PROFESSIONAL PARQUET INTENATIONAL ::: Bimontly of technical information about parquet and other surfaces

::: �We bring out the best in WOODEN FLOORS�
PROTAGONISTS of Federica Fiorellini
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�It's a lifetime commitment. This is the essence of our way of thinking and our future direction�. We interviewed Kerstin Lindell, President and CEO at Bona.

Since 1919, Bona has worked with wooden floors and become experts in treating this fantastic material. Over the years company has evolved to become an international company specialising in developing and supplying products for the installation, renovation and maintenance of wooden floors.
Pioneering in 1979 with waterborne finishes, today Bona is a world leader offering a full range of environmentally sound products covering all wooden floor treatments.
To find out more, we interviewed Kerstin Lindell, President and CEO at Bona.

BONA wooden floors

Bona is, without a doubt, a global leader in the laying, treating and upkeep of parquet. What two key factors are responsible for the group�s success?
Kerstin Lindell: Two concepts - innovation and concern - sum up the driving forces behind Bona in our research to bring out the best in every wooden floor throughout the world. The focus on finding new solutions that improve working conditions for the craftsman has led to breakthrough innovations such as dust-free, ergonomic sanding machines, low VOC finishes and silane-based adhesives.
Our one brand strategy means that we collect all competencies under one brand. That�s why our portfolio covers everything from sanding machines, dust containment systems, abrasives and coatings to adhesives and floor care products. The Bona system is a complete product range with products that work perfectly with each other. Bona Lifetime Support is what makes Bona unique.
Our worldwide support is our way of sharing experience and expertise to make it easy to maintain a perfect surface all over the world - throughout the lifetime of the floor.

What�s behind Bona�s internationalisation strategy and how is this linked to its rise in turnover?
Kerstin Lindell: Today Bona is present through 18 subsidiaries and distributors worldwide. Despite being a large organization, we act in the same way across all markets. We work with the same values and beliefs. And all over the world, we stand by our mission: �We bring out the best in wooden floors�. Our strategy includes customer focus and to go with the growth. Recently this strategy has led to new establishments in Latin America and China and a new training center in Shanghai. Bona is the only global company in the business. This brings us close to our markets enabling us to establish good relations worldwide with our customers.
We learn to know their requirements and expectations of our products. In fact, despite the financial crisis, Bona was proud to have all-time high sales and operating profit in June this summer.

How much does Bona invest in R&D and how important is research for the group?
Kerstin Lindell: Innovation is one of our core values. Our company is driven by innovation and continuous improvements - nothing excites us more than constantly improving our products and services.
Naturally R&D is an important part of our company and involves about 40 colleagues (Bona in all have about 500 employees).
R&D has formed Bona to the company we are today. Bona�s innovations over our soon 100 years� history have resulted in the highest quality and most environmentally responsible floor finishing process. One of our most important challenges is to create products that work perfectly together - this forms a unique product range that really brings out the best in all wooden floors. By constantly offering the market innovative solution Bona is able to claim the leading position in wooden floor treatment.

::: ON TRACK FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Public opinion today is increasingly concerned with the themes of sustainability and eco- compatible production - two very topical issues at a political level too. Could you tell us what concrete action your company has taken, and is taking, in this regard?
Kerstin Lindell: Sustainability has always been top priority for Bona. We make sure that our solutions are always safe and sound to use. All Bona products are based on innovation with a sustainable perspective in mind, considering the floor, the craftsman and the indoor and outdoor environment. Bona has never waited for any authority to issue a directive; legislation and instructions, permits and conditions usually only set minimum requirements, whilst Bona aims to maintain the very highest of standards.
In our research and development work, Bona has cons tant ly sought to produce new products which reduce harmful environmental impact, and to reduce products which are harmful to health, while maintaining a balance with the demands of consumers for product applications.
When it comes to finishes, we have taken the lead in driving the category away from solvent based products. In 2009 we ceased to sell solvent based finishes in the EU and we now phasing out solvent based adhesives and floor care products in the EU by December, 2010. We are proud to offer a system with optimal lifetime and environmental performance.

How do you support your clients (dealers/fitters) and what tools do you offer them?
Kerstin Lindell: Through subsidiaries and distributors we have local presence in more than 50 different countries enabling us to be close to our customers and craftsmen. We provide our customers additional services such as support, advice and training in wooden floor treatment to help them run a profitable business. With our complete Bona system of products for installation, maintenance and renovation of wooden floors we offer our customers lifetime support.
The lifetime support offer is a concept that is unique for Bona that benefits our IC customers and contractors as well as the end users.

What�s in line for Bona in the future?
Kerstin Lindell: Our vision is to strenghten our market and innovation leading position and to continue our global growth. One of our strenghts are our environmentally sound products, which means that tougher environmental legislation would benefit Bona.

BONA wooden floors Bona lifetime support - includes services related to sales, marketing support, training, advice, troubleshooting and so on. This gives industrial customers the reassurance that Bona will support end-users in creating and maintaining a perfect surface throughout the entire lifetime of a wooden floor.