Just as its name suggests, MaxiDoor manufactures doors, sections, walls and facades for applications that demand the highest level of fire safety and protection.
“Many of our customers have businesses that require security-rated products,” explains Gustafsson. “In the beginning our products were mainly geared towards fire safety, and even forcible entry and exit. In 2016 we added explosion-proof doors to our product portfolio.”
The first contact in a productive relationship
It was during the development of the RC 4 security door that Gustafsson first came into contact with SSAB’s Ramor 500, the tested and certified armor plate used as drill protection for lock cases.
"We were working on a solution for a customer in England,” he says. “The safety requirements were high, and we had to quickly obtain a steel that met both the customer’s security requirements and our own technical requirements.”
The company needed to industrialize the manufacturing process in a smart way.
“We simply needed a steel that was both tough and durable, but at the same time bendable and possible to weld without losing its properties,” explains Gustafsson.
At that point Gustafsson approached Tomas Svensson-Brunstedt, specialist in SSAB’s armor and ballistic steels Armox and Ramor. Together they quickly found a good solution.
Test samples from SSAB help the buying decision
“My contact with Tomas was decisive in two ways,” says Gustafsson. “On the one hand, he explained what you could actually do with Armox, and on the other hand, he saw to it that we had test samples of the plate. That really meant a lot to us.”
He offers examples of when the material samples may have proved instrumental in winning a big order:
“Basic properties, like heat resistance and bullet protection, are easy to test,” says Gustafsson. “We get certificates with this information when the plate is delivered. But how does the plate hold up if someone is continually kicking the door? Now the customers could come here themselves and test it out. The result exceeded our expectations, and we got the order.”
Multi-component, multi-purpose doors require the best steel
A security door is much more than a door leaf in a protection plate. The door frame, fasteners and locks must meet the same high standards. This means that a lot of plate must be used before a door is ready for delivery.
“The door leaf consists of a combination of steel grades,” says Gustafsson. “This is because it’s supposed to provide fire and burglary protection, and sometimes bullet protection. So, unique solutions might be needed to ensure that it is not possible to drill through the faceplate and that the door still remains flat and attractive after painting and finishing. And it’s also got to be able to withstand someone’s breaking in with a crowbar without becoming deformed.”
Here, Armox offers clear advantages. Thanks to the springback, the results of the break in attempts were barely noticeable.
SSAB products save weight
Another benefit that Armox brings to MaxiDoor is the use of thinner plate in the doors.
“Weight means a lot in the entire chain,” says Gustafsson. “It means the most during installation work, but there are clear benefits of lighter products in our production and for the end user of the door.”
Today, not all installers are happy working with door leaves that weigh more than 150 kilos.
“But thanks to Armox and Ramor, we manage the weight for normal-sized doors,” says Gustafsson. “For example, we went from 4 to 3 millimeter thick sheet on the RC 4. That means we cut the weight by 25 percent and the solution by an amazing 20 kilos.”
MaxiDoor has high hopes for the UK market.
“Our sales staff have been trained on Armox armor plate by Tomas Svensson-Brunstedt,” he explains. “That was highly valuable training. Broader knowledge about the materials we use in our products provides a clear added value when customers are considering buying our doors.”
Looks do count
But before a deal is sealed, after the long list of requirements is met, one more item must be checked off:
“It’s got to look good,” says Gustafsson. “And our products do. We have delivered security-rated window frames to the National Museum and other projects with high standards on aesthetics. MaxiDoor always has a solution that works.”
