Flexible local cooling for expanding Swedish company
When the summer sun burns on the 4,700 m² workshop roof at the company Kvarnstrands in Småland’s Ekenässjön, 8 Rex Nordic Eco Coolers now keep the temperature in the premises at a pleasantly cool level. Inside the workshop of the family company Kvarnstrands, 50 of the total of 95 employees work at several different machines to manufacture and sharpen top-class cutting tools for the wood industry in Europe. The machines used are CNC machines, washing machines, oil purifiers, and robots. In recent years, the business has grown, and with more heat-generating machines in the premises and with restrictions on ventilation on the facade, the indoor climate during the summer months has become a challenge for the company and its employees. Maintenance manager Alexander Sellman did careful research on which cooling solutions could work for the company’s needs – today and also in the future. -Our business is constantly developing, and we need a flexible solution for cooling the premises, says Alexander, who has worked at Kvarnstrands for 17 years. Based on changed EU regulations in the future, the choice of cooling medium was an important issue for us to take into account. Kvarnstrands took help from Rex Nordic’s technical sales advisor in Sweden, Jon Lindahl, to find the best solution for their conditions. The choice fell on 8 REX14000, which are deployed in strategic locations in the premises. -We are noticing that many companies in the manufacturing industry have the same challenges, and it is very rewarding to be able to assist with affordable solutions with the launch of the Eco series, says Jon Lindahl. Kvarnstrands was founded in 1939 in Ekenässjön and the business premises have been expanded several times since then. To be able to shop locally was an important factor in why the choice fell on RexNordic. -We prefer to shop from our neighbours and here we were able to buy the machines through Axima in Vetlanda and get good and fast help and support from a Swedish salesperson, says Alexander. At Kvarnstrands, the evaporative coolers are running throughout the working hours. And the employees have found clever ways to keep the tanks filled and maximize the cooling effect. -We exercise our fire hoses and fill the coolers directly with them, says CNC technician Violand Tiku, who also puts a few ice cubes in the water to get extra efficient cooling when the outside temperature reaches above 30 degrees Celsius. The coolers were delivered just a couple of weeks ago and the employees are already experiencing less heat stress. -Yes, there is a big difference and it is very nice with the cooler air, says Sara Vilhelmsson, CNC operator. Another advantage is that the coolers are energy efficient, the REX14000 model draws only 510W, and can easily be connected to a standard 10A outlet in the room. Violand Tiku has a REX14000 placed about 10 m away and he appreciates the coolness a lot. -It’s really great, he says enthusiastically. Previously, I only had two normal room fans in this corner, but with the coolers’ adjustable fan I can adjust the airflow myself and adapt it based on the outside temperature. Jon Lindahl sees an increasing interest in evaporative coolers in many different businesses, including in milk production and the entertainment and event industry. -These coolers really create many great opportunities for RexNordic to reach new customer groups and I look forward to continuing to develop sales, he says. Contact sales to to hear more
Keeping stable cool: How the REX14000 keeps horses comfortable
Key benefits Cools by up to 12°C: Maintains a comfortable environment for horses. Safe and chemical-free: Utilises evaporative cooling Whisper-quiet (55 dB): Keeps the peace in animal environments. Portable and compact: Easily repositioned around stables and arenas. Improved staff comfort: A cooler environment for grooms and handlers. Field-tested performance: Larger Rex Nordic units, such as the REX25000, deliver powerful cooling and help keep horseflies at bay outdoors. Beating the heat in horse stables During hot summer days, when temperatures inside stables soar above 30°C, horses can suffer from stress and disruption to their routine. To tackle this challenge, a European stable turned to the REX14000 Air Cooler for an effective solution Understanding the challenges heat brings to stables Most stables had to contend with extreme heat during summer periods, compromising both horse welfare and performance. Conventional solutions like fans or air conditioning systems often come with drawbacks – fans merely push hot air around and require bulky equipment, while air conditioning can be costly and impractical in a stable setting. A breath of fresh air: How the REX14000 makes a difference The REX14000 was selected for its portability, lightweight design, quiet operation, and simple plug-in setup. It delivered up to a 12°C drop in temperature depending on the ambient heat. Using natural evaporative cooling with water and optional ice cubes, it provided a safe and effective cooling method for horses and handlers alike. The unit requires a steady water supply or manual refilling to operate. While it does not remove humidity from the air like a traditional air conditioner, good airflow from open windows or vents helps maintain a comfortable stable environment. Its ultra-quiet operation at just 55 dB ensured horses remained calm, while its compact design minimised disruption in busy stables. Unlike fans, which simply stir up hot air, the REX14000 creates a refreshing, cool breeze. On the ground: horses’ response and staff feedback The stable manager noticed a marked improvement in the horses’ comfort. Horses seemed more relaxed, some even lingering near the cool airflow. Training sessions became more productive, and general horse welfare improved during the hottest months. Stable staff appreciated the unit’s mobility, making it easy to move between stables, arenas, and grooming stations. They also found their working conditions much more bearable. Why the REX14000 is an essential addition for stables The REX14000 Air Cooler has proven to be a reliable and animal-friendly way to keep stables cool during the summer heat. Its quiet, effective cooling improves horse comfort and performance. Some stables in Europe have also tested the larger REX25000 models for outdoor use, achieving excellent results. These units not only provide robust cooling but also help deter horseflies, a common nuisance in fields. Horses were seen enjoying the airflow and the reduced presence of biting insects, underlining the value of REX Nordic’s air cooling solutions for both indoor and outdoor equestrian settings. This case illustrates the versatility of the REX14000, making it an ideal solution for any animal facility or workspace needing safe, efficient cooling.
