Category: News

News

The acquisition of Mesekon Oy brings Stairon Group the best expertise in heavy machining and welding

Stairon Group has acquired Turku-based Mesekon Oy through a business agreement signed on 28 June. The acquisition will substantially broaden the Group’s service offering and boost Stairon Group’s net sales to around EUR 25 million and its personnel to around 150.

The major acquisition for Stairon Group will expand the group’s range of services and increase special expertise in the company, allowing more efficient and broader services for existing and new customers. The size of the two companies together is substantial and will enable growth in both the Finnish and export markets. The skills of the personnel and the equipment bases complement each other and enable the management of even larger groups of customers. In connection with the transaction, a significant investment programme was agreed in order to strengthen joint operations.

Stairon Group’s CEO Timo Kylä-Nikkilä comments:

– To our satisfaction, the long-prepared transaction process was completed before the summer holiday season, and we will be in full swing together in August. It was clearly a very successful transaction, since both the buyers and the sellers are extremely happy with the end result. We warmly welcome Mesekon to the evolving Stairon Group. Both Stairon and Mesekon have exceptional expertise, which we will continue to develop as one team, with common operating models and goals. The end result is exceptional across our entire industry in terms of the number of customer industries served and production factors. With the transaction, we will gain modern heavy machining equipment, and as a result, we will have practically all the production factors our customers need under one roof.

Timo Nättiaho, Mesekon’s current Managing Director and former co-owner of the company, will transfer to the employ of Stairon Group as a sales director, and he will remain as Mesekon’s CEO during the transition period until the end of September, after which Kylä-Nikkilä will take over the role.

Timo Nättiaho comments:

– My partner Turkka Kankare and I have thought long and hard about the company’s ownership options, and this solution also allows for the company’s continued operations and development as we had hoped for. Contributing to the decision to sell is the fact that Stairon’s and Mesekon’s business goals, corporate values and operating methods are aligned. The companies’ competence and client bases also complement one another, which is important in terms of the future. It was very important to us that the new owner be committed to continuing Mesekon’s business as a stand-alone company and to retaining all of our expert employees. And on a personal level, I can’t help but be happy that I can bring long-standing engineering and export know-how to the Group as Stairon Group’s new sales director.

In recent weeks, several engineering companies have issued positive profit warnings. The recently recovering economy and downturn in interest rates in the eurozone appear to have activated customers.

– Stairon and Mesekon have performed well even in economic downshifts. I have no doubt that the expert personnel and modern machinery of these two merging companies will make Stairon Group an even more attractive partner for customers who rely on quality and sustainability, concludes Kylä-Nikkilä.

Mesekon will continue its operations under a long-term lease agreement in the current premises in Itäharju, Turku, and in Stairon’s 15,000 m² modular factory in Pansio, Turku. The Group companies will continue to operate under their current names. The companies will adopt common ERP and materials management systems as well as common financial and HR administration, but the transaction will have no negative personnel effects in the companies.

Additional information
Timo Kylä-Nikkilä, CEO, Stairon Group Oy, +358 50 574 1142, timo.kyla-nikkila@stairon.fi
Timo Nättiaho, Managing Director, Mesekon Oy, +358 400 877 897, timo.nattiaho@mesekon.fi

News

The Zinser plasma cutting system brings cost-effectiveness and increases supply reliability

Our service offering expanded again when we ramped up the Zinser 4126B plasma cutting equipment during the spring. We are now able to meet our customers’ needs even better.

Having our own plasma cutting equipment further enhances our supply reliability and speeds up processes.

“Producing cuts self-sufficiently streamlines production and makes equipment manufacturing more cost-effective. In-house plasma cutting enhances our quality control, which adds its own positive contribution to supply reliability,” says Stairon’s Sales Manager Antti Reivonen.

The 3,000×13,000 mm cutting capacity enables the production of large cuts as well as cuts for heavy steel structures, such as for the mining industry. In addition, the machine has its own drilling unit with an automatic tool changer, so bevels and threads can also be made with the same machine. The drilling diameter is 6–40 mm.

