18. Apr 2008 00:00 12. Aug 2009 16:24

Connected Clothing

Helsebygg, The Hospital Development Project for Central Norway, and Texi AS have agreed on deliveries of textile automats for employee clothing in the amount of NOK 20 million in Phase II.

The contract is an option from Phase I. In total the buildings in Phase II will require 112 storage closets in five locations. There will be thirteen return automats. Texi’s founder, Vidar Kalheim, is very pleased about the order.

	Purchasing Manager Kjell Olav Lyngsmo from the Hospital Development Project and Texi founder, Vidar Kvalheim sealed the deal, worth millions, with a handshake in front of an employee clothing storage closet.

- This means a lot in our market, that an existing customer takes the next step and renews their trust in us. It means that not only have we managed to deliver the unique solution we first presented for the Development Project, but that we aso have managed to instill faith in the textile automats will be a support function for the users also in the future, says Kvalheim, who expounds on the history to date:

- The textile automats have been used daily for two years by several thousand users, and there have been startup glitches. Among other things, we experienced that the closet doors banged in such a manner that the doors did not quite close. Last year we replaced all doors with new, and at the same time inserted glass sections in the doors, so that one no longer needs to open an empty closet. The return automats will also be upgraded before Building Phase II, promises Kvalheim.

During this period Texi has grown from two to four employees, and has orders from Haugesund Hospital, Ullevål Hospital and from Sweden. In 2006 Texi, along with St. Olavs Hospital, received the Nordic prize ”Guldtäggen” for best RFid-solution, and the European patent for the solution was granted in February of this year. Their business turnover for 2007 will bring in NOK 10 million.

- Our solution is space-saving, the rate of clothing exchange increases by up to three times, and all pilfering problems eliminated. If we manage to maintain positive references from satisfied customers, this will be a good basis for future expansion – currently in Scandinavia, says Kvalheim.

20. Sep 2007 00:00 12. Aug 2009 16:22

20. Sep 2007 00:00 10. Aug 2009 10:41