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ESICS

a game-changer in site design

In every telecom roll-out or equipment upgrade, the total weight and wind load imposed on the supporting structure increases. Keeping sites safe and antennas pointing in the right direction is hugely important. The ability to perform quick and accurate structural calculations is crucial.

What could possibly go wrong?

What are the consequences of getting the calculations wrong? Or even worse, not doing them at all?

If you’re too conservative, you will oversize the steelwork, leading to:

• Overstressing the existing structure from unnecessary weight and wind load
• Unnecessary difficulty of installation
• Safety risk increased from handling steelwork that’s too heavy
• Even with heavy and over-strong bracketry, there’s a risk of torsional slip at tubular parent members – antennas can end up pointing in the wrong direction
• Wasting money

If you underestimate the loads,

• Excessive deflection – the antennas point in the wrong direction
• Not safe to climb
• The steelwork can fail – a 100kg antenna falling onto a busy pavement is unlikely to have a happy outcome
• Potentially, forced to cease trading

Structural calculations for site steelwork are not just nice-to-have. They’re essential if you want to

• Have a safe site
• Have a value-engineered site
• Have great network performance
• Stay in business

Traditional methods of designing telecom steelwork are difficult, hard work, and time-consuming. In particular, accurate wind load calculation is difficult to learn, and tedious because you have to do it in 12 directions. It’s the sort of calculation that’s so complex, if you don’t do it every day, you have to relearn the principles each time.

Often, the temptation is to say, “well, this bracket was OK for an antenna about this size last week, so we’ll use it again here.”

Unfortunately, this is another location at a different altitude and height above the ground. The similarly sized antenna has a different profile coefficient that attracts double the wind load. The brackets aren’t OK.

ESICS (Enhanced Site Innovation and Calculation System) not only does it all for you in a ridiculously short time, it effectively teaches you the design method as you use it. The calculations can actually become fun, with graphical input methods and variable-selectors that calculate and display all possible values at once.

OK, it’s not an addictive video game, but we guarantee it’s a breath of fresh air compared to any method you’ve ever used before.

You don’t have to guess anymore – you can do the sums every time and know (and prove) that you’ve chosen the most appropriate bracket.

Calculations are stored in the app, so you can always refer back to them or add a new calculation for the same site. You can save them as a PDF for inclusion in the site handover pack.

ESICS accurately calculates wind loads in accordance with the Eurocode national annexes for the UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and other country codes will be added soon.

What about Significant Orography calculations, to consider the effect of sloping ground, hills and ridges, all with the wind blowing from any direction? Surely the most painful exercise ever to be devised by a design code writer? It’s automatic, of course.

Don’t just take our word for it…

Recently, RWDI was asked to act as checking engineer for the new ESICS wind loading calculator developed by MAFI Group.

We were pleased by how easy and intuitive it was to use the tool. 
Furthermore, we were impressed by how quickly the tool allowed an accurate and comprehensive calculation of the Eurocode wind loads to be undertaken.

Following our review of the ESICS wind loading calculator, we have started to use it internally, as a trusted tool, for our own code-based assessments.


John Kilpatrick, Practice Area Leader of Wind Loading

RWDI is a world-leading wind engineering, climate and specialist environmental consultancy firm with nearly 50 years’ experience. They have worked on projects all over the world, ranging from solar energy systems, long-span bridges, and low-rise buildings to super-tall towers, including the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

So what’s the cost of this groundbreaking patented software that’s going to save you weeks of work, guarantee safe value-engineered steelwork and keep you in business?

It’s absolutely free.

Don’t miss out – just go to ESICS in our menu to register!

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MAFI Group goes electric

Emma Haltorp, working in the MAFI Group Warehouse i Mora,by the new electric truck, the latest addition to the company´s fossil-free vehicles.

Now MAFI Europe drives an electric truck to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. -It is line with our goals that all vehicles should be fossil-free by the end of 2023, says Per Tägtström ,CTO

MAFI Group already bought its first electric car 2016. Today, all of the company´s vehicles in MAFI Europe are either hydrides or electric. The electric truck will be used in Mora with areas, as this is where MAFI Group has one of the Europen offices and one of its global logistics centers. –We choose fossil-free alternatives because it is a way for us to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, says Per.

“And we have it in the company´s DNA that we should do everything we can to make our planet a better place, so that it can be a good place to live for the future generations as well.”

