Aluminiumprofiles arkistot - Mäkelä Alu Oy https://dev.makelaalu.fi/en/category/aluminiumprofiles/ Alumiiniprofiilien puristaminen vuosikymmenten kokemuksella. Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:06:03 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://makelaalu.fi/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/makelaalu-logo-www-150x150.jpg Aluminiumprofiles arkistot - Mäkelä Alu Oy https://dev.makelaalu.fi/en/category/aluminiumprofiles/ 32 32 The quality of aluminium profiles affects the final result of terrace and balcony glazing https://makelaalu.fi/en/aluminiumprofiles/the-quality-of-aluminium-profiles-affects-the-final-resultof-terrace-and-balcony-glazing/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:27:28 +0000 https://makelaalu.fi/uncategorized/alumiiniprofiilien-laatu-vaikuttaa-terassi-ja-parvekelasitusten-onnistumiseen/ The finished appearance of the end product is particularly important in visual applications where surfaces remain visible at all times. This is the case, for example, in balcony and terrace glazing. Alutec, based in Ylivieska, has relied on Mäkelä Alu’s service for fifteen years. – High-quality aluminium profiles and smooth cooperation are clear strengths at Mäkelä, says Kari Salonsaari, CEO of Alutec Oy. – There is always time for the customer. This is especially helpful in product development. The storage service, in turn, speeds up our own production chain, summarises Purchasing Manager Jarkko Somero. From steel to aluminium Alutec is a family business whose operations began in 1979 as part-time production of steel doors in the Salonsaari family’s garage. The business was started by Kari Salonsaari’s father. Over the years, the operations became full-time, the raw material of the doors changed to aluminium, and the product range began to expand. The company has grown steadily over the decades and today employs around 80 people. – Our customers are mainly large and medium-sized construction companies, although there are also smaller ones. Our operations are divided into project business and terrace and balcony glazing solutions sold and installed through our reseller network. In project business, the focus is mainly on apartment and commercial construction, largely concentrated in the Helsinki metropolitan area, where we supply aluminium doors, windows and façade solutions such as various glass walls and roofs. Recently, projects have been located more widely across Finland, from Hanko to Levi, Kari Salonsaari continues. Alutec’s production facilities and headquarters are located in Ylivieska, where there are two separate factories: one produces doors, windows and façade solutions for project business, and the other focuses on terrace and balcony glazing solutions. In addition, the company has offices in Vantaa, Oulu, Tampere and Turku. – Our reseller network includes around 40 resellers across Finland. These are typically smaller glass installation companies or similar, who resell and install our terrace and balcony products. Mäkelä Alu produces aluminium profiles for us specifically for this market, Kari Salonsaari explains. Appearance and fast deliveries matter Alutec has invested in the digitalisation of its operations and is already highly digitalised for its size. Orders to Mäkelä Alu are also transmitted via an electronic interface. – This significantly improves efficiency for both parties, as people do not need to manually enter data anywhere, which also eliminates typing errors. Order confirmations always arrive quickly from Mäkelä, within the same day, says Jarkko Somero. Delivery time has been minimised thanks to the storage service. – This clearly benefits us. The storage service speeds up our own production chain: we receive profiles quickly and can serve our customers smoothly. Especially with international customers, there may be a wide variety of colours, and we cannot anticipate these orders. But any colour can be delivered quickly from Mäkelä, Jarkko Somero notes. Another important factor is the quality of the profiles. The profiles are delivered to Alutec already powder coated. – The quality has been good. Of course, there are occasional issues, but considering the volume we receive, there are relatively few, Jarkko Somero says. – The surface must be perfect, as the products are installed in visible places on terraces and balconies. They are often viewed from very close distances, and there must not be even the smallest defect, he adds. Services that improve efficiency In addition to the AluStorage® storage service, Alutec uses the AluBasket® logistics solution. – We constantly have a large number of baskets in circulation. Some are in use and partially filled, others are empty. They can be stored compactly and are easy to handle with a forklift. The solution also reduces transport costs and improves occupational safety. The baskets also physically save space in the hall, says Jarkko Somero. – In addition to speeding up our production chain, the storage service also saves money. Our own warehouse would require significant storage costs and tie up a lot of capital, Jarkko Somero reflects. – Profiles arrive very quickly and go almost directly into production. This is another reason why quality must be top-class, as any quality issues would slow down our production, notes Kari Salonsaari. Support in product development has also been an important advantage for Alutec. – If we have any product development challenges, they are resolved quickly together with Mäkelä. Communication works smoothly, which helps move things forward quickly, Jarkko Somero adds. – There is a lot of variation in our profiles, and we have a large number of tools: very small profiles as well as large ones. It is important that we can rely on the profile supplier when designing new tools, says Kari Salonsaari. Architects usually aim to minimise the visible aluminium in their designs. – In this context, usability of the profiles is also emphasised, and of course design plays a key role in achieving the best possible end result for the customer, Jarkko Somero states. New potential in decorative coating In some projects, Alutec has used the Decoral decorative coating. According to Jarkko Somero, it has even more potential. – Decoral is a very striking and maintenance-free solution. It is suitable, for example, for balcony handrails in more visually demanding projects where a wood-like appearance is desired. In some projects, we have used a Decoral coating that imitates white oak, he says. Looking ahead with confidence Although the downturn in construction has also slowed Alutec’s growth figures, the company remains optimistic about the future. Responsible operations are also an important core value. – We regularly measure employee satisfaction, and it has remained at a good level. We continuously invest in developing and improving our operations. Customer satisfaction is also at a good level, Kari Salonsaari says. The company is also planning to expand its production facilities when the market improves. – Investment decisions are somewhat difficult at the moment, but despite that, we acquired the Swedish company Balkongrutan Mälardalen AB at the turn of the year. Our goal is to strengthen our position in Sweden, says […]

Artikkeli The quality of aluminium profiles affects the final result of terrace and balcony glazing julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> The finished appearance of the end product is particularly important in visual applications where surfaces remain visible at all times. This is the case, for example, in balcony and terrace glazing. Alutec, based in Ylivieska, has relied on Mäkelä Alu’s service for fifteen years.

