ETS NORD opened the most modern ventilation testing center in the Nordics

ETS NORD now has the in-house capability to test ventilation products following the opening of its Research HUB – the most modern ventilation research complex in the Nordic countries. The design and construction cost, including technological equipment, amounted to nearly 1.5 million euros. This is an important step in strengthening the company’s competitiveness and innovation capacity, offering state-of-the-art opportunities for developing advanced ventilation solutions.

Advanced capabilities for testing and development

The new center enables precise measurement of the aerodynamic properties of ventilation products – including the pressure affecting the ventilation system and the noise caused by airflow. In addition, the facility allows testing of airflow speed, direction, and distribution within rooms.

Based on the collected data, engineers and designers can obtain detailed technical information to create comfortable and consistent indoor climates in buildings designed for working, studying, and living.

Enhanced development capacity and higher-quality solutions

ETS NORD Research HUB gives the company’s engineers the ability to carry out tests independently, accelerating the development process and strengthening their technical expertise.

Hands-on experience deepens their understanding of measurement processes and enables them to evaluate the impact of even the smallest design modifications on the final product. Necessary adjustments can be swiftly implemented in product design, allowing rapid improvement of product performance.

This approach ensures better quality and reliability of ETS NORD products and provides designers with precise and practical technical data.

Collaboration with universities

The Research HUB also opens the door for closer cooperation with universities and research institutions, offering a unique opportunity to bring academic learning into real-world application.

According to OSKA studies of Estonian labour market, Estonia will face a shortage of engineers over the next ten years – two-thirds of specialists needed in manufacturing and construction will be missing.

“Our testing center allows us to show young people that engineering is an exciting, creative, and forward-looking field,” said ETS NORD R&D Group Manager Timo Olesk. “We invite future HVAC engineers and architects to conduct practical experiments and tests at our HUB. We offer them hands-on experience and the opportunity to enhance the theoretical knowledge gained in classrooms,” added Olesk, who himself holds an engineering degree from TalTech University.

The Journey of creating the Research HUB

“Before getting our own measurement and testing capabilities, we had to test our products in laboratories in Finland, which was both time-consuming and costly,” Olesk recalled. “Now we can carry out tests several times a day, and the results are immediately available to us and to our clients,” he added.

The entire process — from the initial idea to the final completion of the Research HUB — took nearly six years. After mapping all the needs and requirements and finding a suitable location within ETS NORD’s production facility, the structural design was commissioned from Arro & Agasild Engineering Bureau.

The acoustics laboratory was developed with the expertise of Akukon OY, one of Scandinavia’s leading companies specializing in building and room acoustics. The main contractor for the construction was Mapri Ehitus.

We thank all our partners who contributed to the completion of our Research HUB!