Under the brand name Lattix®, Lattix Production AB provides mast systems for road traffic, aviation, and multi-purpose applications. Having a strong focus on research and development Lattix Production AB has a leading position in passiv safe, lightweight, and frangible mast systems.
Lattix® is the leading brand for passive safety road traffic structures in the Northern European Countries, UK and Australia. Further, Lattix® frangible aviation mast solutions have been delivered to ca 250 airports in more than 40 countries.
Lattix Production AB is headquartered in Dals Långed in Dalsland, Sweden, close to the Norwegian border. Sales and engineering have satellite facilities in Norway.
Interview with Gunnar Bendigtsen, Managing Director at Lattix.
Easy Engineering: A brief description of the company and its activities.
Gunnar Bendigtsen: Lattix masts have saved thousands of lives over the decades, and millions of Euros to local economies. We all make mistakes as drivers and this should not result in a death sentence.
Lattix was the first recognized Passively Safe mast in Europe, and the fact the company continues to grow and develop so many years on is testament to the product and the company.
Lattix® designs and manufactures aluminum masts and structures that are passively safe, strong, and frangible. Lattix Production AB sells mast systems for road traffic, aviation, and multi-purpose applications all over the world under the brand name Lattix®.
Lattix Production AB is a pioneer in passively safe, lightweight, and frangible structures, with a strong emphasis on research and development. While the masts are safe for their surroundings, they also contribute to a positive climate footprint with low carbon emissions and a high degree of recyclability due to their aluminum construction.
Lattix Production AB is based in Dals Långed, Dalsland, Sweden, near the Norwegian border. In Norway, we have satellite offices for our sales, design, and engineering departments. Lattix® has pioneered the passive safety market thanks to a strong focus on research and development, as well as innovation and creativity. Lattix® has grown into a global brand, with patented and certified products that save lives every day!
Environmental benefits
Lattix® masts are made of aluminum, a sustainable material that can be recycled indefinitely with little energy consumption. In fact, more than 80% of all aluminum used globally is recycled. Handling and installing the masts takes less time, and less equipment is needed around the workplace, providing additional safety for workers.
Sustainable throughout the value chain
Because aluminum is lighter than steel, it saves fuel during transportation of the masts from the factory to the roadside locations where they are mounted. This, combined with the low maintenance and ease of installation, further reduces the CO2 emission footprint, making them a low-cost sustainable solution. Our masts can also be cut on-site, giving the end user maximum flexibility.
No need for replacements
Aluminum masts made by Lattix® do not corrode. They have even been approved for installation along the harsh Norwegian coastline, which suffers from severe weather and a constantly salty environment. This increases the working life of the masts over steel constructions and reduces the need for maintenance.
Positive life cycle assessment
In comparison to products made from less sustainable materials, aluminum’s unique properties provide the overall prerequisites for a positive life cycle assessment – economically, technically, and environmentally.
- Low carbon footprint and zero-emission energy (hydro power) result in one of the lowest CO2 emissions in the world
- High degree of recyclability, with more than 80% of aluminum material reused It is therefore obvious for us to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in these areas.
EPD and sustainability
Lattix® has focus on EPD certification and our carbon footprint. Our focus is always to reduce our CO2 emissions. Our suppliers and partners are also advised likewise. In addition to the EPD work, our focus is to be up-to-date on relevant regulatory requirements and norms as well as using recycling programs.
Certification:
- ISO 9001:2022 certified
- EN12767:2019; Passive safety of support structures for road equipment. Requirements, classification and test methods
- EN12899-1:2007; Fixed, vertical road traffic signs. Fixed signs.
Compliance:
- ICAO Aerodrome; Aerodrome design manual, Part 6, Frangibility, Doc 9157
- ICAO; Annex 14; Volume 1
- EASA CS-ADR-DSN; Certification Specifications and Guidance Material for Aerodromes Design
- FAA; AC 150/5220-23 “Frangibility Connections”
E.E: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
G.B: A global player
Lattix® is the only global brand that is certified to cover both the traffic and aviation markets.
Lattix® masts distinguish themselves from other traditional mast structures due to their distinct and recognizable design. The masts can also be used for antenna structures and sea markings, and because of their modular design, they are simple to implement in a wide range of industries and applications. Lattix® is the market leader in the Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and has supplied frangible approach light masts and other antenna structures to over 450 airports worldwide.
Products that add value and make a difference Lattix® products can be adapted for a variety of purposes and applications that require various types of support or mast constructions. Our products are modularly structured, which means that they can all be tailored to specific customer requirements or used in conjunction with one another. Our laboratory is cutting-edge, and all products are thoroughly tested before delivery.
Innovation and design
Lattix® strives to optimize and adapt through trusted partners and discerning customers. We see a constant need for new products and technologies being developed and implemented as our global markets develop.
