Technical inspections that meet the highest standards

The Inspection Division is an accredited inspection body that offers third-party technical inspections, testing and certification. The division’s work aims to improve the operational reliability of clients’ plant in the best interests of workers, the environment and production. Its services have a direct impact on client profitability.

Inspection – increased safety for workers, the environment and operations

In Sweden the Inspection Division is accredited by the Swedish Board for Accreditation and Conformity Assessment (SWEDAC). This accreditation guarantees that the division has the expertise required to carry out impartial inspections of clients’ operations and facilities in order to verify compliance with ordinances and regulations issued by the various authorities. Inspection is also a "notified body" for inspections required by EU directives for pressure vessels, lifts/elevators, machinery, building machinery and railway systems.

As an independent third-party inspection body, the division works independently of other parts of the ÅF Group. Working relationships with clients are characterised by openness, with short turnaround times and clear, straightforward information to give clients an opportunity to detect problems quickly and identify measures to rectify them. The culture within the division ensures high levels of service, promotes an entrepreneurial spirit and fosters a sense of job satisfaction amongst employees.

Within its Swedish domestic market Inspection enjoys a very strong standing and is represented by local offices throughout the country. Offices in the Czech Republic and Lithuania act as a hub for work in neighbouring markets in Eastern Europe and the Baltic countries/Russia respectively. The Czech operation is a market leader in non-destructive testing, while the unit in Lithuania focuses on nuclear power and other test-intensive process industries.

Inspection, testing and certification activities dominate the work of the division. Inspection involves periodic independent checks of lifts/elevators, lifting devices, boilers, escalators, ski-lifts, fairground attractions, tanks, pressure vessels, etc. Testing involves examining components and devices using non-destructive techniques, such as radiography, ultrasound and visual checks. The division also offers advanced testing services, condition monitoring, status evaluations and certification services for its clients’ products and staff. In addition Inspection serves as an accredited inspection body for Swedish nuclear power stations through its sister company, ÅF-TÜV Nord.

Inspection’s services are continuously being developed: for example, documentation is becoming increasingly web-based, and some inspection and quality control systems are now fully automated.

The division also offers services and consulting in environmental inspection, emissions monitoring, special testing, CE-marking and the interpretation of various EU directives.

Clients – broad client base, low cyclical sensitivity

Client needs for periodic technical inspections are relatively independent of the state of the economy. This, together with the fact that Inspection offers services in all sectors and to a very large number of clients, means that overall sensitivity to the business cycle is limited.

The division continued to broaden its client base in 2009, laying solid foundations for growth once the economy picks up. Clients are increasingly willing to adopt a preventive approach to the working environment, operational reliability and the environment. The sharper the focus on preventive inspections, the better maintenance planning will be, as this far-sightedness reduces the unplanned operational stoppages and unforeseen expenditure that otherwise impact directly on clients’ profitability. Inspection can offer services to meet all needs as well as highly specialised services and long-term forms of cooperation.

  • Inspection carries out almost 40,000 projects a year.
  • The division has just over 20,000 clients, some 12,000 of whom come back each year.
  • The 20 largest clients account for 40 percent of the division’s sales.
  • The largest client accounts for 9 percent of sales.
  • Clients include Cramo, EuroMaint, Fortum Värme, PEAB, LKAB, Metso, Shell, Södra Cell, the Swedish nuclear power plants at Forsmark, Oskarshamn (OKG) and Ringhals, Tågia, Uddcomb, VEÅ, Volvo, Westinghouse Electric and YIT.
Market and trends – steady performance

In 2009 the division’s market share held steady at around 30 percent of the Swedish market. Demand was relatively constant in all areas of expertise and, despite the general economic slowdown, prices also remained stable. Demand was strongest for testing-related services in the nuclear power sector.

The harmonisation and deregulation of technical inspections in the EU is continuing to fuel growth. The market is becoming increasingly international, and the consolidation of the industry is expected to continue, particularly in the new member states. The division’s operations in the Czech Republic and Lithuania are important platforms for ÅF’s continued expansion in neighbouring markets.

The Inspection Division also has strategic alliances with other accredited inspection companies in Europe.