The stage is set for a big party, Icelandic-style. This summer marks 20 years since Unidrain took its first tentative steps abroad when partnering with the Icelandic family-run company Tengi.
Our collaboration and understanding of the differences and similarities between the two markets have only grown over the two decades of partnership. This is reflected in our performance figures, with sales more than doubling since 2018. So it’s with great satisfaction that the CEO of the Icelandic company takes stock of the past 20 years:
– We’re very happy with our collaboration. Unidrain is one of the strongest brands we represent. Together, Tengi and Unidrain have built a strong brand presence, and for many years, Unidrain has been the market leader in Iceland with an exceptionally large market share. The people behind the brand are professional, and we’ve built good personal relationships based on trust and reliability, says Thorir Sigurgeirsson.
Together we’ve changed building practices and driven innovation
After 20 years of close collaboration, it’s clear that the relationship between Unidrain and Tengi goes beyond the typical supplier-distributor dynamic. It’s a partnership that shows how shared values and close relationships can drive business and innovation forward, benefitting both parties and the market as a whole. Our International Sales Manager, René Risom, explains:
– Over the years, Tengi has helped change building practices in Iceland, just as Unidrain did in Denmark years ago. The comparable conditions in the two markets, combined with close collaboration over the past 20 years have also meant that the Icelandic market has become self-sufficient in some processes, which frees up time and resources for us to develop other business areas. In this way, our close collaboration with Tengi, who now understand our business very well, has a positive effect on the rest of Unidrain’s export markets.
René highlights the combination of local market insight and Scandinavian design as one of the pillars of the sustainable market model that has established Unidrain’s strong market position in Iceland through its partnership with Tengi, serving as a model for Unidrain’s strategy in other export markets.
Celebrating 20 years with pride – and looking forward to the future
The anniversary will be celebrated with a big party in Iceland later this year, attended by representatives from both companies. And according to Thorir Sigurgeirsson, they are ready to toast to the next 20 years of collaboration.
– The partnership between Tengi and Unidrain is extremely strong, and we aim to develop it further in the future. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together with Unidrain, and we look forward to the next 20 years, where our vision is to increase our market share even more, concludes Tengi’s CEO.
Tengi has been active in the Icelandic market for over 40 years and operates from three locations, with headquarters in Kópavogur and branches in Akureyri and Selfoss.