– High-quality aluminium profiles and smooth cooperation are clear strengths at Mäkelä, says Kari Salonsaari, CEO of Alutec Oy.

– There is always time for the customer. This is especially helpful in product development. The storage service, in turn, speeds up our own production chain, summarises Purchasing Manager Jarkko Somero.

From steel to aluminium

Alutec is a family business whose operations began in 1979 as part-time production of steel doors in the Salonsaari family’s garage. The business was started by Kari Salonsaari’s father. Over the years, the operations became full-time, the raw material of the doors changed to aluminium, and the product range began to expand. The company has grown steadily over the decades and today employs around 80 people.

– Our customers are mainly large and medium-sized construction companies, although there are also smaller ones. Our operations are divided into project business and terrace and balcony glazing solutions sold and installed through our reseller network. In project business, the focus is mainly on apartment and commercial construction, largely concentrated in the Helsinki metropolitan area, where we supply aluminium doors, windows and façade solutions such as various glass walls and roofs. Recently, projects have been located more widely across Finland, from Hanko to Levi, Kari Salonsaari continues.

Alutec’s production facilities and headquarters are located in Ylivieska, where there are two separate factories: one produces doors, windows and façade solutions for project business, and the other focuses on terrace and balcony glazing solutions. In addition, the company has offices in Vantaa, Oulu, Tampere and Turku.

– Our reseller network includes around 40 resellers across Finland. These are typically smaller glass installation companies or similar, who resell and install our terrace and balcony products. Mäkelä Alu produces aluminium profiles for us specifically for this market, Kari Salonsaari explains.

Standard colours are used in terrace glazing profiles. The profiles are powder coated at Mäkelä Alu’s paintshop.

Appearance and fast deliveries matter

Alutec has invested in the digitalisation of its operations and is already highly digitalised for its size. Orders to Mäkelä Alu are also transmitted via an electronic interface.

– This significantly improves efficiency for both parties, as people do not need to manually enter data anywhere, which also eliminates typing errors. Order confirmations always arrive quickly from Mäkelä, within the same day, says Jarkko Somero.

Delivery time has been minimised thanks to the storage service.

– This clearly benefits us. The storage service speeds up our own production chain: we receive profiles quickly and can serve our customers smoothly. Especially with international customers, there may be a wide variety of colours, and we cannot anticipate these orders. But any colour can be delivered quickly from Mäkelä, Jarkko Somero notes.

Another important factor is the quality of the profiles. The profiles are delivered to Alutec already powder coated.

– The quality has been good. Of course, there are occasional issues, but considering the volume we receive, there are relatively few, Jarkko Somero says.

– The surface must be perfect, as the products are installed in visible places on terraces and balconies. They are often viewed from very close distances, and there must not be even the smallest defect, he adds.

Uncut profiles on their way to the machining centre.

Services that improve efficiency

In addition to the AluStorage® storage service, Alutec uses the AluBasket® logistics solution.

– We constantly have a large number of baskets in circulation. Some are in use and partially filled, others are empty. They can be stored compactly and are easy to handle with a forklift. The solution also reduces transport costs and improves occupational safety. The baskets also physically save space in the hall, says Jarkko Somero.

– In addition to speeding up our production chain, the storage service also saves money. Our own warehouse would require significant storage costs and tie up a lot of capital, Jarkko Somero reflects.

– Profiles arrive very quickly and go almost directly into production. This is another reason why quality must be top-class, as any quality issues would slow down our production, notes Kari Salonsaari.

Support in product development has also been an important advantage for Alutec.

– If we have any product development challenges, they are resolved quickly together with Mäkelä. Communication works smoothly, which helps move things forward quickly, Jarkko Somero adds.

Numerous different profile shapes are required in terrace glazing.

– There is a lot of variation in our profiles, and we have a large number of tools: very small profiles as well as large ones. It is important that we can rely on the profile supplier when designing new tools, says Kari Salonsaari.

Architects usually aim to minimise the visible aluminium in their designs.

– In this context, usability of the profiles is also emphasised, and of course design plays a key role in achieving the best possible end result for the customer, Jarkko Somero states.

New potential in decorative coating

In some projects, Alutec has used the Decoral decorative coating. According to Jarkko Somero, it has even more potential.

– Decoral is a very striking and maintenance-free solution. It is suitable, for example, for balcony handrails in more visually demanding projects where a wood-like appearance is desired. In some projects, we have used a Decoral coating that imitates white oak, he says.

Looking ahead with confidence

Although the downturn in construction has also slowed Alutec’s growth figures, the company remains optimistic about the future. Responsible operations are also an important core value.

– We regularly measure employee satisfaction, and it has remained at a good level. We continuously invest in developing and improving our operations. Customer satisfaction is also at a good level, Kari Salonsaari says.

The company is also planning to expand its production facilities when the market improves.

– Investment decisions are somewhat difficult at the moment, but despite that, we acquired the Swedish company Balkongrutan Mälardalen AB at the turn of the year. Our goal is to strengthen our position in Sweden, says Kari Salonsaari.

– Despite the downturn, we aim to return to our previous growth levels and have set growth targets accordingly for the coming years, he adds.

The main image of the article features Veikko Nurkkala, who has extensive experience in aluminium construction.