“With the machine’s own drilling unit, the parts can be machined more accurately, as the holes can be made with the same machine – this way, quality is maximized and errors are minimized,” Reivonen adds.

For our customers, the expansion of the offering is reflected in cost-effectiveness, and the machine has already aroused great interest.

“There have been a commendable number of contacts,” Reivonen praises.

 

Contact Antti for more information!

 

 

News | Stairons

Kari Lintuvuori is passing on skills and knowledge to future experts before retiring

Lead, serve, help. This principle has carried Kari Lintuvuori, now retiring, on his career from a helper to a foreman. In his 45-year career, mainly in Pansio, he has seen many changes in his line of work, and the business in general. Now he is passing on the know-how of a Service Advisor to future experts.

In August 2020, foreman Kari Lintuvuori retired from his job at Stairon’s aluminium department. He has not left Pansio, however. In his new role as a senior advisor, he helps the new supervisory staff. His long career has taught that tacit knowledge must be passed on to the successor.

“This team is a kind of a brotherhood – I couldn’t just suddenly quit it. It takes me seven minutes to drive from home to work. I need to drop in here every now and then to see how things are going”, Kari Lintuvuori explains.

Senior Advisor – part of Stairon’s strategy

Kari Lintuvuori now serves as a Senior Advisor at Stairon. It means that in his retirement, he is committed to the development of the operation as he passes on his expertise to younger  specialists of the future. The role of the Service Advisor and supporting it are part of Stairon’s strategy. Stairon has many experts with long careers, whose know-how is worth its weight in gold. This so-called tacit knowledge is something the company wants to foster.

Project Director Kalle Ahopelto, who has been receiving advice from Kari Lintuvuori, feels that the help of the Senior Advisor is especially important in his own work.

“It has been easier to join the group with an experienced and skilled person as a guide and advisor. I have received thorough answers to every question I have asked, often accompanied by a story from years past that touches upon the subject.”

Information related to carrying out projects is seen as especially helpful in pushing the work forward.

“The greatest benefit has been Kari’s knowledge of what we must and should take into consideration, or what we should do early enough before the start of the project”, Kalle Ahopelto says.

A man taught by his work

During Kari Lintuvuori’s career, his line of work and the business in general have changed dramatically. For example, in the 1970s, military service was tantamount to resigning, which is why the shipyard refused to hire him afterwards. But being a plucky sort of guy, he walked straight to the shop steward and ended up getting a job at the Pansio factory of Valmet Paper Machines. When there was no more work at the packing plant, Kari Lintuvuori asked the department engineer for other work.

“Much like Rokka in the war novel The Unknown Soldier, I asked if they needed someone who could do the job well. I went to Hall 6 where they needed help in welding beams that were 13 metres long.”

Kari Lintuvuori was interested in welding and he went on to complete the training of a welding advisor at Laitila. After that he was hired to weld sheet metal.

“The helper boy system of the 1970s was practical. You could see what kinds of jobs were interesting and you could learn on the job. Gradually, as my skills increased, I got to do the work on my own.”

The 1990s gave Kari Lintuvuori opportunities to work in projects both in Finland and abroad. Paper machines and wood dryers had to be installed and repaired.

In the 1990s Kari Lintuvuori also noticed inadequacies in work planning at the workshop.

“The products were more complicated, and the tolerances were stricter. Working methods needed to be more systematic, and this was achieved through work planning”, he explains.

The group produces the results

In the late 1990s and early 2000s corporate mergers and deals changed the name of the workplace a few times. First, with the merger of Valmet and Rauma in 1999, production was outsourced, and the name was changed to Metso Paper Turku Works. Then in 2009 Metso sold all the shares of the factory to Stairon.

“At that point, product-based teams were established and I was selected to lead one of them.”

Later he was named foreman. Kari Lintuvuori feels that as foreman, the input of the whole team is the most important.

“It’s the team that produces the result. And the work ethic here is high. The task of the supervisory staff is to supervise, serve, and help”, he says.

