NEWS
QUICK-STEP'S GROWTH AMBITIONS SECURED WITH €30M INVESTMENT
Unilin CEO Wim Messiaen said: “Through this investment we have once again pushed the boundaries in the flooring industry. This brand-new production line is the undisputed top of the bill of the flooring sector. The investment enables us to manufacture the finest and most high-performance floors in an extremely efficient manner. Today we once again bolster our position as world leader in high-performance laminate flooring.”
Quick-Step, is sold worldwide in over 8,000 stores. The investment in Wielsbeke is part of Unilin’s wider investment strategy in laminate flooring. In January 2025, the foundation stone was laid for a new laminate plant in Brazil, which will act as a hub for the growing Latin American market. The new laminate press in Belgium pushes the boundaries of laminate technology and consolidates the status of the Wielsbeke site as a worldwide R&D centre for laminate flooring.
LAMINATE: THE FLOOR OF THE FUTURE
Quick-Step, the most renowned flooring brand of Unilin, has announced the inauguration of the world's most innovative and high-performing laminate press. This groundbreaking production line, a €30m investment, marks a new milestone in the growth strategy. With the new line, Quick-Step is fully committed to laminate flooring as the sustainable, European choice.
NEW MILESTONE IN LAMINATE TECHNOLOGY
The new production line, with a capacity of 2 million square metres of laminate floors per year, is the world’s most advanced laminate press. The €30m investment increases the maximum production capacity by 25% and manufactures floors up to 30% faster than other lines. The deployment of artificial intelligence and advanced camera technology guarantees unrivalled speed and precision for the new press, resulting in floors with unprecedented performance and design. Compared to other laminate presses, the new line doubles the structure depth in the wood core, giving Quick-Step’s top models an extremely refined depth structure that makes them indistinguishable from actual wood. Flexibility is another asset of the new line, which is able to produce two designs at once thanks to the use of high-tech robots.
A NEW ERA FOR BJELIN GROUP
Bjelin is entering a new phase of growth with a strong industrial focus, marked by the formation of Bjelin Group, which consolidates seven companies under one structure fully owned by Pervanovo Invest AB. This strategic shift will streamline development and production across three key areas: floors, furniture, and veneers – with veneer as the central component in both flooring and furniture. Fredrik Alfredsson becomes CEO while Magnus Eriksson is appointed CFO.
Having established a strong presence in the residential flooring market, particularly with its wide Woodura Planks, Bjelin is now extending its commitment to the global commercial sector. The company will intensify its focus on real estate developers, hotels, restaurants, offices and retail spaces, reinforcing its market presence across Scandinavia, Europe, APAC and the Americas.
8
Laminate is a consumer favourite in terms of flooring thanks to the unique combination of quality, sustainability and affordability. As a result of the latest developments in design, laminate floors are now so realistic as to be almost indistinguishable from solid wood floors. Moreover, the easy installation with click system is a major asset. Quick-Step floors are not only scratch- but also water-resistant, offering a solution that lasts a lifetime.
“Laminate is much more than just an affordable floor”, said Unilin CEO Wim Messiaen. “It’s a sustainable product that excels in quality and aesthetics thanks to our innovations. We continue to invest in technology to be able to provide our customers with the best floors.
“Sustainability is central to Quick-Step's strategy. Wood, a renewable resource that captures CO2, is the main raw material. The core of laminate floors (HDF) is produced using reclaimed wood. This is waste wood from other industries, such as sawmills or road maintenance. In recent years, we have pioneered the flooring sector. Thanks to our patented recycling technology, Quick- Step is the first and only one that can now fully recycle laminate floors. This turns laminate into a 100% circular product that can be recycled into a new floor at the end of life.”
www.quick-step.co.uk/en-gb
To lead this transformation, Fredrik Alfredsson, formerly Global Head of Sales, has been appointed CEO of Bjelin Group. He said: “This is an exciting and unique opportunity to apply my experience, ideas and vision to an industry I know well. We are building a strong industrial group with an innovative product. The investment is made and now we execute."
Sebastian Vrbanc, currently Head of Industrial Activities, will step into the role of Chief Operation Officer, bringing over a decade of experience in flooring production. CFO Magnus Eriksson brings extensive experience, and he joins the group from his recent role at Stommen, a European furniture group. Ulrik Petersson has also joined the group as Chief Marketing Officer.
Bjelin’s founder, Darko Pervan, remains Chairman of the Board with Tony Pervan, Daniel Pervan and Fredrik Alfredsson as board members.
www.bjelin.com
www.tomorrowscontractfloors.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46