Artikkeli The quality of aluminium profiles affects the final result of terrace and balcony glazing julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> Decades-lasting products and partnership https://makelaalu.fi/en/news/decades-lasting-products-and-partnership/ Mon, 27 May 2024 09:28:25 +0000 https://makelaalu.fi/?p=10365 Ähtäri-based Muovilami Oy is a family-owned company founded in 1966 that manufactures hygienic reinforced plastic doors. The doors manufactured by the company are widely known as LAMI Doors. Each door is always tailored to the customer’s needs and application. “We manufacture doors for various industries operating in demanding environments. The door must be wear-resistant, impact-resistant, fire-resistant, hygienic, moisture and water-resistant, and resistant to chemicals and corrosion,” says Juha-Matti Aho, the company’s Vice President. Muovilami’s product guarantees are not just empty words. This is proven by the fact that the first LAMI door, manufactured in 1966, is still in use. The products last for decades. Under normal use, LAMI door panels and frames are guaranteed for 25 years against water and moisture. “It is very important in demanding environments that the product lasts,” adds Jaana Aho, Managing Director. The door frames are manufactured at Mäkelä Alu’s Luoma-aho factory. There are dozens of different extrusion tools available at Muovilami. “The profiles delivered to us are anodized and sometimes powder coated. We surface treat very small batches of less than eight pieces here in Ähtäri, in a smaller paint shop next door to our factory,” says Juha-Matti Aho. A long partnership Muovilami Oy is one of Mäkelä Alu’s longest standing customers. When Mäkelä Alu was about to order its first extrusion line from Germany in the late 1980s, it was breaking new ground. It was a big investment: the new machines cost around FIM 35 million. Of course, Mäkelä Alu had to find customers for its new production. “Before the extrusion plant was even up and running, Mäkelä Alu contacted us and asked if we would buy their products if the company started manufacturing aluminium profiles. And of course we promised to buy, especially since the factory was planned so close,” says Jaana Aho. The first aluminium profiles were extruded at Mäkelä Alu on 16 December 1990. “Indeed, our cooperation started with the design of profiles in 1990, and the first extrusion tools were ordered in spring 1991. The cooperation has been quite smooth on both sides,” says Asko Perälampi from Mäkelä Alu.   High quality, timely deliveries and excellent service One of Muovilami’s requirements for aluminium profiles is uniformity. “Of course, the surface treatments must also be of high quality. The delivery times must be very accurate. We are very satisfied with Mäkelä Alu’s service in these areas,” Juha-Matti Aho says. Muovilami uses Mäkelä Alu’s AluStorage® warehousing service, which helps them with fast deliveries. “Certain profiles are always in stock at Mäkelä Alu. When we order these profiles, stock levels are replenished to the agreed level,” says Plant Manager Jussi Pöyhölä. Untreated, anodized and powder-coated profiles are available from stock as required. The machining is done by Muovilami itself. “Our batches are small, and each door can be a little different. This is why it makes more sense to carry out the machining in-house,” explains Jussi Pöyhölä. The company also relies on Mäkelä Alu’s expertise in designing aluminium profiles and ensuring that they are just right. “We need new tools from time to time. Mäkelä Alu helps us in our development projects or in the design of new products. We first sketch the profile shape ourselves, and then Mäkelä Alu’s designers draw it the way it should be,” Pöyhölä laughs. “We work very closely with Mäkelä Alu. We have known the office staff for a long time. Doing business is easy and comfortable,” adds Juha-Matti Aho.   Doors around the world LAMI doors are used in the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals and nursing homes, food industry, supermarkets, industrial kitchens, spas and swimming pools, and various production facilities. All premises where hygiene, sanitation and durability are important. The main reason to choose LAMI doors is the long life cycle of the products. “Around half of our production is exported. We have subsidiaries in the UK and Sweden, but all our products are manufactured in Ähtäri, Finland. The Nordic countries are an important region for us, as are England, Ireland, the Baltic States and Poland. There are also important export countries in Central Europe. As a rule, our products are sent to ten to twelve countries,” says Jaana Aho. “But we have also delivered doors to more distant locations, such as a hospital laboratory in Australia and Myanmar. We delivered several hundred doors to a clinic in Nigeria; two sea containers in total,” Jussi Pöyhölä adds. Recently, Muovilami was involved in a major project, the refurbishment of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in England. “The site required water and moisture-resistant doors that are easy to clean. The project included the delivery of 106 doors for dog rehoming facilities and 16 doors for cat rehoming facilities, as well as doors for the utility rooms, staff rooms and lobby areas,” says Jussi Pöyhölä. “We are not consciously looking for customers from the ends of the earth. Usually it’s because someone has seen our products, for example on a hospital visit in England, and finds us through that. We focus on our main export countries in Europe, where we are actively involved in sales and marketing,” says Jaana Aho. In the main photo of the article there is plant manager Jussi Pöyhölä (left) with packer Eino Tuhkio.

Artikkeli Decades-lasting products and partnership julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> Ähtäri-based Muovilami Oy is a family-owned company founded in 1966 that manufactures hygienic reinforced plastic doors. The doors manufactured by the company are widely known as LAMI Doors. Each door is always tailored to the customer’s needs and application.

“We manufacture doors for various industries operating in demanding environments. The door must be wear-resistant, impact-resistant, fire-resistant, hygienic, moisture and water-resistant, and resistant to chemicals and corrosion,” says Juha-Matti Aho, the company’s Vice President.

Muovilami’s product guarantees are not just empty words. This is proven by the fact that the first LAMI door, manufactured in 1966, is still in use. The products last for decades. Under normal use, LAMI door panels and frames are guaranteed for 25 years against water and moisture.

“It is very important in demanding environments that the product lasts,” adds Jaana Aho, Managing Director.

The door frames are manufactured at Mäkelä Alu’s Luoma-aho factory. There are dozens of different extrusion tools available at Muovilami.

“The profiles delivered to us are anodized and sometimes powder coated. We surface treat very small batches of less than eight pieces here in Ähtäri, in a smaller paint shop next door to our factory,” says Juha-Matti Aho.

Alumiiniset ovenkarmit alumiiniprofiilista
LAMI doors are carefully manufactured, of high quality and durable.

A long partnership

Muovilami Oy is one of Mäkelä Alu’s longest standing customers. When Mäkelä Alu was about to order its first extrusion line from Germany in the late 1980s, it was breaking new ground. It was a big investment: the new machines cost around FIM 35 million. Of course, Mäkelä Alu had to find customers for its new production.