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Faster and easier with a webbshop account

Keep track of your purchases with a webshop account
Having an account on MAFI Group´s webshop facilitates purchasing and keeping track of everything from what has been bought to current and previous invoices.”There are two ways of buying products from our webshop,” says Victor Bengtsson, Sales Manager of the UK, Nordic and Baltic.
”You can visit our open webshop, go through what you need and email your list to us. The other way is to create an account at MAFI Group, and enter the webshop with your username and password.”
With a username, all quotations and prices are shown, and as items are put into the basket, the total sum is continuously updated. When all items are in the basket, the order is sent with a simple click.
”All orders are checked manually,” Victor continues, ”and during office hours, this is normally done within 30 minutes after the order is sent.”
Creating a username is easy, and a company can have several.
”If you’re interested and want to have a webshop account, please get in touch with your regional sales representative,” Victor says. An account is usually set up within one working day.Please click here to find your regional sales representative:
www.mafigroup.com/contact/
Above: When logged on to MAFI Group´s webshop you have your prices available on all products. With one click you can ad the number of products into your basket to order.
Above: In your personal account, you have access to your open orders, quotations, invoices, and order statistics

Prestigieous Ericsson award to MAFI Group

”We are excited to announce that Ericsson has awarded MAFI Group the ´Global Supplier Resilience Award 2021´,” says Kent Hansson, acting CEO for MAFI Group.
This recognition is owing to MAFI Group’s continuous support of Ericsson by building a world-class global manufacturing and logistics network to mitigate supply chain and geopolitical risks.
Additionally, MAFI Group was one out of three global suppliers nominated for the 2021 ´Global Supplier of the Year´, with the following motivation:
All-round exceptional support and delivery, establishing new production sites for Ericsson and supporting R&D needs through innovative technologies.
”We are proud of our MAFI Group team, and we thank Ericsson for recognizing us as a world-class supplier with the ´Global Supplier Resiliency Award 2021´,” says Kent Hansson.

Do a virtual tour in the MAFI Academy Park

With MAFI Academy Park, MAFI Group´s solutions can be showed and explained in a live-stream event for viewers from anywhere in the world.
Or do a virtual tour in the park by clicking here.

Do a virtual tour in our Academy Park, and examples of sites in a 3D picture. Click on the camera icons and look closer on offsets, freestanders, brackets, wall brackets, and other solutions MAFI Group offers.

In our popular webinars, MAFI Group´s staff demonstrates the products and the participant’s questions are answered. Current and potential customers will have sufficient information to purchase what they need, without the need of traveling.
At the MAFI Academy Park, there are seven demo sites, ranging from utility poles, and wall mounts to various freestanding solutions.
The webinars are held in English, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Swedish and Albanian.
If you would like to book a webinar, please contact the MAFI VP for your region:

Africa and Middle East: Jan Sandén, jan.sanden@mafigroup.com
Americas: Tony Lane, tony.lane@mafigroup.com
Asia: Andy Zhao, andy.zhao@mafigroup.com
Europe: Andreas Persson, andreas.persson@mafigroup.com

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ESICS – A game changer in site design

MAFIGROUP is launching ESICS, a new tool for site design.

”I am convinced that it will revolutionize the lives of all those who work with site design,” says CEO Pierre Bengtsson.

ESICS stands for Enhanced Site Innovation and Calculation System, or what has already begun to be called “The Bracket Checker.”
Pierre Bengtsson explains its benefits:
”It is an extremely efficient tool that simplifies complex calculations. Based on a wide range of parameters such as equipment size and weight, wind load, and much more, it quickly calculates which brackets and other steelwork kits are required to design or upgrade a safe telecom site.”

In every roll-out, and also when more equipment is added to current sites, the total weight and wind load increase. The importance of keeping the sites safe and making sure that equipment will not fall into the street is of monumental significance, and thus also is making proper structural calculations.

However, every site is unique, and calculating each one by traditional methods takes time, especially when you also need to consider the wind conditions at the site.

”It is an extremely efficient tool that simplifies complex calculations based on a wide range of parameters.
MAFI Group´s new business area

ESICS lets you make an accurate automated calculation in just a few minutes. You simply put the site’s data into the App and add the location and height above ground. ESICS then takes local wind and topographical conditions into account and automatically calculates the 1 in 50-year peak wind pressure in all directions.

