Join us as the electricity grid industry gathered at EBR Metod- och maskindagar – with record attendance

For the first time, we participated in EBR Metod- och maskindagar in Karlstad in Sweden – a trade fair with full focus on the latest in the electricity grid industry. This year’s edition also broke visitor records.

Between May 19–22, the electricity grid industry from all over the country gathered at Norra Fältet in Karlstad. The event is organized every four years by the industry organization Energiföretagen Sverige, this time together with Värmlandsgruppen, an association of nine local energy companies in Värmland collaborating on electricity grid issues.

Great interest in electricity grid issues

This year’s trade fair attracted a record number of visitors and no fewer than 113 exhibiting companies participated, spread across eight different stations. On the very first day, around 800 people visited the area.

– As a visitor, you usually work at one of the power grid companies that are members of Energiföretagen Sverige. Since the trade fair isn’t held every year, a lot of news comes out between events, says Matts Jörgensen, organizer and ordinarily employed at Falu Energi & Vatten.

Guided tours to help more people discover more

For the first time, we also participated as an exhibitor. Visitors could find us at station 5 “Vehicles and equipment”.

There we showcased our demo vehicle and our Volkswagen Crafter equipped with the MAD EasyLoad gantry crane, together with our vehicle converter Robin Arvholm from Cityverkstaden. Read more about our recent visit to them here.

According to Matts Jörgensen, the trade fair’s concept is quite unique.

– It’s an enjoyable station because it is broad, yet targeted at people working out in the field, such as electrical fitters and technicians.

He also highlights the advantage of the guided tours.

– Many companies like to send their staff here because of the guided tours. In a friendly way, you are encouraged to walk around and discover everything in the area and meet others in the industry. All exhibitors are handpicked to be able to contribute products, services, or methods relevant to the visitors’ operations.

Popular Crafter equipped with MAD EasyLoad

Something that attracted extra attention in our stand was the MAD EasyLoad gantry crane. The solution is available in two models and handles lifts from 250 kg up to 500 kg.

Visitors were able to try operating the crane themselves by lifting a cable drum with copper cable, something that sparked great interest during the days.

Join us around the trade fair

During the trade fair, we also took the opportunity to visit several other stands to hear more about the latest solutions and innovations in the industry.

Among others, we met students Gustav Hensvik and Rasmus Eriksson from Åsbro Kursgård, who are training to become power line installers and demonstrated how pole climbing training works.

– We work with all voltage levels from 0.4 to 400,000 volts. Åsbro Kursgård is a large facility and one of the few that trains for work up to 400,000 volts, says Gustav Hensvik.

Drones protecting bird life

We also visited Vattenfall’s stand where Emmeli Glader talked about their work with the “Birdflapper” drone.

– It is used to install reflectors and lines to protect bird life, but also to reduce the risk of power grid outages, says Emmeli Glader.

In addition, we got a demonstration of how a suction excavator works at the company Sugbilar.se.

– You vacuum up the material instead of using excavators. We use plastic pipes in the technology to minimize the risk of damaging cables, says Anders Fornnell from Sugbilar.se. The method is also used in environments where you need to be extra careful with tree roots, for example.

Just like many other exhibitors, Anders Fornell appreciated the fair and hopes to be back again next time.

Do you work in the power grid industry yourself and are looking for a service vehicle with a focus on smart and practical storage? Contact us and we will help you find the right solution.