“Before the extrusion plant was even up and running, Mäkelä Alu contacted us and asked if we would buy their products if the company started manufacturing aluminium profiles. And of course we promised to buy, especially since the factory was planned so close,” says Jaana Aho.

The first aluminium profiles were extruded at Mäkelä Alu on 16 December 1990.

“Indeed, our cooperation started with the design of profiles in 1990, and the first extrusion tools were ordered in spring 1991. The cooperation has been quite smooth on both sides,” says Asko Perälampi from Mäkelä Alu.

 

High quality, timely deliveries and excellent service

One of Muovilami’s requirements for aluminium profiles is uniformity.

“Of course, the surface treatments must also be of high quality. The delivery times must be very accurate. We are very satisfied with Mäkelä Alu’s service in these areas,” Juha-Matti Aho says.

Muovilami uses Mäkelä Alu’s AluStorage® warehousing service, which helps them with fast deliveries.

“Certain profiles are always in stock at Mäkelä Alu. When we order these profiles, stock levels are replenished to the agreed level,” says Plant Manager Jussi Pöyhölä.

Untreated, anodized and powder-coated profiles are available from stock as required. The machining is done by Muovilami itself.

“Our batches are small, and each door can be a little different. This is why it makes more sense to carry out the machining in-house,” explains Jussi Pöyhölä.

Mäkelä Alun alumiiniprofiilia viedään työstettäväksi asiakkaalla Muovilami Oy
Muovilami Oy’s Ähtäri site employs 40 people. The company also has offices abroad with a total of five employees.

The company also relies on Mäkelä Alu’s expertise in designing aluminium profiles and ensuring that they are just right.

“We need new tools from time to time. Mäkelä Alu helps us in our development projects or in the design of new products. We first sketch the profile shape ourselves, and then Mäkelä Alu’s designers draw it the way it should be,” Pöyhölä laughs.

“We work very closely with Mäkelä Alu. We have known the office staff for a long time. Doing business is easy and comfortable,” adds Juha-Matti Aho.

 

Doors around the world

LAMI doors are used in the pharmaceutical industry, hospitals and nursing homes, food industry, supermarkets, industrial kitchens, spas and swimming pools, and various production facilities. All premises where hygiene, sanitation and durability are important. The main reason to choose LAMI doors is the long life cycle of the products.

“Around half of our production is exported. We have subsidiaries in the UK and Sweden, but all our products are manufactured in Ähtäri, Finland. The Nordic countries are an important region for us, as are England, Ireland, the Baltic States and Poland. There are also important export countries in Central Europe. As a rule, our products are sent to ten to twelve countries,” says Jaana Aho.

“But we have also delivered doors to more distant locations, such as a hospital laboratory in Australia and Myanmar. We delivered several hundred doors to a clinic in Nigeria; two sea containers in total,” Jussi Pöyhölä adds.

Recently, Muovilami was involved in a major project, the refurbishment of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in England.

“The site required water and moisture-resistant doors that are easy to clean. The project included the delivery of 106 doors for dog rehoming facilities and 16 doors for cat rehoming facilities, as well as doors for the utility rooms, staff rooms and lobby areas,” says Jussi Pöyhölä.

“We are not consciously looking for customers from the ends of the earth. Usually it’s because someone has seen our products, for example on a hospital visit in England, and finds us through that. We focus on our main export countries in Europe, where we are actively involved in sales and marketing,” says Jaana Aho.

Juha-Matti Aho (left), Jussi Pöyhölä and Jaana Aho are confident that they will continue their long-term cooperation in the future.

In the main photo of the article there is plant manager Jussi Pöyhölä (left) with packer Eino Tuhkio.