Airrex diesel heater – lasting warmth and proven savings
Good heating isn’t just about raw power – it’s about efficiency, comfort, and control. Airrex diesel infrared heaters have proven that steady warmth doesn’t have to mean high running costs. The following real-world examples show how Airrex keeps large workshops, warehouses and industrial spaces warm throughout the winter – while keeping fuel use impressively low. Proven results with infrared heating: only 2.5 litres per day Many people are surprised to discover how little fuel Airrex diesel heaters actually use. They are designed to heat spaces evenly and efficiently, without wasting energy where it isn’t needed. Grels Ström, a retired technical expert from Rex Nordic, uses an Airrex heater in his 480 m³ warehouse. The building has ceiling insulation, plasterboard walls, and a concrete floor – a structure that holds heat extremely well. Previously, the space was heated with direct electric heating, but switching to diesel has cut both consumption and costs dramatically. Ström explains: “At first, fuel use can be a little higher. It usually takes about a week or so for consumption to settle. Infrared heat is absorbed directly into the structures, and once they’re properly warm, surprisingly little fuel is needed to keep the temperature steady.” He maintains an indoor temperature of +15 °C even when it’s around 0 °C outside, and daily fuel consumption averages just 2.5 litres of diesel. His Airrex heater has run reliably without any issues or need for servicing. A brief period of higher consumption at the start is perfectly normal – the building materials often contain moisture that needs to dry out first. Once they’re dry, the system reaches maximum efficiency. This is where Airrex infrared technology excels: the heat is stored in the structure and released steadily back into the space. After that, only short heating cycles are needed to maintain comfort – and the savings are clearly reflected in the fuel bill. Smart thermostat keeps consumption under control Every Airrex infrared heater is equipped with an intelligent built-in thermostat that keeps fuel use to a minimum. The unit starts and stops automatically to maintain the desired temperature. Diesel is metered precisely – only as much as needed and not a drop more – which keeps consumption extremely low. In everyday use, the heater runs independently. Once the building’s structures are warm, the unit maintains a steady temperature with short operating cycles. There’s no need for constant adjustment – the thermostat does it all automatically. Unlike traditional fan heaters, Airrex units don’t blow hot air towards the ceiling or outside when doors open. Infrared heat is directed straight into walls, floors, and machinery, which absorb and store the warmth. As a result, energy use stays exceptionally low, and if a door is opened, the stored heat quickly restores the indoor temperature. Long-term savings with Airrex diesel heaters Markku Ojanen has experienced the same results first-hand. He heats a 360 m² insulated hall, three metres high, which used to rely on radiators and fan heaters. The old system consumed around 2,500 litres of oil each year. After switching to an Airrex AH-300 diesel heater, the difference was immediate. In the first winter alone, fuel use dropped to about 1,000 litres per year – less than half of what it was before. He keeps the hall at +9–10 °C, raising it to +13 °C while working. Over ten years, the savings have totalled around £8,500–£9,000, and the same heater is still operating flawlessly today. “Maintenance has always been done on time, but it’s never needed a single repair,” Ojanen says. “It just keeps running.” Sustainable warmth you can feel Airrex infrared heating works on a simple but powerful principle: instead of heating air, it radiates warmth directly into surrounding surfaces. Floors, walls and equipment absorb the heat – just like sunlight warms your skin on a cool day. Once these surfaces are warm, they release the heat evenly back into the room, creating a consistent indoor temperature. This stored warmth acts as a natural heat buffer, which keeps fuel consumption low after the first weeks of use. The heater only runs as much as is needed to maintain the balance. That’s the key difference between infrared and traditional fan heaters. Infrared heat doesn’t escape when doors open or air moves. The stored heat within the structure quickly restores the temperature, keeping warmth where it’s needed and savings ongoing. Site 1 – Warehouse Type: Warehouse 480 m³ Structure: Concrete floor, insulated ceiling, plasterboard walls Previous heating: Direct electric New solution: Airrex diesel infrared heater Maintained temperature: +15 °C in mild winter conditions Average daily fuel consumption: ~2.5 litres of diesel Maintenance: Reliable operation, almost no servicing required Savings: Considerably lower consumption compared with the previous system Site 2 – Industrial hall Type: Insulated hall 1 080 m³ (360 m², 3 m height) Previous system: Radiators + fan heaters Previous fuel use: ~2,500 litres of oil per year New solution: Airrex AH-300 diesel heater Current fuel use: ~1,000 litres per year Years in use: 10 years Estimated savings over 10 years: £8,500–£9,000 Reliability: Same unit still operating perfectly, no repairs needed