Industrial building with timber frame

It is a crisp autumn morning when we meet outside Länghemskök’s headquarters, 30 kilometres outside Borås. Torbjörn Engström greets us and shows us in. With around 20 employees, Länghemskök manufactures ready-assembled kitchens sold through retailers from Skåne in the south to Borlänge in the north. The company was founded in 1951, and Torbjörn has been the owner since 1981. A generational shift has now begun, with his son Dennis Engström gradually taking over the business. 

But Torbjörn is not only in the kitchen business. For the past 34 years, he has also been a forest owner and a member of Södra. The forest is his greatest passion, and its management is something he takes very seriously. 

“Södra has a strong voice for forestry in public debate. They also give us the opportunity to manage the forest according to nature, instead of just chasing the best prices,” says Torbjörn. 

Three years ago, Länghemskök needed to expand. The operations were cramped, and the only way to grow was to extend the factory. Even at the idea stage, Torbjörn considered whether the factory building could be built in CLT. He contacted the brothers Gösta and Jörgen Johansson at Johansson & Ljunggren Bygg. Together, they investigated the possibility of building in CLT instead of concrete or steel, since CLT has a significantly lower climate impact than other building materials. 

“There were fire and sound requirements that meant a steel hall was not an option. But these requirements could be fully met with CLT, which of course lent weight to the argument for building in wood,” says Torbjörn. 

Gösta and Jörgen Johansson are based in Svenljunga and have both been forest owners and Södra members for 20 years. They have a keen interest in forest management, hunting and biodiversity, and spend a lot of time in the forest. 

“The forest is something you live with, all the time. If you believe in long-term forestry, it feels secure to have Södra behind you,” says Jörgen. 

In the winter of 2022, Torbjörn, Gösta, and Jörgen visited Södra’s CLT factory in Värö. Seeing the production on site further increased their interest in building with CLT. They requested cost estimates from several suppliers, including Södra. 

“There wasn’t any significant price difference, so we followed our hearts,” says Torbjörn about the choice of Södra as supplier. 

When the assembly began, it took only eight working days for four people. Thanks to the low weight of the material, the number of transport journeys could be reduced, and on site, a truck with a crane was used during assembly, which also simplified the process. 

“I must also praise the fit of the panels. They fit with absolute precision,” says Gösta. 

When asked if they’ve developed a taste for building with CLT, the answer is a clear yes. In addition to Länghemskök, they have considered building calf barns in CLT, something that would work well since the indoor temperature in wooden buildings is well regulated. 

Simon Kastari is project manager at Södra Building Systems, and also a forest owner and Södra member. He agrees that CLT is well suited for industrial and agricultural buildings. 

“In this type of building, CLT is used optimally by using large panels, enabling very efficient assembly. In addition, you get load-bearing capacity, fire protection, and surface finish without needing to add extra materials,” says Simon, who has worked closely with Torbjörn, Gösta and Jörgen before, during, and after the project. 

The expansion has been almost revolutionary for Länghemskök’s operations. The large spaces have enabled further expansion, and there is still plenty of space left. Both owners and staff appreciate the pleasant indoor climate and the pleasing aesthetics the timber provides. Since the factory was completed, they have invited the public and neighbours to open houses, lent the premises to local association meetings, and hosted both machine suppliers and retailers for visits. 

“We get a lot of positive reactions from visitors. It almost feels like a church, and there’s a wow factor every time,” says Dennis.