Artikkeli Decades-lasting products and partnership julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> Responsible and environmentally friendly aluminium profile production https://makelaalu.fi/en/news/responsible-and-environmentally-friendly-aluminium-profile-production/ Wed, 22 Nov 2023 14:19:57 +0000 https://makelaalu.fi/?p=9818 “This article has been published in the Nordische Profis 2023 publication.” A responsible and modern aluminium extrusion plant nestled amongst Finnish forests – this is Mäkelä Alu. In this article, we explain what measures we have taken to be more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Our customers across Europe appreciate our services, which bring valuable cost benefits to their processes. We have invested in sustainable production and environmentally friendly solutions for years. Our production will be completely carbon neutral by the end of 2025. To this end, we recently launched a development project worth approximately EUR 10 million to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency, and combat climate change.   Phasing out LPG is a significant step In the project, the most significant reduction in emissions will be achieved by replacing our LPG process heating appliances with electric ones. Electrification and the renewable energy sub-projects will require major changes to our factory’s internal electrical network. “We will significantly reduce the use of LPG by electrifying production and increasing heat recovery. With these measures, we can reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by about 2,800 tonnes per year, which is about 40 per cent of our current emissions from production,” says Development Director Tomi Pilbacka. LPG is currently used in applications such as billet heating on our two extrusion lines. These heating systems will be replaced by new technology that can use renewable electricity as energy. One of our three extrusion lines already uses electric billet heating. “With heat recovery and heat pumps, we can eliminate the use of LPG, especially in our surface treatment lines and in the heating of buildings. In addition, we intend to build a 1 MWh electricity storage facility in the Alajärvi plant area,” Pilbacka continues.   Carbon-neutral anodizing will soon become a reality This autumn, we can start talking about carbon-neutral anodizing, as we have completely renovated our anodizing plant’s energy system. The renovation was carried out in stages and the resulting system is completely unique; there is nothing exactly like it anywhere else in the world. “In the first phase, we implemented a waste heat recovery solution with a heat pump system. Previously, the process was heated by a steam centre powered by LPG and cooled by electric coolers. First, we started utilising the heat generated in the anodizing tanks. With heat recovery, we were able to cool the tanks at the same time. With the above-mentioned solution, we were able to replace part of the heating produced by the steam centre with electricity,” Tomi Pilbacka explains. In the second phase of the energy renovation, the heat pump system and heat recovery were expanded so that gas could be almost completely phased out from heat production. “In addition to the heat pump, electric and gas boilers were also purchased. A gas-fired gas boiler is needed as a backup and as an additional source of heat in freezing weather, but otherwise all heating is produced by a heat pump and an electric boiler. The new gas boiler is also equipped to transition to using biogas. Our goal is to stop using LPG altogether,” he continues. In anodizing, we also recover heat from wastewater. The plant’s heat recovery saves up to 1,800 megawatt-hours of energy per year.   Aluminium billets from recycled AluPure More and more of our customers are monitoring the emissions and environmental impact of their production. Due to a new, environmentally conscious approach, interest in recycled aluminium has also increased. To respond to these needs, we offer our customers AluPure aluminium billets produced in our own foundry, which consist of 100% recycled aluminium. We have been producing recycled aluminium for a long time, as many of our customers look for the lowest possible primary percentage. Selecting aluminium profiles made from recycled aluminium billets allows you to reduce the carbon footprint of the final product. The emissions of AluPure are very low, only 2.01 tn CO2e/t. The carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) describes the climate impact of human-produced greenhouse gases. The measurement unit used (tn CO2e/t) illustrates how many carbon dioxide equivalent tonnes are produced when a thousand kilogrammes of product are manufactured. By comparison, the average emissions of primary aluminium produced in Europe are 6.7 tn CO2e/t. “The figures show that the choice of aluminium profile manufacturer can have a great impact on the climate and the environment. By choosing AluPure, you are making a choice for the environment and the climate,” says Päivi Venesoja, Mäkelä Alu’s EHSQ Manager.   Ecolabelled AluPure Mäkelä Alu has completed an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for profiles made from both recycled AluPure and primary aluminium. “An Environmental Product Declaration is a standardised, reliable way to present a life-cycle analysis of a product or service. An EPD is an independently verified and certified document that provides clear and comparable information about the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle,” says Päivi Venesoja. AluPure also bears the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. Ympäristömerkintä Suomi Oy has approved the use of window profiles made from Mäkelä Alu’s recycled aluminium in Nordic Swan Ecolabelled buildings in accordance with the building requirement O25 (“Windows and outer doors of non-renewable materials”). The label is an official ecolabel used in the Nordic countries, which means that the product or service meets the environmental criteria set for the label.   Quality partner for aluminium profile production In addition to our environmental efforts, we also act responsibly by taking good care of our employees and being a reliable partner for our customers and suppliers. Mäkelä Alu’s AluServices® concept, a customer-oriented solution developed based on customer needs, aims to ensure that customers get the aluminium profiles they need as easily as possible and exactly when they need them. The traditional method of buying large quantities of raw materials for storage as cheaply as possible ties up capital, takes up space, and hinders business growth and development. These are things that Mäkelä Alu’s customers do not have to worry about when purchasing aluminium profiles. “This type of operating model does not […]

Artikkeli Responsible and environmentally friendly aluminium profile production julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> “This article has been published in the Nordische Profis 2023 publication.”

A responsible and modern aluminium extrusion plant nestled amongst Finnish forests – this is Mäkelä Alu. In this article, we explain what measures we have taken to be more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Our customers across Europe appreciate our services, which bring valuable cost benefits to their processes.

We have invested in sustainable production and environmentally friendly solutions for years. Our production will be completely carbon neutral by the end of 2025. To this end, we recently launched a development project worth approximately EUR 10 million to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency, and combat climate change.

 

Phasing out LPG is a significant step

In the project, the most significant reduction in emissions will be achieved by replacing our LPG process heating appliances with electric ones. Electrification and the renewable energy sub-projects will require major changes to our factory’s internal electrical network.

“We will significantly reduce the use of LPG by electrifying production and increasing heat recovery. With these measures, we can reduce our carbon dioxide emissions by about 2,800 tonnes per year, which is about 40 per cent of our current emissions from production,” says Development Director Tomi Pilbacka.

LPG is currently used in applications such as billet heating on our two extrusion lines. These heating systems will be replaced by new technology that can use renewable electricity as energy. One of our three extrusion lines already uses electric billet heating.

“With heat recovery and heat pumps, we can eliminate the use of LPG, especially in our surface treatment lines and in the heating of buildings. In addition, we intend to build a 1 MWh electricity storage facility in the Alajärvi plant area,” Pilbacka continues.

 

Carbon-neutral anodizing will soon become a reality

This autumn, we can start talking about carbon-neutral anodizing, as we have completely renovated our anodizing plant’s energy system. The renovation was carried out in stages and the resulting system is completely unique; there is nothing exactly like it anywhere else in the world.

“In the first phase, we implemented a waste heat recovery solution with a heat pump system. Previously, the process was heated by a steam centre powered by LPG and cooled by electric coolers. First, we started utilising the heat generated in the anodizing tanks. With heat recovery, we were able to cool the tanks at the same time. With the above-mentioned solution, we were able to replace part of the heating produced by the steam centre with electricity,” Tomi Pilbacka explains.

In the second phase of the energy renovation, the heat pump system and heat recovery were expanded so that gas could be almost completely phased out from heat production.

“In addition to the heat pump, electric and gas boilers were also purchased. A gas-fired gas boiler is needed as a backup and as an additional source of heat in freezing weather, but otherwise all heating is produced by a heat pump and an electric boiler. The new gas boiler is also equipped to transition to using biogas. Our goal is to stop using LPG altogether,” he continues.

In anodizing, we also recover heat from wastewater. The plant’s heat recovery saves up to 1,800 megawatt-hours of energy per year.

 

Aluminium billets from recycled AluPure

More and more of our customers are monitoring the emissions and environmental impact of their production. Due to a new, environmentally conscious approach, interest in recycled aluminium has also increased. To respond to these needs, we offer our customers AluPure aluminium billets produced in our own foundry, which consist of 100% recycled aluminium. We have been producing recycled aluminium for a long time, as many of our customers look for the lowest possible primary percentage. Selecting aluminium profiles made from recycled aluminium billets allows you to reduce the carbon footprint of the final product.

