Appro, a supplier of fasteners to Sweden’s energy sector, aims to increase its penetration in the offshore sector. The company exhibited at ONS in Stavanger in August, generating around 80 new leads, according to managing director Peter Fjordman.

Gothenburg-based Appro already supplies products to three regular customers in Norway who provide equipment to the offshore industry. The company claims a 90% share of the petrochemical market in Sweden for its type of products. It manufactures stud-bolts in all standard and stainless steel materials, and also offers a range of surface treatments.

Fasteners on the Appro assembly line.Click here to enlarge image

Appro’s quality management system is certified to the SS-EN ISO 9001:2000 standard, and it is undergoing qualification for the ISO 14000 environmental standard, expected to be awarded before year-end.

It also complies with a list of standards and directives for different markets and industries, and is qualified to deliver to some of the world’s largest corporations and their suppliers. It has, for example, been named a “key supplier” by Alfa Laval, supplying fasteners for its heat exchangers.

Bolts must be fastened with the correct degree of torque, says Fjordman. “You must, for example, use the right key to mount a bolt, otherwise you will not know if you have the right clamp force.” To this end, the company works closely with Hytorc, a bolt fastening specialist. “We would recommend using Hytorc to ensure the customer has the correct key for the job,” says Fjordman.

In conjunction with DNV, Appro has developed a special marking system which it uses on all its fasteners to enable them to be traced back to manufacture. Recently Appro engaged Chalmers University in Gothenburg to carry out a technical development on its behalf. Full details are not available at press time, but it involves using an invention that could make the assembly of fasteners easier, faster, and more economically.

For more information contact Peter Fjordman, Appro. Tel +46 303 24 34 40, fax +46 303 24 50 15, peter.fjordman@appro.se, www.appro.se