Rutab
Technical solutions for sustainable electrical transmission in buildings
Rutab is part of the Energy Business Area and is Sweden’s leading supplier of cable glands, grommets and protective hoses. Managing Director, Frank Robertsson, takes a positive view of the company’s future opportunities to upgrade customers’ premises with technical solutions for electrification and saving energy.
How would you describe your operations?
“We are involved in three areas of business: installation, industry and workplace lighting. Our business model primarily funnels sales through electrical wholesalers. Cable glands and protective hoses are what most people associate with Rutab, and this is where we have been the market leader in Sweden for many years. Historically, we have progressed from being a small agency to now being a solutions-oriented partner with a broad product portfolio.”
What are the most common sustainability demands from customers today?
“Our customers are primarily electrical installers, OEMs, industrial companies and craftsmen. Although requirements vary, it is often a matter of construction product assessment, sustainable material choices, environmental labelling and product declarations, environmental certification and meeting the customer’s Code of Conduct. We are also conducting several projects together with our closest customers regarding recycling of packaging and reducing transport to mitigate climate impacts.”
Which megatrend are you currently riding?
“The strongest driving force is definitely climate change and, with that, the need for technical energy saving and electrification solutions. For Rutab, this involves delivering various solutions for upgrading industrial premises in particular, adapting them to renewable energy sources, such as solar panels. Another area progressing towards a sustainable transition and where Rutab is truly at the forefront today, is the field of energy-saving lighting controls for various types of commercial premises.”
What happens next?
“Given our close relationships with wholesalers and customers alike, new business opportunities are continuously opening up for us. Today, we are also closer to our end-customers than we have ever been. So I take a highly positive view of Rutab’s future development. Our strategy for the future builds on expanding the number of new products, partly to build reliability of delivery, partly to facilitate international expansion. Accordingly, our pipeline includes acquiring manufacturers in our segment outside Sweden.
Frank Robertsson, Managing Director, Rutab