The emissions of AluPure are very low, only 2.01 tn CO2e/t. The carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) describes the climate impact of human-produced greenhouse gases. The measurement unit used (tn CO2e/t) illustrates how many carbon dioxide equivalent tonnes are produced when a thousand kilogrammes of product are manufactured. By comparison, the average emissions of primary aluminium produced in Europe are 6.7 tn CO2e/t.

“The figures show that the choice of aluminium profile manufacturer can have a great impact on the climate and the environment. By choosing AluPure, you are making a choice for the environment and the climate,” says Päivi Venesoja, Mäkelä Alu’s EHSQ Manager.

 

Ecolabelled AluPure

Mäkelä Alu has completed an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for profiles made from both recycled AluPure and primary aluminium.

“An Environmental Product Declaration is a standardised, reliable way to present a life-cycle analysis of a product or service. An EPD is an independently verified and certified document that provides clear and comparable information about the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle,” says Päivi Venesoja.

AluPure also bears the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. Ympäristömerkintä Suomi Oy has approved the use of window profiles made from Mäkelä Alu’s recycled aluminium in Nordic Swan Ecolabelled buildings in accordance with the building requirement O25 (“Windows and outer doors of non-renewable materials”).

The label is an official ecolabel used in the Nordic countries, which means that the product or service meets the environmental criteria set for the label.

 

Quality partner for aluminium profile production

In addition to our environmental efforts, we also act responsibly by taking good care of our employees and being a reliable partner for our customers and suppliers. Mäkelä Alu’s AluServices® concept, a customer-oriented solution developed based on customer needs, aims to ensure that customers get the aluminium profiles they need as easily as possible and exactly when they need them.

The traditional method of buying large quantities of raw materials for storage as cheaply as possible ties up capital, takes up space, and hinders business growth and development. These are things that Mäkelä Alu’s customers do not have to worry about when purchasing aluminium profiles.

“This type of operating model does not meet current needs, and it does not allow us to respond to individual orders, especially those that contain profiles in customised colours,” says Mäkelä Alu’s Export Manager Janne Lager.

Our goal is not always to sell the product at the lowest price, but to offer the most cost-effective solution for the customer. After all, the final price is not solely determined by the price of raw materials, but by the efficiency of the entire production process.

“That is where our customised service packages bring added value. The overall benefits should be assessed by looking at the process as a whole, not just by focusing on the time of purchase,” says Lager.

Artikkeli Responsible and environmentally friendly aluminium profile production julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> Innovation: Aluminium lighting columns developed through collaboration https://makelaalu.fi/en/news/innovation-aluminium-lighting-columns-developed-through-collaboration/ Wed, 22 Nov 2023 11:49:34 +0000 https://makelaalu.fi/?p=9799 Modern lighting columns, which appear to be a combination of steel and wood, illuminate the roads and pedestrian walkways in Loviisa’s Housing Fair area. However, the material that looks like oak is actually aluminium. Lighting columns made of galvanised steel or wood are a familiar sight in Finland. Sähkö-Jokinen Oy, a company specialising in the development and manufacture of outdoor lighting products, wanted to bring something new to the traditional products: a pattern-coated steel column that would be both durable and attractive. “We had taken a liking to Decoral and wanted to finish our new column model with this solution. We started discussing the solution with Mäkelä Alu years ago,” says Ville Nieminen, Sales Director at Sähkö-Jokinen Oy. “We came up with some solutions that could work, but the Decoral coating is not the best and most cost-effective solution for use with steel. However, the customer was determined to use Decoral,” says Mäkelä Alu’s Sales Specialist Janne Kohonen. “We then asked if the column profile could be made of aluminium. This was the starting point for the development of column models made from aluminium profiles,” he adds.   A solution developed together with the customer The lighting contract for the Loviisa Housing Fair area was awarded to Sähkö-Jokinen through a public tender organised by the City of Loviisa. “Their aim was to build an attractive area featuring wood or a similar material. They also had an idea of the colours they wanted for the area. Together with Janne, we started to plan possible solutions. We drew sketches, thought about materials, and specified dimensions. In the end, we came up with the solution we set out to offer,” says Ville Nieminen. The smaller columns illuminating the pedestrian walkways in the area are made entirely of aluminium and are also coated with Decoral. “If you look at urban areas and coastal roads, for example, there are a lot of stress factors such as humid, salty sea air, traffic, exhaust fumes, and dogs, all of which contribute to the performance of the coatings and appearance of the columns. The materials and solutions must be of the highest quality to withstand the stresses and strains of the outdoors,” says Ville Nieminen.   Aluminium: A sustainable and environmentally friendly choice Wood is a traditional material for lighting columns, but its life-cycle cost is often higher than that of other materials. “In public buildings, the best solution is to use weather-resistant materials that are virtually maintenance-free. This frees up resources for maintenance. Aluminium is an excellent material for these applications,” says Ville Nieminen. Lighting columns made of aluminium have had a bad reputation in Finland due to the common assumption that aluminium is not durable. In the past, the best solutions were not available, but alloys, techniques and knowledge have evolved considerably since the 1970s or 1980s. “Aluminium is used in the manufacture of lighting columns in other Nordic countries as well,” says Janne Kohonen. “Mäkelä Alu has extensive expertise in aluminium products. They have found alloys that are sure to last on lighting columns. We have a great deal of confidence in the use of aluminium in these products,” says Ville Nieminen. Both companies strongly believe in this joint innovation and look forward to continuing the cooperation. “We plan to expand this into a product family in the near future,” says Ville Nieminen, contemplating Sähkö-Jokinen’s future plans. INFO Sähkö-Jokinen Oy 55-year-old family business in Noormarkku, Pori 26 employees Exports around 20% of turnover, mainly to the Nordic countries, England, and the Baltic countries Notable innovations, including collision-resistant KAPU® poles, which either bring vehicles to a stop in a controlled manner or give way to vehicles safely in the event of a collision.

