Flexus Balasystem AB delivers unique machines worldwide

One idea. One company. Thirty-five years later, a machine designed in Nossebro is used around the world.

You have probably seen large white bales in fields during the summer. They are most often used to store and convert grass into silage. The grass is harvested in the summer and used as animal feed during the winter.

But could the same method be used to store materials other than plant matter? That was the question two brothers in Nossebro, in the municipality of Essunga, asked themselves in 1992. By then, Jan and Bo had spent nearly ten years running a company focused on developing technical baling solutions for agriculture.

“We had plenty of work with agricultural equipment, but then the financial crisis hit and gave us time to think about new products. At the time, there had been a few attempts to bale other types of materials, but no machine had been developed specifically for that purpose. Baling waste requires a completely different level of force,” says Bo Ansbjer.

At their industrial facility in Essunga, they built a prototype: a powerful machine capable of baling all types of waste. Once the prototype was completed, funding was needed to scale up production, and external investors became involved. The company went through various ownership structures over the years, but today Flexus Balasystem AB is once again owned by one of its founders, Bo Ansbjer.

Delivering Worldwide

The machine works by feeding material into the system, where it is compressed into a bale and then wrapped in plastic film. This allows the material to be stored safely and in an environmentally responsible way. When it comes to waste management, the advantage is that bales can be easily stacked and stored instead of accumulating in large waste piles. Because the bales are completely sealed against both water and oxygen, no decomposition process can begin. This prevents the material from self-igniting or leaking environmentally hazardous substances.

“Our systems are used all over the world today. We have machines operating in the rainforests of French Guiana, in the Maldives, and in Greenland. At the same time, we also have a local sawmill using one to bale wood shavings. Although the basic design is the same, we are accustomed to making small adjustments to ensure the machine meets each customer’s specific needs,” says Bo.

However, the baling system is most commonly used as part of waste management operations. One frequent reason customers turn to the company is that they experience uneven waste volumes throughout the year. This is often the case in locations where the population increases dramatically during the summer months. By storing waste in bales, the workload on waste management systems can be distributed more evenly across the year.

Strong Local Business Community

At the production facility just outside Nossebro, every machine is built from the ground up. The process begins with bending sheet metal, followed by welding and the installation of mechanical components. Approximately ten to fifteen new machines leave the production line each year. In addition, older machines are often returned for refurbishment and continued use, most of them having been in operation for more than twenty years.

“We do as much as possible ourselves, but for a few things we bring in other companies. All of our subcontractors who manufacture components according to our drawings are located nearby. I don’t think any of them are more than 20 kilometres away,” says Bo.

For Bo, who was born and raised in Nossebro, there has never been any thought of leaving the area.

“Every place has its advantages and disadvantages, but there is a real sense of community among business owners here. If I need help with something, I know exactly who I can turn to. And I know they will help,” says Bo.

The strong sense of community is also reflected in the company’s low employee turnover. Of the approximately 30 employees at Flexus Balasystem AB, many have been with the company for a long time.

“When I took over the company again in 2003, we were ten people. Eight of them are still here today. Two are well over 70 years old and still work part-time. I hope that means people enjoy working here,” says Bo.