Interim report Q2 2025People Green Innovation Technology

"If we can make it now, we can make it anytime" - an adapted application of Frank Sinatra's stanza from “Theme From New York, New York”. The building materials market continues to experience historically low activity, which is reflected in our financial results. Despite this, Byggma has managed to achieve a surplus during a period of historical low construction activity. This is a clear demonstration of resilience and attests to the fact that all employees at Byggma are aware of their responsibilities. They roll up their sleeves and exert extra effort when needed. We should take pride in this accomplishment!

Huntonit Celebrates 75 Years. In 2025, Huntonit AS marks its 75th anniversary. The milestone was celebrated on May 12th with a gathering that included current and former employees, the Mayor of Vennesla, and various partners.

The celebration coincided with the inauguration of a new building extension, which will house a state-of-the-art painting line. This investment will enhance production efficiency and flexibility at Huntonit, enabling the company to offer a broader range of products than before.

The new facility stands as a flagship building for the Byggma Group. Its structure features I-beams from Masonite Beams, windows from Uldal, lighting from Aneta Lighting, chipboard from Forestia, and both interior and exterior walls in Huntonit panels.

This investment is part of a series of strategic initiatives aimed at securing long-term operations and profitability. Over the past 75 years, the factory has undergone multiple expansions and renovations. While dozens of fiberboard factories once operated across the Nordics during the 20th century, Huntonit remains the sole survivor. This is not due to luck, but to the organization’s dedication, strong culture, and ability to implement necessary changes.

In recent years, the company has faced significant challenges, including soaring energy and timber prices, as well as historically low demand for building materials due to a decline in housing construction across the Nordics. Production and sales have never been costlier or lower than they are today. These conditions must change to ensure the survival of the company and the preservation of jobs.

The way forward. While we cannot control the market, we can manage our priorities and actions to outperform the market and increase our market share. Although significantly fewer homes are currently being built in the Nordic region than are needed, a theoretical order backlog is forming, necessitating the construction of even more homes in the coming period to catch up. In recent months, the number of housing units sold has exceeded the number of housing units started, which is often a leading indicator that construction activity will increase in the future. There are growing signs that the market has bottomed out, but predicting the speed of normalization remains challenging. As the market gradually recovers, we are committed to improving ourselves and preparing our businesses for the anticipated increase in demand.

At Byggma, we have excellent machinery and equipment, but our most valuable resource is our people. Without your dedication, Byggma would not hold the position it does today. Thank you for your efforts so far in 2025. I look forward to continuing our work together in the future!