Artikkeli Innovation: Aluminium lighting columns developed through collaboration julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> Modern lighting columns, which appear to be a combination of steel and wood, illuminate the roads and pedestrian walkways in Loviisa’s Housing Fair area. However, the material that looks like oak is actually aluminium.

Lighting columns made of galvanised steel or wood are a familiar sight in Finland. Sähkö-Jokinen Oy, a company specialising in the development and manufacture of outdoor lighting products, wanted to bring something new to the traditional products: a pattern-coated steel column that would be both durable and attractive.

“We had taken a liking to Decoral and wanted to finish our new column model with this solution. We started discussing the solution with Mäkelä Alu years ago,” says Ville Nieminen, Sales Director at Sähkö-Jokinen Oy.

“Mäkelä Alu has extensive expertise in aluminium”, says Ville Nieminen from Sähkö-Jokinen.

“We came up with some solutions that could work, but the Decoral coating is not the best and most cost-effective solution for use with steel. However, the customer was determined to use Decoral,” says Mäkelä Alu’s Sales Specialist Janne Kohonen.

“We then asked if the column profile could be made of aluminium. This was the starting point for the development of column models made from aluminium profiles,” he adds.

 

A solution developed together with the customer

The lighting contract for the Loviisa Housing Fair area was awarded to Sähkö-Jokinen through a public tender organised by the City of Loviisa.

“Their aim was to build an attractive area featuring wood or a similar material. They also had an idea of the colours they wanted for the area. Together with Janne, we started to plan possible solutions. We drew sketches, thought about materials, and specified dimensions. In the end, we came up with the solution we set out to offer,” says Ville Nieminen.

“Decoral-coated, stylish lighting columns are perfectly suited to the housing fair area’s ambiance.”

The smaller columns illuminating the pedestrian walkways in the area are made entirely of aluminium and are also coated with Decoral.

“If you look at urban areas and coastal roads, for example, there are a lot of stress factors such as humid, salty sea air, traffic, exhaust fumes, and dogs, all of which contribute to the performance of the coatings and appearance of the columns. The materials and solutions must be of the highest quality to withstand the stresses and strains of the outdoors,” says Ville Nieminen.

 

Aluminium: A sustainable and environmentally friendly choice

Wood is a traditional material for lighting columns, but its life-cycle cost is often higher than that of other materials.

“In public buildings, the best solution is to use weather-resistant materials that are virtually maintenance-free. This frees up resources for maintenance. Aluminium is an excellent material for these applications,” says Ville Nieminen.

Currently, Sähkö-Jokinen offers three different options of Decoral-coated lighting columns.

Lighting columns made of aluminium have had a bad reputation in Finland due to the common assumption that aluminium is not durable. In the past, the best solutions were not available, but alloys, techniques and knowledge have evolved considerably since the 1970s or 1980s.

“Aluminium is used in the manufacture of lighting columns in other Nordic countries as well,” says Janne Kohonen.

“Mäkelä Alu has extensive expertise in aluminium products. They have found alloys that are sure to last on lighting columns. We have a great deal of confidence in the use of aluminium in these products,” says Ville Nieminen.

Both companies strongly believe in this joint innovation and look forward to continuing the cooperation.

“We plan to expand this into a product family in the near future,” says Ville Nieminen, contemplating Sähkö-Jokinen’s future plans.

The Decoral-coated aluminum profile looks deceptively like oak. The base of the lighting column is made of steel.

INFO Sähkö-Jokinen Oy

  • 55-year-old family business in Noormarkku, Pori
  • 26 employees
  • Exports around 20% of turnover, mainly to the Nordic countries, England, and the Baltic countries
  • Notable innovations, including collision-resistant KAPU® poles, which either bring vehicles to a stop in a controlled manner or give way to vehicles safely in the event of a collision.