Kari Lintuvuori believes that his extensive career experience helped him as a supervisor.

“It is important to understand the big picture and to know how things operate in practice. Taking my own path has been important. The work taught me. During my career I had more than ten different kinds of supervisors, one of whom served as an example to me. I also wanted to be a good example and pass on the tradition”, he says.

News

Stairon’s quality is certified fivefold

Stairon has been awarded a total of five quality certificates after the company passed the audit by the certification company Kiwa Inspecta without any deviations, that is, completely without remarks. The clean papers are a testament to the fact that Stairon’s quality management is at an excellent level in several different areas and exceeds the requirements of quality standards.

Maintaining Stairon’s quality system involves documenting the quality of the organization’s operations, production, service and products. The purpose of the quality system is to ensure that operations meet the requirements of quality standards. The audit examined the requirements set by five different certificates. What are these different certificates and what requirements do they contain?

ISO 9001 – The ISO 9001 quality management standard helps to build, maintain and develop a company’s quality management system. It ensures that the quality of the service and product, as well as customer satisfaction, meet the requirements of the certificate.

ISO 14001 – With the ISO 14001 environmental system standard, it is ensured that the company complies with the environmental requirements applicable to it and achieves the environmental goals set for it. The standard aims to support the company’s environmental management and promote sustainable development.

ISO 45001 – With the ISO 45001 occupational health and safety management standard, the organization takes care of the health and safety of its employees and working conditions. It aims to anticipate and reduce risks in the workplace and improve employee well-being.

ISO 3834-2 – The ISO 3834-2 standard for quality requirements for fusion welding of metals defines comprehensive quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials. By monitoring the welding process and complying with quality requirements, the high quality of the final product is ensured.

EN 1090-1 – The EN 1090-1 standard evaluating the performance level of load-bearing metal structures defines the requirements for the performance level of construction steel and aluminum parts and construction product ranges. The certificate requires monitoring and approval of the company’s internal quality control system at the factory.

Stairon intends to continue working to maintain these quality standards and actively develop the quality management of its operations.

News

Stairon has been officially recognized as a Great Place To Work

We received the Great Place To Work certification™ as a testament to the satisfaction of our employees and the positive work culture within our organization.

Participating in the survey was driven by the desire to identify areas for improvement in our work environment. The recent certification indicates that areas for development were identified in the survey, and actions have been taken to address them. Despite the busyness of the past two years for Stairon, satisfaction among our employees remains high.

“It is crucial for us that the collaboration between the company and employees evolves. The GPTW survey is a valuable, unbiased channel where we can bring forth suggestions for improvements in the workplace. This is a democratic way to enhance working conditions since all survey respondents are on an equal footing,” stated CEO Timo Kylä-Nikkilä.

The primary beneficiary of employee satisfaction is always the customer

Work well-being and safety are integral parts of our responsibility program, and their improvement is an ongoing process. The certification also provides an opportunity to communicate to our customers that we are fair and secure partners.

“This is a sign that we recognize the importance of our employees. Our professionals are the entire machinery of Stairon, not just a part of it. It is undeniable that satisfied employees provide better service to our customers,” added Kylä-Nikkilä.

By providing favorable conditions for work, we ensure the continuity of operations and expertise at Stairon. This, in turn, secures our competitiveness in the coming years.

News

Stairon to introduce the first Zinser plasma cutting system in Finland

Stairon is investing in a new German-made Zinser 4126 B plasma cutting machine. The machine, which will be taken into use at the end of 2023, will boost processes and make it possible to meet customer expectations even better.

Zinser 4126 B is a combined machine that can be used for 3D plasma cutting, milling and threading with 3,000 x 13,000 mm shearing capacity. The machine also supports the introduction of future additional functionalities such as tube cutting.
“With this investment, we can meet customer expectations even better and more cost-efficiently and reduce the turnaround time of production,” says Stairon’s CEO Timo Kylä-Nikkilä.