When all parameters are in the system, ESICS will suggest which poles, brackets, and other equipment you need to use.
”You can use ESICS to apply rigorous structural and wind analysis to find the most efficient FEA-analysed, physically tested, and CE-certified MAFI products appropriate for this application the site,” Pierre Bengtsson explains.
Once the site is finished, you can save it and download a pdf with loads of useful information about the site.

And, as a bonus, next time you need to add equipment to that particular site, a large portion of the work required to make new calculations is already done.

” ESICS is a game-changer,” says Pierre Bengtsson,” and it’s already available in the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and the US is next in line. As the demand is enormous, we’re working intensively to add all our markets.”

There is a lot to tell about ESICS, and you are welcome to www.mafigroup.com/esics for more information.

Xiomara Anguiano – New Supply Chain Specialist in the US
”It is important that we are adaptable.”

“Keeping customers happy is always what I aim for,” says Xiomara Anguiano, recently hired Supply Chain Specialist at MAFI Group USA.

Since May, Xiomara has been at the US office in Lewisville, not far from Dallas, Texas. Before that, she had in different service-oriented employments.
“I was thrilled to get the opportunity to work for MAFI,” Xiomara says.” It’s a new field for me, and I have learned a lot, which I find very enjoyable.”

An ordinary day for Xiomara may include placing orders, keeping track of orders, negotiate with suppliers, facilitate operations for the sales department, and keeping track of incoming and outgoing goods from the warehouse.
“I never have a dull day,” she says with a big smile.
When asked what customers expect from her, she thinks for a second and replies:
“I think consistency and dependability. But also the ability to adapt. Sometimes things happen, and we can’t do it as planned, then we need to make new plans and fix whatever needs fixing quickly. But that doesn’t just apply to me, but everyone at MAFI’s.
“Still, even when we need to fix things, I like to be creative and solve everything to our customers’ benefit. And I’ve learned that there is always a solution.”

Xiomara is originally from Forth Worth, also in Dallas. When she’s off work, she likes to spend time with her three dogs, two chihuahuas, and one Australian cattle dog.
” Yes, I’m a real ‘dog mom’,” she says and smiles.” I love spending time with them, like taking them on hikes or watch movies. I also like to cook, and although I’m not great at it, I recently tried making Swedish meatballs, and I loved them!”

Do a virtual tour in the MAFI Academy Park

In MAFI Group´s Academy Park you can do a virtual tour, and look closer on all interesting solutions by clicking the camera icons.

With MAFI Academy Park, MAFI Group´s solutions can be showed and explained in a live-stream event for viewers from anywhere in the world.
Or do a virtual tour in the park by clicking here.

Do a virtual tour in our Academy Park, and examples of sites in a 3D picture. Click on the camera icons and look closer on offsets, freestanders, brackets, wall brackets, and other solutions MAFI Group offers.

In our popular webinars, MAFI Group´s staff demonstrates the products and the participant’s questions are answered. Current and potential customers will have sufficient information to purchase what they need, without the need of traveling.
At the MAFI Academy Park, there are seven demo sites, ranging from utility poles, and wall mounts to various freestanding solutions.
The webinars are held in English, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Swedish and Albanian.
If you would like to book a webinar, please contact the MAFI VP for your region:

Africa and Middle East: Jan Sandén, jan.sanden@mafigroup.com
Americas: Tony Lane, tony.lane@mafigroup.com
Asia: Andy Zhao, andy.zhao@mafigroup.com
Europe: Andreas Persson, andreas.persson@mafigroup.com


STAY INFORMED

with our best mounting inspiration

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Updated Free Standing Corner Mount

This freestanding structure, MAFI 4610, delivers robust rooftop equipment-pole, or poles, without the need to penetrate weatherproofing layers.
Adjustable ballast-carrying cross beams enable the use of different sizes of concrete paving slabs depending on availability.
The pole, or poles, can be kept vertical even when the surface is sloping up to 4°.
The default pole size is Ø114.3 (4.5in) (designer to confirm length and section), but you can also specify Ø76.1 (3in) by using the product option U-bolt 2801-1.
The poles can be folded flat, facilitating both installation and maintenance.

The poles can be folded flat, facilitating both installation and maintenance.