Our products and services provide significant value, including:
- • Modular and flexible • Easy to adapt
- • Calculation services • Easy, cost-efficient, and time-saving installation
- No service or maintenance required after installation
- Design in accordance with our customers’ requirements
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
G.B: Lattix® recently delivered a very special frangible aviation Localizer array mast system to a client in Burma. The system consists of 20 very tall Instrument Landing System localizer antennas (ILS LLZ) with specially designed maintenance walkways at a total height of more than 10 meters.
Lattix has delivered to more than 450 airports across the world, and is a preferred supplier at many large airports, like for example Hongkong International Airport.
Further, Lattix® is used at more than 100.000 installations around in Europe and Australia, with big market share in the UK, Norway and several other domestic markets.
Lattix® recently hired two new sales managers:
- New European Sales Manager Traffic: Tim Daly
Tim is a highly specialized salesperson with more than 20 years of sales experience within the Passive Safe signpost traffic market in the UK.
He was instrumental in launching Lattix® from the very start back in the late 1900-ies.
Tim is valuable in developing the European Lattix® traffic market.
- Sales Manager, Aviation: Joakim Eivik
Joakim has many years experience with sales in the Aviation AGL airside and sector, and is a valuable asset in developing the Lattix® frangible aviation market.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
G.B: Aviation products
Perhaps the world’s safest frangible airfield mast system. Always absorbing energy, light and strong enough to withstand the harshest weather and loads. Our list of references is impressive, and we are honored to be trusted by clients all over the world.
Read on to learn more about our main product groups:
- Frangible approach light mast systems
The Lattix® approach light station systems are adapted to accommodate any instrumentation and lighting. The system is designed for safety and easy maintenance access to instrumentation. Systems available up to 16 m.
- Frangible FT towers
The Lattix® frangible tower systems are designed to accommodate any required instrumentation and antenna equipment. The system was designed for safety, ease of installation, access, and maintenance. The frangible towers feature a modular structure with adjustable heights and a variety of accessory kits.
- AWOS / Meteorological and wind cone mast systems
Lattix® meteorological and weather station systems are adapted to accommodate any instrumentation or meteorological equipment. The system is designed for safety and easy maintenance access to instrumentation.
AWOS/MET mast systems are frequently combined with perimeter surveillance and other camera solutions.
- Localizer (ILS) mast systems
The Lattix® LLZ systems are adapted to fit any LLZ antenna as well as the stringent ICAO requirements. The system is built for safety, with easy access to antennas and instrumentation for maintenance. A large number of DME and other antenna mast installations support this.
- Traffic products
The Lattix® traffic product system is intended for use in any roadside situation, with or without electrical equipment mounted. The product philosophy and goal is to cover the majority of demands for safe support structures alongside and over the road, while standardizing as much as possible in a few modular types to reduce costs and ease logistical challenges. Most importantly, the products help save lives.
The products can be combined with other external technologies or solutions, making them highly adaptable to a wide range of applications and market segments. Lattix® products, unlike traditional steel lattice structures on slip bases, are certified safe from every angle. Our traffic mast products meet European Passive Safety Standard EN12767 and have CE approval according to EN12899.
Our products are frequently used for mounting speed limit signs, traffic signals, lights, cameras, and other sensors, as well as advanced Intelligent Traffic Management solutions.
- Traffic applications
Solutions include among others masts for:
- • Signposts • Traffic signals
- • VMS • Off-grid IoT solutions
- • NPR parking and toll solutions • Surveillance, camera, scanner, and radar solutions
- • Gantries and cantilevers • Landslide/avalanche and triggering systems
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
G.B: The world is demanding the use of more recyclable and safe products. Lattix was at the forefront of this concept, long before it was in the public conscience and continues as a market leader in both traffic and aviation.
Reducing our carbon footprint is also a big issue and again Lattix has been ahead of the curve in this issue.
Making products easier to install on site and recuing the risk to workers on the roadside is another important issue to consider. With Lattix being easy, lightweight to install and replace should an accident occur we believe designers and road administrators should give careful consideration to the products used on our roadside.
With so many designers and consultants involved in road design, we feel it important that education on passively safe products is key in helping to make a correct and informed decision in the design and installation process.
There is a requirement for more lightweight overhead structures for major roads which are traditionally large heavy structures. Lattix has a range of options available in this market sector.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
G.B: Plate Line
The initial concept of the Lattix® mast was so innovative for its time and even today there is no other product available that can match it strength capabilities. The product has developed over the years moving to a high-tech single extrusion, moving away from the older and original design of crimping the sections.
E.E: What estimations do you have for the beginning of 2024?
G.B: The market is back and the next 3 to 5 years are looking good. There is constant need for improvements and development of existing product and solutions.
Being a significant supplier to roads side Passive Safety applications, as well as airside ICAO/EASA/FAA compliant applications, Lattix® is known for supplying safety products that save lives!
The market is becoming increasingly focus and on environmental impacts and how to secure future generations by reducing the CO2 emissions footprint.
With aluminum as the basic material in the Lattix® brand and its solutions, we are already geared for the very challenging EPD requirements that will emerge in the marketplace. And issues like recycling, carbon footprint and sustainability will become ever more important as we move forward.