Improved production quality and efficiency

One of the most significant advantages of the machine is its large working area and the integrated drilling unit. Drilling, milling and threading can now be done in a single process with the same machine.
“It will improve cost-efficiency and increase our own production capacity,” Kylä-Nikkilä says.
The plasma cutter is supplied to Stairon by Vossi Group Oy, which is also responsible for the installation and start-up of the machine and training Stairon’s employees. The current estimate is that the plasma cutting machine will be operational at the beginning of December 2023.

Watch the manufacturer’s video about the Zinser plasma cutting system!

News

Stairon calculates its CO2 emissions and takes action to reduce them

Stairon calculates its CO2 emissions and creates an action plan to reduce them. At the same time, Stairon will also boost the monitoring and reporting of its customers’ emissions.

Industry plays an important role in achieving Finland’s carbon neutrality targets by 2035. For example, direct emissions from the technology industry account for 7% (2019) of all Finland’s emissions and 45% of Finland’s energy needs.

Many industrial companies are already monitoring and taking measures to reduce their own emissions.
“Although the actual legal obligation for emission calculations and other responsibility reporting has not yet been specified for SMEs, it already applies extensively to our industry and most of our customers,” says Timo Kylä-Nikkilä, CEO of Stairon.

Stairon has listened carefully to its customers’ plans and needs in terms of reducing emissions. During autumn 2022, Stairon launched its own process related to emission calculations and reductions.
“We are an important part of our customers’ supply chain. If we set our own emissions targets at least in line with their targets, we will also help them to reach their own targets,” says Kylä-Nikkilä.

Outlining the guidelines during January

Stairon’s emissions calculation is carried out with a Finnish partner, Nordic Offset. Emissions are currently being calculated for 2021, and the calculation for 2022 will be completed by the end of January 2023.

Kylä-Nikkilä praises Nordic Offset’s comprehensive climate responsibility expertise and extensive networking with the operators in the field.
“The work is also facilitated by the overall service provision which means that, in addition to the results and the action plan, we can also use their networks and expertise to reliably compensate for emissions that cannot yet be directly influenced by our own reduction measures,” he says.

“Although our own measures are, naturally, prioritised in the fight against climate change, the pursuit of carbon neutrality will also require us to compensate.”

Making the benefits of actions visible through data

Emissions are largely caused by the production of raw materials and energy used in industry. Steel production is one of the most significant sources of emissions globally.
“In recent years, certain steel producers have taken significant leaps in, for example, fossil-free steel production technology. These practices will hopefully be available for wider use in the next few years,” Kylä-Nikkilä estimates.

“Environmental issues and emission management will be emphasised in the future. We want to be at the forefront of reducing the environmental impact of our industry.”

Timo Kylä-Nikkilä

 

For a long time, Stairon has been implementing energy efficiency measures through the existing environmental management system, with the aim of reducing waste by optimising raw materials and carefully recycling all material fractions.
“However, there has been no comprehensive measurement of emissions. In the future, we will know more about the impacts of the measures and be able to focus on the measures that have an impact.

We have committed ourselves to being prepared to make investments when the pursuit of carbon neutrality requires them,” Kylä-Nikkilä promises.

Customer cases | News

Sulbana is not looking for the cheapest, 
but the most viable partner

In the food industry, hygiene alone sets very high-quality standards for the equipment. Expertise is also measured in numerous moving parts, long trajectories requiring constancy of size, both in rust-resistant materials and thin material thicknesses. 

“I have strong confidence in the Stairon expertise. They fearlessly tackle even larger assemblies, which are usually difficult to get bids for,” praises Jarkko Kokko, Head of Productionat Sulbana Oy, a global supplier of innovative cheese-making equipment.

Large-scale cooperation for mutual benefit

The partnership between Sulbana and Stairon began based on good references. The scope of supply has expanded over the years, from welding subcontracting all the way to component purchases and assemblies on a larger scale.

“The first delivery that introduced me to Stairon dealt with large pressing plates for cheese moulds. These were followed by three salt pools, the largest of which measured 18x3x3 metres, and it was delivered to us complete,” recalls Kokko.