Solar Energy –
MAFI Group´s new business area



Mounting systems for solar panels are developed according to the same standards as MAFI Group´s solutions for the telecom market.
“We have been working closely with one Swedish solar panel installer,” Nils Pettersson continues.
“With their industry experience, and with our know-how of making brackets, we have developed a fast-installed bracket for a tile roof.”
Designing mounting systems for solar panels has several requirements that are the same as for the telecom market.
“In both cases, an antenna or a solar panel needs to be safely and efficiently mounted. And in both cases, we have deep knowledge in calculating wind loads.”
The calculation tool ESICS will be launched shortly for MAFI’s telecom products. It will later be compatible with solar energy products. ESICS will facilitate fast and accurate calculations of solar sites, taking wind speed, snow load, and many other factors into consideration.

“As with our solutions for the telecom market, we provide both standard solutions, as well as tailormade products for special projects,” Nils Pettersson says. “And like our products for the telecom industry, we will provide quality and fast-installed products with few parts also for the solar energy industry.”

MAFI is entering a new industry, mounting systems for solar panels.
“Initially, we will develop products for the Nordic market,” says Account Manager Nils Pettersson.
“But since we are a global company, we can support solar companies anywhere
we operate with local solutions and short lead times.”

Left: Fredrik Rozén, Customer Satisfaction Director at Freebo, a supplier of solar panels in Sweden, and Nils Pettersson, Account Manager at MAFI Group.
Right: The solar panel mounting system supplied by MAFI Group. (Photo: Freebo.)



Learn about MAFI´s solutions in a 

live-stream event from MAFI Showroom

With MAFI Showroom MAFI´s solutions can be showed and explained in a live-stream event for viewers from anywhere in the world. MAFI staff demonstrates the products and the participant’s questions are answered. Current and potential customers will have sufficient information to purchase what they need, without the need of traveling.

MAFI Showroom and MAFI Outdoor Showroom are located in MAFI’s head office in Sweden. Outdoors, seven sites are ranging from utility poles, and wall mounts to sites with various freestanding solutions. The webinars are held in English, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Swedish and Albanian. 

If you would like to book a webinar, please contact the MAFI VP for your region:

Africa and Middle East: Jan Sandén, jan.sanden@mafigroup.com

Americas: Tony Lane, tony.lane@mafigroup.com

Asia: Andy Zhao, andy.zhao@mafigroup.com

Europe: Andreas Persson, andreas.persson@mafigroup.com

STAY INFORMED

with our best mounting inspiration

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New Product family – Free Standing Corner Mount

Our updated Free Standing Corner Mount Family is soon to be launched.

We are currently in the process of finalizing the last steps, which will be a more modular and flexible solution that are adapted to the market need.

Some of the news is that several units can easily be combined according to the needs.

This corner mount also offers a safe installation with folding pipe and adjustable supports.

In our next newsletter we will disclose everything about it.

“MAFI East Africa is well aligned for new demands”

“In a short time, we will have access to production capacity that will ensure delivery for our markets in East Africa,” says Jackshafton Mauti, new as Engineering and Sales Manager at MAFI East Africa, since February.

Jackshafton has had a full plate since day one. He’s handled everything from selling MAFI’s solutions to global telecom operators and tower companies operating in the region to further strengthening MAFI’s strategic position for the future.
In East Africa, the need for telecommunication capacity is growing at a breakneck pace. All major global OEM and Tower companies are present, and they deliver their solutions to Operators in the region.

MAFI East Africa is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, but operates throughout the region, and it has access to local manufacturing capacity for brackets and towers in Nairobi and neighboring countries. The manufacturer has invested in advanced CNC technology, and they will double their capacity in a couple of months’ time to meet MAFI´s demands.

“We can deliver most of
what’s needed to a site.”


Extensive roll-outs are underway in Kenya and neighboring countries, so MAFI’s products are bound to be in demand at thousands of sites.
“But we have much more than brackets to offer, Jackshafton emphasizes. We can deliver most of what’s needed to a site.”
Jackshafton says that one of the leading global telecom providers, with operations across large parts of Africa, is keen to extend its collaboration with MAFI.
“That’s why we will, among other things, arrange training seminars for their employees and customers,” says Jackshafton. “And that’s something I am preparing right now.”

He and MAFI’s vice president Jan Sandén in East Africa, want to see the present possibilities as an opportunity to grow, strengthen existing collaborations and develop new ones.
“I see my key role as re-engagement, get back in-tune with customers and heads of departments in enhancing solid relations of ten years with more accurate specification and low overall site cost quality brackets into the rollout “DNA.” A superior product to inject into the rollout “DNA”, he says.
“And we are well aligned to meet new demands envisaged in the region we cover.”
Jackshafton has a background as a Mechanical Engineer. He has furthered with a master of international business operations, and he has worked in the telecom industry for over 15 years.

