Marina B. Matveeva
­Simulation Services Pte Ltd
Managing director
Francis Tan
Managing director
Managing director
37
Addresses
FORCE TECHNOLOGY
DENMARK
FORCE TECHNOLOGY
INTERNATIONAL
Headquarters
Vejen
Park Allé 345 2605 Brøndby Tel.+45 43 26 70 00 Fax+45 43 26 70 11 [email protected] Navervej 1 6600 Vejen Tel.+45 76 96 16 00 Fax+45 75 36 41 55 FORCE Technology
Sweden AB
Aalborg
Esbjerg
Østre Gjesingvej 7 6715 Esbjerg N. Tel.+45 76 10 06 50 Fax+45 75 45 00 86 Frederikshavn
Fiskerihavnsgade 13 9900 Frederikshavn Tel.+45 43 26 76 81 Fax+45 98 10 11 23 Kalundborg
Hareskovvej 17 4400 Kalundborg Tel.+45 43 26 70 00 Fax+45 43 26 71 98 Kgs. Lyngby
Hjortekærsvej 99 2800 Kgs. Lyngby Tel.+45 72 15 77 00 Fax+45 72 15 77 01 Middelfart
Alsvej 6 5500 Middelfart Tel.+45 63 41 03 15 Fax+45 43 26 70 11 Odense
Forskerparken 10 5230 Odense Tel.+45 76 96 16 24 Fax+45 76 96 16 24 40
Niels Jernes Vej 2-4 9220 Aalborg Ø. Tel.+45 96 35 08 00 Fax+45 96 35 08 29 Aarhus
Tueager 3 Skejby 8200 Aarhus N. Tel.+45 87 34 02 00 Fax+45 87 34 02 19 Tallmätargatan 7 721 34 Västerås, Sweden Tel.+46 (0)21-490 3000 Fax+46 (0)21-490 3001 [email protected] FORCE Technology
Norway AS
Nye Vakåsvei 32 1395 Hvalstad, Norway Tel.+47 64 00 35 00 Fax+47 64 00 35 01 [email protected]
FORCE Technology
USA Inc.
3300 Walnut Bend Lane TX 77042 Houston, USA Tel.+1 713 975 8300 Fax+1 713 975 8303
[email protected]
FORCE Technology
Rusland LLC
3, Kaluzhsky per. 191015 Sankt Petersburg,
Russia Tel.+7 (812) 326 80 92 Fax+7 (812) 326 80 93 [email protected]
FORCE Technology
(Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Room 707, No. 6, Ritan
Road, Sun Joy Mansion,
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100020 Beijing, China Tel.+86 10 8530 6399 Fax+86 10 8530 6399 [email protected]
FORCE Technology
Maritime Simulation
Services Pte Ltd.
1 CleanTech Loop, #03-05
CleanTech One 637141 Singapore Tel.+65 6684 0737 Fax+65 6499 8281 [email protected]
FORCE Technology
Singapore II PTE Ltd
1 CleanTech Loop, #03-05
CleanTech One 637141 Singapore Tel.+65 6684 0737 Fax+65 6499 8281 [email protected]