The metalworking company SIA “METĀLDARBNĪCA”, based near Riga and operating in export markets under the Metalfabrik brand, has in recent years strategically developed its range of street furniture and urban landscaping products. The company continues to invest in both production efficiency and export capacity and, with support from the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) Digitalisation Programme, has recently introduced a digitally controlled powder coating system that has significantly improved the quality and efficiency of its manufacturing processes.
SIA “METĀLDARBNĪCA” has been operating for 24 years. Initially, the company specialised in custom-made metal products, including gates, fences, balconies and other structural solutions. In recent years, however, it has shifted its focus towards the development of standardised street furniture and urban infrastructure products. Today, approximately 95% of the company’s business is concentrated in this product segment.
“Over the past four to five years, we have been systematically preparing for export by streamlining our internal processes, developing our own product range, launching a new website, and establishing a structured sales system,” says the company’s CEO, Guntis Kalsnavs.
The company’s products are primarily used in public infrastructure and urban development projects. “METĀLDARBNĪCA” works closely with architects, construction companies and landscape contractors, who integrate its products into their projects. The company has developed a comprehensive product catalogue containing technical specifications, pricing, installation instructions and 3D files that architects can directly incorporate into their design work.
Alongside its standard product range, the company also develops customised solutions, including bespoke benches, platforms, raised planters and other urban elements tailored to the specific requirements of individual projects. According to the company, its ability to quickly design technically precise, customised solutions is one of its key competitive advantages, particularly in export markets.
The production facility is located in Stūnīši, Olaine Municipality, covering approximately 1,000 square metres. Despite the scale of its operations, the company employs only eight people. Management emphasises that its business model is built on efficiency and carefully organised production processes.
“Our approach is based on efficiency — the better everything is prepared during the design phase, the faster and higher quality the manufacturing process becomes. That is why we invest heavily in digitalisation and process optimisation,” explains G. Kalsnavs.
The company simultaneously manages around 15 customer orders, with the number increasing to as many as 20 during the peak season. The production cycle for a single order—from component preparation to powder coating—typically takes between two and four weeks.
With support from the LIAA Digitalisation Programme, the company invested in a digitally controlled powder coating system consisting of a spraying station, filtration system, curing oven and rail-based product transportation system. The total investment amounted to approximately EUR 68,000, of which 60% was covered by the support programme.
One of the company’s main strategic priorities today is export development. “METĀLDARBNĪCA” is already cooperating with partners in Sweden and is actively exploring opportunities in Finland and Norway. As part of its export preparations, the company spent several years developing its digital product catalogue and website. These now provide not only product images and prices but also technical specifications, installation instructions and downloadable 3D files for architects.
“One of our core principles has been transparency. We publish our prices on our website, and that helps build trust,” says G. Kalsnavs.
He notes that while many manufacturers choose not to disclose pricing publicly, “METĀLDARBNĪCA” deliberately adopted a more transparent approach because predictability and clearly defined cooperation terms are highly valued in the Scandinavian market.
Exports currently account for approximately 20% of the company’s turnover, whereas just a year ago this share was negligible. The company stresses that success in Scandinavia depends not only on product quality but also on communication style and business reliability.
“Everything needs to be calm, clear and predictable. Scandinavian partners highly value transparency, process quality and trustworthiness,” says the company representative.
He also points out that Nordic business culture places strong emphasis on the manner of communication.
“Partners there do not appreciate aggressive sales tactics or constant pressure. Decision-making tends to be relatively slow and collaborative. It is important not to force the process but to allow it to develop calmly and professionally,” explains G. Kalsnavs.
Products manufactured by “METĀLDARBNĪCA” can already be found throughout Latvia. In Riga, for example, the company’s products have been installed at the National Library of Latvia, within the grounds of the Presidential Castle, and in Old Riga, where its metal planter boxes have been placed. The company also works with the majority of Latvian municipalities.
In addition to traditional urban furniture, the company is currently developing innovative product lines, including solar-powered benches with mobile device charging capabilities and self-watering planter boxes that use collected rainwater for irrigation.
The company’s next planned step is another LIAA support project, aimed at calculating the life-cycle assessment (LCA) and CO₂ footprint of more than 300 products. However, the application was rejected on grounds that, according to the company, do not address the substance of the project. The objective was to better align its products with the sustainability requirements of the Scandinavian market. Although the rejection will not stop the company’s export ambitions, it is expected to slow down their implementation.
This informational material has been prepared with financial support from the Recovery and Resilience Facility project “Digital Services Platform for Business Development”. The author bears sole responsibility for the content of this publication. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union or the European Commission.
