After a successful debut last year, leading European steel cladding systems specialist Trimo will be returning to the Big 5 show with a display designed to promote its wide range of fireproof sandwich panels and build-up containers in the Middle East. 

“After a very positive response at last year’s show where we concluded some good business deals, we decided to showcase our products once again at the most popular construction event in the region, which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the region,” says Maja Lapajne, head of marketing of the company, which specialises in providing non-combustible cladding systems for steel and concrete building systems and quick assembly containers.
“We will be offering ccomplete solutions for roofs and façades with our spectrum of fire-proof roof and façade panels, including some products that we will be launching for the first time in the Gulf.  These comprise the Trimoterm FTV Gladio (fireproof smooth façade panels), FTV MultiVario (fireproof façade panels), FTV Invisio (fireproof façade panels with concealed fixings) and TrimoRaster (modular façade systems). Also under the spotlight will be some of our other products such as Trimoterm FTV (fireproof façade panels), Trimoterm SNV (fireproof roof panels) and the Trimo containers,” says Lapajne.
Having established a reputation in Europe for its innovative solutions in the area of steel construction, Trimo is looking to popularise its systems in the region. Among the major ongoing projects in the Gulf to which the firm is supplying is the Airbus Spares Centre in the UAE with Amana Steel Buildings Contracting Company as the main contractor. The project, which is expected to be completed by next April, calls for the supply of Trimoterm Gladio façade panels with a range of flashings and decorative elements.
As a leader in the engineering and manufacturing of pre-fabricated buildings, Trimo’s  fire-proof panels, which are meticulously designed and made of carefully selected materials to ensure excellent technical properties, he says. They are made of two profiled galvanised and painted metal sheets with an insulating core in between made of non-combustible laminated mineral wool of class A1. All three layers represent a compact fireproof sandwich element.
While Trimoterm FTV, FTV Invisio, FTV Gladio and FTV Multi Vario are designed for façade and partition walls, Trimoterm SNV fireproof panels are suitable for roofs.
Elaborating on the systems that will be launched on the Gulf market, Lapajne says: “Trimoterm FTV MultiVario are unique in the global market in that the systems offer more than 60 possible combinations of the enlarged micro-profile, allowing the architect the ultimate freedom of expression and the ability to design buildings of a truly individual character.
“Trimoterm FTV Gladio facade panels are completely and optically flat, being manufactured using a special high-technology process that ensures an optimal flat surface.
“To create an aesthetic façade panel where all the fixing are concealed, Trimo took its existing construction systems and upgraded them to create the Trimoterm FTV Invisio, which combines an aesthetic finish with excellent technical properties. All fixing elements in this system are incorporated in the panel joint and are therefore not visible after assembly.
“The TrimoRaster is a new modular façade made of fire-proof sandwich panels with an emphasised joint on all four sides. The façade system, which combining the functional advantages of façade panels and an aesthetic design, is available in various sizes and colours.”
Trimoterm FTV fireproof panels are used for a wide range of external facade cladding, internal partition walls, fire walls and ceilings for leisure, commercial, industrial and other facilities.
“The SNV fireproof roof panels, meanwhile, are an excellent solution for sloping roofs in commercial, cultural and industrial buildings,” he says.
Trimo also specialises in the manufacture of modular buildings for offices and other accommodation. They can be used as independent stand-alone units or connected together in large compound facilities.
Established in 1961 in Slovenia, Trimo has more than 40 years of experience in the engineering, manufacture and assembly of non-combustible cladding systems for retail, industrial, office, leisure, residential, airport and other buildings.  Its sphere of activities cover pre-fabricated steel buildings, steel structures, facades, roofs, containers and sound-insulating systems.
“Trimo is recognised as one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of thermal insulated/fire-rated roofing and façade panels, as well as build-up containers. Its system comprise fire-resistant, thermally-insulated panels filled with mineral wool and have been tested and approved to all major European standards including ISO 9001: 2000, ISO 14001: 1996 and OHSAS 18001 as well as FM and LPCB,” he says.
Trimo is part of the Trimo Group, which has recorded sales revenues of $104.2 million from January to July this year, which surpassed its revenue by 27 per cent over the same period last year. Trimo accounts for around 60 per cent of the group’s revenue. The export market accounted for 72 per cent of the group’s sales over this period, Lapajne points out.
“In the first eight months of this year, sales at Trimo have touched $118 million, which is 12.3 per cent above the target set for the period with exports also having increased by 21.3 per cent,” he adds.
Lapajne is satisfied with the company’s performance, considering that the forecast for this year has been for increasing competition and escalating prices. “We had planned for a five per cent growth for this year, anticipating stiffer competition with the growing number of number of suppliers entering this field.  In addition, we expect prices of raw materials to increase. Given this scenaro, we have been looking at various ways to sustain our continued growth in the near future,” says Lapajne.
Over the year, Trimo has made significant investments in expanding its facilities in Slovania, which has entaile the construction two buildings – a high-rack warehouse for storing finished products and a research and development facility as well as in development of information technology.
Trimo has a staff of 474 employees while the entire group has 862 employees.
Its impressive client portfolio includes many well-known international companies such as Bovis Land Lease, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, Ikea, Nestlé, Masterfoods, Continental, Airbus and Agip, among others.
Trimo will be showcasing its products in the Maktoum Hall Stand B421.