Operating in Finland from Kauhajoki and Seinäjoki, Sulbana is now part of the German, family-owned Alpma Group, one of the world’s leading suppliers of cheese-making processes and equipment.

“We are currently working on two cheese-mould stores. We provided Stairon with the production drawings, and they oversaw the work planning and procurement of materials. The stores, which are about six metres high, are also test-assembled at Stairon and then dismantled into segments for transport. This is an advantage as a customer, because the larger the assemblies we are able to purchase under one roof, the more our own workload is reduced.”

From Finland to the world with high quality and on time

Most of the equipment manufactured by Sulbana in Finland is exported. The largest markets are Central Europe and the United States, in addition to deliveries around the world from Japan to South America.

“The number one priority in cooperation is Stairon’s reliability, both in terms of quality and security of supply. Transports and installations, shipping from around the world, must be arranged well in advance, as they are very difficult and expensive to move. It is important that we can rely on the promised delivery time and that delays are communicated immediately rather than at the last minute, when it is difficult to do anything about it,” Kokko stresses.

Similarly, at the Sulbana end, the aim is to keep response times as short as possible, so that workers at Stairon do not have to needlessly wait for information that could affect their work.

“When things run smoothly, we work together to find solutions to any potential problems, rather than just saying ‘that’s your problem’. Communication and weekly reports with Stairon run as they should without having to tease out the information.”

Equipment worth millions have their unique challenges

Kokko has first-hand experience of the flexibility of Stairon.

“Changes in delivery times or storage have always been well agreed upon. Once, even during a mid-week holiday, we finalised and checked a delivery together with Stairon’s project manager,” he says with a smile.

When seeking continuity in a partnership, the chosen supplier is not always the one with the lowest absolute price, but instead the most economically viable partner. The Sulbana equipment, worth millions, have their own unique challenges, which can only be understood through experience.

“Our quality requirements always cause challenges for new suppliers, which is why we are looking for a long-term partner who knows our needs without having to constantly monitor them. I also appreciate Stairon’s interest in developing as a supplier and their willingness to offer a more advanced product than just a welding assembly. For example, with work planning coming from Stairon, we achieve much more value for the entire supply chain,” says Kokko.

You don’t learn from problems by sweeping them under the rug

Confidence in skills comes from Stairon’s strong expertise in different areas of work. The fact is that complaints cannot always be avoided, but it requires skill to learn from them for the future.

“Stairon has understood that quality does not only improve in offices, so they go through the negative issues internally, right through to production. As a customer, I have gained the impression that they genuinely strive to learn from any potential mistakes and not just sweep things under the rug.”

Production Director Hannu-Pekka Peräntie at Stairon stands behind this trustworthy and open cooperation.
“Cooperation with Sulbana has successfully taken us out of our comfort zone and challenged us to evolve. As a result, we are more prepared and also bolder in the face of new challenges,” he concludes.

In the picture: Simo Harju, Project Manager at Stairon, and Jarkko Kokko, Head of Productionat Sulbana Oy, observing the cheese-making store under fabrication.

Would you like to read more references from our customers?
Catch, for example, the interview with Sandvik and the interesting Caligo in the current news.

Customer cases | News

Sandvik: ‘Stairon has strong references from the industry’

Sandvik Mining and Construction manufactures underground loading and transport equipment in their Turku factory with over 700 professionals. During the aftermath of COVID-19 at the beginning of the year 2021, the volume of orders reached its previous record – and so did the need for new partners. ‘Stairon is flexible and has premises that are easy to adapt to our needs, as well as strong references from the industry,’ says Sandvik’s production manager Esa-Pekka Kantola, who is responsible for the subcontracting of the final assembly.

It is often thought that collaboration creates something new, but this time the goal is the opposite: Stairon’s task is to dismantle a brand-new machine that has arrived from Sandvik’s main factory, pack up the components and deliver them to the end customer.

‘So far, Stairon has successfully disassembled six machines for us and reassembled one. Because underground mines don’t always have a ramp for vehicles to drive into the mine, the equipment must first be disassembled and then lowered by cranes into the shaft. It’s also vital for product testing and quality assurance to have the machine reassembled once at the factory,’ Mr Kantola clarifies.

