Cruise ships are sailing again and Metalcolour is adapting to a crazy world

‘These are clear signs that we should not take things for granted in the same way as before. We need to review our preparedness for unexpected events and crises,’ says Ingemar Forsberg, CEO at Metalcolour.

Despite the situation in the world, the industry news Metalcolour covers is once again beginning to deliver mainly good news. Many cruise ships have started to run their routes again and forecasts show that before the end of the year, traffic will be up and running again to the same extent as before the pandemic. ‘None of our planned projects have been cancelled and new orders for ships have also emerged. The fact that cruise ships are sailing again means that there are also new orders on its way.’

Like many other industries, maritimehas gone on the back burner during the pandemic. Despite the downturn, it still seems that most of the players have done surprisingly well and adapted their operations to meet the future. The war in Ukraine is already affecting the price and availability of a variety of raw materials, which will bring more challenges.

‘The marine market is our cradle, but we have now also increased our focus on the construction and railway industry to broaden our market. We are experiencing a good response and have been supplying materials for some time now that have been used for, among other things, security doors, interior fittings in elevators and in railway cars,’ says Ingemar.

Last fall, Metalcolour delivered the final batch of DOBEL Film Laminated Metal to Disney Wish. The vessel, which is being built at Meyer Werft in Germany, has room for 4,000 passengers and is scheduled to enter service in the United States and the Caribbean in the summer of 2022. In Metalcolour's order book, it currently looks good with several projects in line.

‘Right now, manufacturing and delivery to Icon of the Seas and Silver Nova is underway and we will shortly also start delivering materials for Carnival Jubilee,’ says Ingemar.

The products Metalcolour supplies are mainly used for wall panels and ceilings, but also for doors and wet units.

It is also pleasing that the fairs have started again on a broad front, it is Metalcolour's most important channel for dialogue with existing and new customers. However, the pause during the pandemic has meant that there are many fairs that will be arranged in 2022 and that compete for both exhibitors and audiences.

‘So far this year, we have already exhibited at four fairs and we will also be exhibiting at CSI Expo in Miami in June, SMM and Innotrans in September and CSI Expo in London in November.’

Ingemar emphasises that Metalcolour's focus on delivering high-quality products, being a flexible business partner and assisting with innovative solutions that increase value for the customer, is their key to success and part of the reason why they have done so well in times of crisis. With the products in the DOBEL series comes a quality and service guarantee that Metalcolour is alone to offer in the market. In uncertain times, the need for security that affects the choice of supplier increases. 

‘Our DOBEL products are well known in the industry for their high quality and we are often praised for our flexibility as a supplier. Over the years, we have also developed innovative solutions that have been beneficial both for our customer and for the end result. It is appreciated and helps us to create long-term business relationships,’ concludes Ingemar.

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