Through rain and frost

Abloy wanted the Finnish transport company Kaukokiito to pilot the new ABLOY BEAT padlock in real action on the Helsinki-Kuusamo route, running 800 kilometers from southern Finland to the north.

Imagine driving a 34-meter truck from a muddy and salted road to icy and slippery conditions, with temperatures ranging from plus four to minus 37 degrees in a one day. If there isn’t enough challenge, the valuable cargo on board is sure to add to the excitement. This requires a lot not only from the car, but also from the lock hanging behind the load. That is exactly why Abloy wanted the Finnish transport company Kaukokiito to pilot the new ABLOY BEAT padlock in real action on the Helsinki-Kuusamo route, running 800 kilometers from southern Finland to the north. Kaukokiito is Finland’s leading private transport system with over 60 years of experience in the industry.

Currently, the keyless, mobile-controlled ABLOY BEAT lock is being piloted globally from North America to Africa and from water utilities to telecommunications companies. The aim is to test the operation of the Super Weather Proof padlock under different circumstances throughout the whole critical infrastructure sector. In Kaukokiito’s case the results are sought especially in the the lock’s response to cold, corrosion and vibration.

– At this time of year, a lot of corrosive material from road salt to gravel and pitch rises from the road. In addition, humidity and severe temperature fluctuations between Helsinki and Kuusamo bring their own challenge to a lock that can accumulate ice of up to ten cents on either side, says Toni Sandholm, Joensuu area terminal manager from Kaukokiito. 

Extreme conditions are not the only challenge for the transport industry. ABLOY BEAT also solves the challenge of key management on geographically dispersed sites. Where previously both the sender and the consignee of the shipment had to have a key, the keyless ABLOY BEAT padlock can be opened in a given time and place via mobile app by authorized personnel only. This also eliminates the risk of lost keys.  

– Transports are moving six days a week around the clock 1000 kilometres apart from each other. Our unit alone has 100 trucks and 150 trailers. If each container and trailer is fitted with its own lock and keys, managing the whole is quite a challenge, Sandholm says. 

Until now, road robbers have been avoided in Finland and transports have gone smoothly. However, as the safety requirements of both customers and the industry continue to grow, the product may be useful in the future not only in higher risk countries but also in Finland. Especially the demands of the food industry are constantly growing, and it is even more important that all contacts with cargo are managed to avoid contamination. In any case, on a global scale the results of the pilot are clear. Hanging behind the extra-long HCT truck through snowfall, rain and freezing wind, the lock has worked flawlessly despite the harsh conditions. 

– So far, it seems that the lock works properly and opens despite the ice accumulating on the outside, because there are no parts in the lock on which water could accumulate. The piloting clearly shows that the product works all over the world, where winter conditions are severe and temperature fluctuations are high, Sandholm finishes.