Kjell Antus
Head of Division
Mikael Lillvik
CEO, Prevex
The KWH Invest business group consists of a trading unit, Prevex, shareholdings in associates and the management of industrial premises, which are leased to external partners on long leases.
PREVEX
Prevex produces the world’s most effective and space-saving water traps. Our water traps come pre-assembled, and offer a variety of installation options thanks to their telescopic design. Our product design process combines the customers’ requirements with cost-effective production methods. This creates effective products offering real value for money, a combination that the market appreciates. The modest start in the 1950s laid a firm foundation for a company that now supplies a signicant amount of complete water traps for sink units and wash hand basins every year.
The Company has actively and successfully developed a close working relationship with several major players, and has earned an excellent reputation as the most reliable and most innovative supplier in the water trap sector. As a result, it is a market leader in its sector in Scandinavia.
The world’s most effective and space-saving water traps
Collaboration, automation, reliability and innovativeness
Acquisition of Winkiel Sp.z.o.o in Poland
| KWH Invest, Prevex | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
| Turnover, EUR million | 27.1 | 21.0 | 21.4 | 16.5 | 18.8 |
| Change, % | 29 | -2 | 30 | -12 | 2 |
| Exports and foreign operations, % | 88 | 85 | 85 | 80 | 80 |
| Share of group turnover, % | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Investments, EUR million | 6.5 | 4.6 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 1.3 |
| Personnel | 198 | 127 | 128 | 115 | 118 |
turnover
personnel
capital employed
UPONOR INFRA
On 1 July 2013, Uponor Infra Oy began trading, with the merger of the infrastructure solution business units of the KWH Group and Uponor. Uponor is Uponor Infra Oy’s majority shareholder (55.3%), and Uponor Infra Oy is consolidated in Uponor Abp as the Infrastructure segment. The KWH Group owns 44.7% of the shares.
During 2013–2016, the Company went through a major restructuring process with the aim of generating significant synergy and integration effects. The anticipated goals were reached.
The general economic situation has affected demand on Uponor Infra’s most important markets. The climate is not expected to change markedly in the immediate future. Overall demand in the main markets is expected to be stable.
The Company’s sales amounted to EUR 287.9 (312.0) million. During 2016, pipe production in Finland was concentrated in the main factory at Nastola. Profitability improved compared to the previous year, but was still unsatisfactory.