“I have experience with project planning, support for design, acquisitions, sales, and pricing, both in Kenya and neighboring.
“During the last 10 years, I have had business interactions with the regional Vice President, and I have seen how MAFI, with impressive delivery guarantee and high quality of its products, has quickly grown. That is why I am now both proud and happy to be part of MAFI’s team.”

Learn about MAFI´s solutions in a 

live-stream event from MAFI Showroom

With MAFI Showroom MAFI´s solutions can be showed and explained in a live-stream event for viewers from anywhere in the world. MAFI staff demonstrates the products and the participant’s questions are answered. Current and potential customers will have sufficient information to purchase what they need, without the need of traveling.

MAFI Showroom and MAFI Outdoor Showroom are located in MAFI’s head office in Sweden. Outdoors, seven sites are ranging from utility poles, and wall mounts to sites with various freestanding solutions. The webinars are held in English, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Swedish and Albanian. 

If you would like to book a webinar, please contact the MAFI VP for your region:

Africa and Middle East: Jan Sandén, jan.sanden@mafigroup.com

Americas: Tony Lane, tony.lane@mafigroup.com

Asia: Andy Zhao, andy.zhao@mafigroup.com

Europe: Andreas Persson, andreas.persson@mafigroup.com

STAY INFORMED

with our best mounting inspiration
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MAFI´s new symmetrical offset double clamp

MAFI´s new Symmetric Offset Double Clamp 3278 is designed to support two heavy antennas up to 1192 mm (47”) apart with double clamps to eliminate rotational slip even under asymmetrical loading.

The 3278 has a maximum offset of 596 mm (23.46 in). The maximum offset between the two offset members are 1192 mm (46.93 in) respectively.
The hole pattern for 3278 is also suitable for option U-bolt kit 2867-1. This enables offset members to range up to 114.3 mm (4.5 in).
The 3278 has up to 1182 mm c/c pole spacing.
Its max weight is 300 kg (2 x 150 kg).

The MAFI US team –

Always doing what it takes

Chris Reynolds, Logistic Manager
Michelle Dartez, Office Manager
Raphael de La Soujeole, Design and Technical Sales

We continue to present the MAFI US team, working hard to satisfy the rapidly growing demand for our solutions.
Everyone in the team has special skills, but they can also dive into any task that currently needs attention, so they all have one or more “hats”, depending on what they do.

As MAFI US´s Logistics Manager, Chris Reynolds is wearing two hats, at least. One when he is in charge of our warehouse, shipping and receiving, equipment, safety, security, and local IT needs. And another as he manages our local efforts in kitting products.
“This year, kitting has faced an increased demand, which has required a lot of new faces,” he explains. “I´m responsible for all the extra employees we have in the office and the shift from stacking completed kits from Sweden to the logistics behind the US starting kitting in the US.”
Chris and his wife have two daughters that occasionally came to the office during the early pandemic for their remote learning. Chris is also our in-house Yelp; he knows the best restaurants in town as he has been to most of them.

Michelle – manages the office and the financial books
Office Manager Michelle is the bright light of the US team. Her welcoming attitude and free spirit make her the perfect person to manage the office and colleagues’ diverse group.
“As our Human Resources department, I help find and recruit personnel and coordinate all our employee resources,” Michelle says. “I am also responsible for the financial books, and I´m our audit liaison, managing any internal and external audits and certification requirements that must be met.”
Michelle loves Dia de Los Muertos skulls, flamingoes, baby Yoda, and anything with color and sparkle, which is a perfect reflection of her energy. Michelle also keeps everyone in the office well fed! She has four children with her husband Greg, two dogs, and two cats. It is no wonder she can manage everyone at the Houston office so well!

Raphael – from design to customer service
Raphael de La Soujeole is in charge of Design and Technical Sales.
“In a day, I go from my role as one of MAFI’s designers, talking about materials, products, and hole patterns, to being a customer services representative, attentive to installer’s questions about our products,” he says.
While Raphael has been busy creating new designs for the US telecom industry, he has additionally designed, sourced, and sold a new bracket in the transportation industry. The speed test was not official, but Raphael’s skills at kitting the 5024s are matchless.
Raphael is just as busy in his home life; he and his wife expect their fifth child.

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MAFI News – February

Securing MAFI´s quality standards

Since November last year samples of all fastener batches that are shipped out from Sweden are tested in MAFI´s new tensile tester in the warehouse in Mora, Sweden.

