Transforming Construction Equipment Management
Construction giant Skanska has deepened its relationship with NTNU startup Leasi, moving from customer to investor and securing a board position for its Digital Director. This partnership showcases how established companies and innovative startups can create value together in the construction industry.
From Customer to Investor
The collaboration between Skanska and Leasi began in January when Norway's largest construction contractor signed a project agreement to use Leasi's platform for managing over 8,000 machines and equipment units. This relationship has now evolved into a strategic investment, with Skanska participating in Leasi's recent 12.6 million NOK pre-seed funding round.
As part of this investment, Christoffer Hernæs, Digital Director at Skanska, has joined Leasi's board of directors, bringing valuable industry expertise to the startup.
Solving Real Industry Challenges
Skanska faced significant challenges in managing their extensive fleet of construction equipment. In an industry where more than 30% of machinery typically sits idle, they needed a modern, efficient solution.
Leasi's digital platform addresses these pain points by:
Digitizing equipment management in one comprehensive solution
Integrating with existing systems to optimize fleet utilization
Providing emissions data analysis and resource optimization
Enabling better maintenance scheduling and cross-company collaboration
"Leasi has impressed us both as a team and with their solution," says Hernæs. "Leasi will play an important role in our digital transformation and will be a critical component for improved operational efficiency and optimized capital allocation through better utilization of our machinery fleet."
Results That Matter
The implementation has already shown promising results:
Reduced capital requirements through optimized machinery usage
Typically, over 50% of construction machinery remains idle; the solution helps improve utilization rates
Successfully implemented at Skanska and three subsidiaries, adapted for different workflows
Looking Ahead
Both companies are committed to continuous improvement and adaptation of the platform. Future development plans include more industry-specific features and expansion to other markets, building on lessons learned about the importance of close collaboration between startups and enterprises.
Scott A. Bekke, CEO of Leasi, notes, "Having a leading global player like Skanska recognize the value of what we offer is incredible validation. We're currently seeing interest from other global players and look forward to the journey ahead with such strong partners by our side."
This partnership demonstrates how construction technology can create both commercial and environmental benefits by optimizing resource usage and reducing downtime across the industry.