An adaptable and trustworthy partner

The opportunities to receive support for manufacture have been ideal for Sandvik when both companies operate in the same city.

‘No one is ready to work in this profession straight from school – you have to be prepared to familiarise yourself with the details. I’ve noticed that the people at Stairon have applied skills they’ve gained from their time with Valmet and experience in handling large components.’

During the year of collaboration, there have been situations where the customer has suddenly changed, and the machine has had to be rebuilt.

‘In this field, it’s necessary to have an absolutely flexible and adaptable partner who knows how to communicate what they are doing, how the project is proceeding, and if something changes along way. Trust and continuity are born of finishing work on time,’ Mr Kantola emphasises.

Preparing and equipping for the future

Stairon is currently working on finishing a reassembly and packing job that will be delivered to the customer in a few weeks. The volume of work Sandvik sends to Stairon has steadily increased.

‘Courage, adaptability and a continuous hunger for learning are the cornerstones of being a successful industrial professional. Sandvik and Stairon’s modes of operation are a unique combination of these three traits. I thank our customer for their trust, and I have faith that our strong co-operation will continue,’ says Stairon’s sales manager, Antti Reivonen. During his career, he has also gained experience in the quality assessment and process development related to heavy mining machinery manufacture.

Depending on the market situation, the shared goal for the future is to grow operations and make use of Stairon employees’ multiple skills in, for example, outfitting as well as rebuilding and manufacture.

‘One of the best things about Stairon is that in addition to being flexible, they are goal-oriented and eager to work with us by developing their expert services on a long-term basis,” Esa-Pekka Kantola concludes.

We believe there is a solution to every problem. That is why our service offering is wide and flexible.
Take a look and challenge us to solve your problem!

Customer cases | News

Stairon is more than a contract manufacturer to Caligo

Caligo Industria is a company that cleans flue gas and utilises waste heat produced in the energy and processing industry. They have been warming up their cooperation with Stairon for a long time. At the beginning of this year, they jumped straight into the deep end. There are three generating sets under way. Stairon oversees their manufacturing from start to finish.

“Stairon is a reliable and flexible partner. To me, not wasting time on moot points adds value. Stairon takes care of the welding installation and coordinates the whole project in a respectable manner,” summarises Oskari Salovaara, Operative Manager responsible for production and manufacturing at Caligo.

Partners consistently on the same page

Manufacturing one factory-tested flue gas scrubber unit requires a supply chain that takes months. As Caligo’s assembly facilities were at full capacity in this busy year, the large generating sets are built at the partner’s factory for the most part.

“Naturally, Stairon could supply us with machine parts when needed, and we have received them in small lots. Talking about long supply chains, it is extremely important that all parties have a clear goal and that they communicate their actual progress openly. Stairon has managed well in this respect, and the schedules have been relaxed or tightened as needed,” says Salovaara.

Praiseworthy structuring of work throughout the whole process

Caligo chose their partner partly based on the fact that Stairon has operated in the industry for a long time, and they are a proactive actor that knows how to boldly raise the bar. Cooperation with Stairon had been tested on a small scale already in 2014, when Salovaara started working at Caligo.

“As a customer, I would estimate that both the structuring of work and the technical side are on a reliable level at Stairon.”

Rising to tomorrow’s challenges together

In the future, Salovaara expects a continuum of cooperation, open dialogue and expertise that spars both parties. It is also important for the schedules, costs and price level to stay in line.

“Cooperation with Caligo Industria has been a good and developing experience for Stairon. I refer not only to our commercial projects, but also to the competences accumulated in connection with them and the produced competitiveness. Caligo’s top-quality products and the best professionals in the field have taught us many things. In response, we work hard so that we can provide Caligo with significant competitiveness now and in the future,” concludes Antti Reivonen, Sales Manager at Stairon.

Are you interested in a cooperation relationship that is not satisfied with “this is how we have always done it”?
Get in touch with us!