“We´re doing this in order to secure that they meet the quality standards that MAFI requires regarding yield strength and breaking point,” says John Rehnman. He is working in MAFI´s workshop in Mora, Sweden, and in charge of the testing.

The fasteners he is testing are bolts, nuts, and whole threaded rods, in the M8, M10, and M12 dimensions.
“Usually I randomly test one percent of the products we receive,” he says. ”But in larger batches, I normally test a smaller ratio.”

If he would find samples that don’t meet MAFI´s quality levels, the whole batch is red-flagged for further investigation.
“But,” John says with a smile, “that hasn’t happened yet.”
On the other hand, when a company MAFI hadn’t cooperated with yet, recently sent samples of their products, John tested them and it turned out that they didn’t meet the required quality levels.
John emphasizes that MAFI also previously has tested the fasteners it received on a regular basis.
“But we realized that we would gain quite some time in doing the tests ourselves instead of sending them away for testing,” John explains, “and we were also able to reduce some costs.”

He explains that the tensile tester, an Italian Galdabini Quasar 100, which can handle up to 100 kNewton, is very easy to handle. And, soon MAFI will also test bushing nuts in Mora.
“Yes,” says John, “we are currently working on a solution that will make it able for us to test the bushing nuts as well.”

The MAFI Academy Showroom —
beneficial solutions displayed

At The MAFI Academy Showroom in Mora, Sweden, we display a wide variety of our assembled products.

The showroom gives our partners and customers a substantial understanding of how MAFI´s solutions are mounted, installed, and used.
We use the showroom for multiple purposes. When we introduce MAFI as a new supplier to a potential customer, we give them an idea about what MAFI does and how we can support their business. Additionally, we use the showroom for any discussion regarding the product details. And we also use it for the training of the new employees.
Welcome to visit The MAFI Academy Showroom!

MAFI US —

Growing fast to meet the demand Part I

Tony Lane — The Captain who challenges and trusts his staff

MAFI US is growing fast in the North and Central American telecom markets to meet the increasing interest in and demand for its solutions. Every one of the staff members has unique qualifications, but they also gladly dive into any task that needs dealing with.
In this newsletter, we present three of staff, and in the March issue, we´ll tell you more about the remaining three.

“As a growing company, we describe ourselves as wearing many hats,” says Tony Lane, VP Americas. “Sometimes a day is filled with changing these hats often, and other times we wear multiple hats at one time.”
Tony wears the Captain’s hat, whether he is in the office or enjoying lake life on his boat. MAFI US can contribute its success to Tony’s leadership and guidance. Tony has had extensive experience in every facet of the business, making him the perfect person to drive the MAFI US ship.
“I challenge and trust all employees to be their best and grow their knowledge and skillsets,” he explains.

Tony has brought together a unique group of individuals that complement each other and the company.
“I aim to develop a positive and collaborative working environment and never miss an opportunity to tell each of us how thankful I am for everything they do.”
Tony is the epitome of cool, calm, and collected. He has a clear vision for this company that aligns with the global MAFI team and is committed to its goals.
He manages global relations, both internally and externally, with suppliers, distributors, and customers. Tony is a trusted and respected leader by his colleagues at all levels.
Tony stays quite busy both in his home life and work-life! His absolute favorite restaurant is Chili’s. Luckily, there is a location right around the corner from the Houston office, and he is always excited to treat any visitors and his team to a Chili’s meal!

“I challenge and trust all employees to be their best and grow their knowledge and skillsets.”
Tony Lane, VP Americas

Ajdoan — Heading up the US sales efforts

Ajdoan Muliqi, Sales Manager Americas, is the newest face in the Texas office, but the US team has been working with him virtually for months.

“My family and I have recently relocated to the United States from Sweden, where I´ve learned about MAFI’s values, products, and sales strategies before moving here to head up the sales efforts in the US,” he says.
While the pandemic may have delayed his physical move to the US, it´s been possible to build on the team relationship through Team meetings over the internet. His transition into the office has been smooth, even if he made a huge mess of the coffee machine the first day.
Ajdoan has proved himself to be a team player like he was in Sweden, where he often was willing to pitch in to help in the warehouse or whatever was needed.

