One global database

The internationally operating LKAB Minerals was looking for one global database to provide them information about the projects they can sell their heavy aggregate to; they found this with Building Radar. After one year of cooperation between LKAB Minerals and Building Radar, Ghislaine van Berkom from the Marketing and Communications Team of LKAB Minerals talks about the success story with Building Radar.

Leading position in industrial minerals

LKAB Minerals is internationally active in the industrial minerals market and holds a leading position within a number of product applications. LKAB Minerals is part of the LKAB Group, a Swedish state owned company and one of the world's leading producers of highly upgraded iron ore products. LKAB started operations in 1890 and today produces close to 27 million tonnes iron ore products and is a growing supplier of minerals, services and high-tech products for mining and other industries.

Current situation

One of the objectives of LKAB Minerals is to grow its core business by 15% per year. This means, of course, increasing sales with existing customers as well as adding new customers. In addition, the Swedish headquartered company also aspires to be an attractive employer with a safety first mindset for whom sustainability is also important. More details about its business and sustainability objectives can be found on the LKAB Minerals website.

International construction database

Due to its worldwide presence, LKAB Minerals was looking for a tool which helps them to identify the global opportunities to sells its minerals to the world. Specifically, the mineral product MagnaDense is sold to the construction industry. This product is added to concrete or separately as a ballast to increase the total density of a part of the construction. This is used to help to shield against radiation in healthcare related buildings or to overcome hydrostatic pressure from ground water in building with underground garages or tunnels. Building Radar provides information on constructions in all the different sectors that LKAB Minerals is selling their minerals too.Fast Facts LKAB Minerals, 2016Operations in 12 countriesTurnover: 163 million euroEmployees > 300Own deposits: Magnetite in Sweden, Mica in Finland, and Hydromagnesite Huntite in Turkey.Offer a portfolio of more than 30 minerals which are processed in plants for distribution worldwide.

Solution

Different local construction platforms have been evaluated. However, using multiple platforms in every relevant region does not only add cost but also involves extensive human resources. LKAB Minerals, therefore, was looking for a solution provider in an international context that also costs significantly less than the sum of several local platforms. Building Radar was the provider matching their needs in terms of cost efficiency and international coverage.

“We have seen over the past year that Building Radar has increased their project input, providing us with more and more information on relevant construction projects all over the world that could benefit from using our natural minerals.” - Ghislaine van Berkom

Result

One of the routes to new prospects is to learn about construction projects, LKAB Minerals could potentially participate in. This is where the international company trust on the input they get from Building Radar. Both in their established markets (Northern and Western Europe) as well in their emerging markets (Eastern and Southern Europe, USA and Asia) the Building Radar platform provides new construction leads for the sales team. The openness and willingness to improve that Building Radar has shown LKAB Minerals the past year is highly appreciated.

“We really feel that as a customer we matter and our feedback is valued and taken into consideration to improve the database.” - Ghislaine van Berkom

Read more about our infrastructure articles on our blog post side.