Catherine — holding MAFI US together

Sales Operations Manager Catherine Roadcap continuously wears multiple hats every day.
“Since I am the purchasing and inventory management specialist, as well as the inside sales and customer service representative at MAFI US, lots of hats are required,” she says with a smile

If anyone has a question in the office, Catherine has a spreadsheet for that. She buys all the bolts and screws needed to make all the brackets she has forecasted to be sold.
MAFI US is held together by her organizational skills, and the office looks good because she has design skills too. Catherine’s accomplishments not only include running the supply chain but also running the trails. During the pandemic, the Disney marathons Catherine had signed up for were turned into virtual events. Despite taking part in virtual marathons, those were authentic miles ran.


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Securing MAFI´s quality standards

Since November last year samples of all fastener batches that are shipped out from Sweden are tested in MAFI´s new tensile tester in the warehouse in Mora, Sweden.

“We´re doing this in order to secure that they meet the quality standards that MAFI requires regarding yield strength and breaking point,” says John Rehnman. He is working in MAFI´s workshop in Mora, Sweden, and in charge of the testing.

John Rehnman is checking the quality of bolts, nuts and whole threaded rods with MAFI´s new tensile tester.

The fasteners he is testing are bolts, nuts, and whole threaded rods, in the M8, M10, and M12 dimensions.
“Usually I randomly test one percent of the products we receive,” he says. ”But in larger batches, I normally test a smaller ratio.”

If he would find samples that don’t meet MAFI´s quality levels, the whole batch is red-flagged for further investigation.
“But,” John says with a smile, “that hasn’t happened yet.”
On the other hand, when a company MAFI hadn’t cooperated with yet, recently sent samples of their products, John tested them and it turned out that they didn’t meet the required quality levels.
John emphasizes that MAFI also previously has tested the fasteners it received on a regular basis.
“But we realized that we would gain quite some time in doing the tests ourselves instead of sending them away for testing,” John explains, “and we were also able to reduce some costs.”

He explains that the tensile tester, an Italian Galdabini Quasar 100, which can handle up to 100 kNewton, is very easy to handle. And, soon MAFI will also test bushing nuts in Mora.
“Yes,” says John, “we are currently working on a solution that will make it able for us to test the bushing nuts as well.”

The MAFI Academy Showroom —
beneficial solutions displayed

Anders Smitz and Andreas Persson are preparing a webinar from MAFI Academy Showroom.


At The MAFI Academy Showroom in Mora, Sweden, we display a wide variety of our assembled products.

The showroom gives our partners and customers a substantial understanding of how MAFI´s solutions are mounted, installed, and used.
We use the showroom for multiple purposes. When we introduce MAFI as a new supplier to a potential customer, we give them an idea about what MAFI does and how we can support their business. Additionally, we use the showroom for any discussion regarding the product details. And we also use it for the training of the new employees.
Welcome to visit The MAFI Academy Showroom!

MAFI Americas — fast to meet the demand

Catherine Roadcap, Sales Operations Manager
Ajdoan Muliqi, Sales Manager
Tony Lane, Vice President Americas

Tony Lane — The Captain who challenges and trusts his staff

MAFI US is growing fast in the North and Central American telecom markets to meet the increasing interest in and demand for its solutions. Every one of the staff members has unique qualifications, but they also gladly dive into any task that needs dealing with.
In this newsletter, we present three of staff, and in the March issue, we´ll tell you more about the remaining three.

“As a growing company, we describe ourselves as wearing many hats,” says Tony Lane, VP Americas. “Sometimes a day is filled with changing these hats often, and other times we wear multiple hats at one time.”
Tony wears the Captain’s hat, whether he is in the office or enjoying lake life on his boat. MAFI US can contribute its success to Tony’s leadership and guidance. Tony has had extensive experience in every facet of the business, making him the perfect person to drive the MAFI US ship.
“I challenge and trust all employees to be their best and grow their knowledge and skillsets,” he explains.

Tony has brought together a unique group of individuals that complement each other and the company.
“I aim to develop a positive and collaborative working environment and never miss an opportunity to tell each of us how thankful I am for everything they do.”
Tony is the epitome of cool, calm, and collected. He has a clear vision for this company that aligns with the global MAFI team and is committed to its goals.
He manages global relations, both internally and externally, with suppliers, distributors, and customers. Tony is a trusted and respected leader by his colleagues at all levels.
Tony stays quite busy both in his home life and work-life! His absolute favorite restaurant is Chili’s. Luckily, there is a location right around the corner from the Houston office, and he is always excited to treat any visitors and his team to a Chili’s meal!