Artikkeli Innovation: Aluminium lighting columns developed through collaboration julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> The aluminium profiles in the world’s most popular table football game are manufactured at Mäkelä Alu https://makelaalu.fi/en/news/the-aluminium-profiles-in-the-worlds-most-popular-table-football-game-are-manufactured-at-makela-alu/ Tue, 21 Feb 2023 12:29:50 +0000 https://makelaalu.fi/?p=9323 Mäkelä Alu’s idea: all our customer relationships are more than just about profiles, whether the customer is looking for a single aluminium profile, larger deliveries or warehousing services. The table football game Subsoccer®, which has gained immense international popularity, is being produced in Lauttasaari, Helsinki. All its parts are made in Finland, including the aluminium profiles used in the frame, which are manufactured at Mäkelä Alu’s factory in Luoma-aho. “When someone has an idea for a product, they present it to the supplier, and our job is to design the aluminium profile needed in the product so well that it fits perfectly with the other parts and that the final product is cost-effective, durable, and ready for the market. This is also the part we play in the story of Subsoccer®,” says Product Manager Pasi Korhonen from Mäkelä Alu. An idea born by chance The developer of Subsoccer®, Jarno Saarinen, came up with the idea for the product by chance. “I was on a summer holiday in Spain with my family, and the European Football Championship was taking place at the same time. I was watching a game between Russia and Spain on the balcony of the hotel when my daughter Emma wanted to play with me. We sat opposite each other on chairs and had a plastic ball that we kicked at each other. Emma kicked the ball under my chair and shouted SCORE,” says Jarno Saarinen, the man behind the Subsoccer® idea and the founder of 4 Feet Under, the company behind the brand. “I also wanted to watch the game while I was playing with Emma, so we used wet towels and swimsuits to build sides around the chairs so that the ball wouldn’t roll away. We had a lot of fun and suddenly I realised that we had come up with a whole new game,” he continues. The story of Subsoccer® began from that moment, and within a few years, the product gained immense popularity among the world’s most famous football stars, leagues, sports circles and brands. From vision to production The idea for Subsoccer® sat in a drawer for a few years before it was taken forward with the help of 4 Feet Under, a company founded in 2016. “At first, we didn’t really know whether the product was intended for children or adults. We also had no plans for internationalisation. We started looking for Finnish manufacturers who could deliver parts for the assembly as a turnkey solution,” says Markus Toivanen, partner and Head of Product Development and Production at 4 Feet Under. The product consists of aluminium profiles and an injection-moulded corner piece that bind the structure together. “This was our first challenge: how to make the relatively soft plastic part and the aluminium profiles stick together. We had to find suitable experts that could work together to solve this problem. We wanted to find the best people for the project, because the product had to be of high quality and durable,” says Jarno Saarinen.   Turnkey delivery The successful solution was developed in cooperation with Mäkelä Alu and North Karelian plastic product manufacturer Vesuto. In total, the product receives components from 11 Finnish suppliers. “The design work together with Mäkelä Alu went well. We received plans for parts from 4 Feet Under. We had to improve the original plans to some extent to ensure the quality and usability of the parts,” says Veikko Viitanen from Vesuto. “When designing the profiles, it was important to find the right dimensions to fit the plastic and aluminium parts, within their respective tolerances. Aluminium profiles can be extruded into all kinds of shapes, the possibilities are endless. Another option for an edge profile is a profile with LED lights,” Pasi Korhonen adds. “We often cooperate with other suppliers as well. This highlights Mäkelä Alu’s service promise: we can provide various services to our customers on a turnkey basis, from an idea to a finished product. We can take care of the profile design, tool manufacturing, extrusion of aluminium profiles, surface treatments, the necessary machining on the profiles and, of course, the delivery,” says Sales Specialist Antti Lesonen from Mäkelä Alu. “We deliver two different profiles for Subsoccer®. They are pre-sawn to the right dimensions and surface treated. What makes the product particularly interesting is when it is made with the colours of different brands and it is exciting to see where the product ends up,” he adds.   Viral videos boosted success The first Subsoccer® games were delivered to Superpark in Vantaa in 2019. This was just before the coronavirus pandemic. Shortly after, it became clear that the market in Finland would not be large enough. “We had a product worth 2,500 euros that we wanted to sell to the world. In the second year of the coronavirus pandemic, we sold the product to more than 50 countries. Of course, in the beginning we had trouble getting notable references. Soon, however, football stars began to take an interest in the product, and soon our videos had millions of views on various social media channels,” says Saarinen. Subsoccer® games for the world’s biggest brands such as Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Puma, Heineken and Ajax are currently on the production queue. According to Saarinen, the Subsoccer® game’s popularity is based on a very simple thing: in addition to being fun, the game also looks fun on social media. There is often an increase in orders and contacts after social media posts gain high visibility. “The videos that have gone viral have also caught the attention of sports media, and we have gained visibility in prime time even on Fox News. All thanks to social media,” says Saarinen.   International business from Finland 95 percent of the company’s revenue comes from exports. The product has not become a hit in Finland, at least not yet – this is likely due to the fact that Finland does not have a similar football culture as the big football countries abroad. “Our first Finnish […]

Artikkeli The aluminium profiles in the world’s most popular table football game are manufactured at Mäkelä Alu julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> Mäkelä Alu’s idea: all our customer relationships are more than just about profiles, whether the customer is looking for a single aluminium profile, larger deliveries or warehousing services. The table football game Subsoccer®, which has gained immense international popularity, is being produced in Lauttasaari, Helsinki. All its parts are made in Finland, including the aluminium profiles used in the frame, which are manufactured at Mäkelä Alu’s factory in Luoma-aho.

“When someone has an idea for a product, they present it to the supplier, and our job is to design the aluminium profile needed in the product so well that it fits perfectly with the other parts and that the final product is cost-effective, durable, and ready for the market. This is also the part we play in the story of Subsoccer®,” says Product Manager Pasi Korhonen from Mäkelä Alu.

The Subsoccer® game made in Mäkelä Alu’s brand colors is located at our sales office in Luoma-aho.

An idea born by chance

The developer of Subsoccer®, Jarno Saarinen, came up with the idea for the product by chance.

“I was on a summer holiday in Spain with my family, and the European Football Championship was taking place at the same time. I was watching a game between Russia and Spain on the balcony of the hotel when my daughter Emma wanted to play with me. We sat opposite each other on chairs and had a plastic ball that we kicked at each other. Emma kicked the ball under my chair and shouted SCORE,” says Jarno Saarinen, the man behind the Subsoccer® idea and the founder of 4 Feet Under, the company behind the brand.

“I also wanted to watch the game while I was playing with Emma, so we used wet towels and swimsuits to build sides around the chairs so that the ball wouldn’t roll away. We had a lot of fun and suddenly I realised that we had come up with a whole new game,” he continues.

The story of Subsoccer® began from that moment, and within a few years, the product gained immense popularity among the world’s most famous football stars, leagues, sports circles and brands.

Our surface treatment service AluCoating® enables powder painting of aluminum profiles in thousands of color options. (The picture shows the rules of the game in Finnish.)

From vision to production

The idea for Subsoccer® sat in a drawer for a few years before it was taken forward with the help of 4 Feet Under, a company founded in 2016.

“At first, we didn’t really know whether the product was intended for children or adults. We also had no plans for internationalisation. We started looking for Finnish manufacturers who could deliver parts for the assembly as a turnkey solution,” says Markus Toivanen, partner and Head of Product Development and Production at 4 Feet Under.

The product consists of aluminium profiles and an injection-moulded corner piece that bind the structure together.

“This was our first challenge: how to make the relatively soft plastic part and the aluminium profiles stick together. We had to find suitable experts that could work together to solve this problem. We wanted to find the best people for the project, because the product had to be of high quality and durable,” says Jarno Saarinen.

 

Turnkey delivery

The successful solution was developed in cooperation with Mäkelä Alu and North Karelian plastic product manufacturer Vesuto. In total, the product receives components from 11 Finnish suppliers.

“The design work together with Mäkelä Alu went well. We received plans for parts from 4 Feet Under. We had to improve the original plans to some extent to ensure the quality and usability of the parts,” says Veikko Viitanen from Vesuto.

“When designing the profiles, it was important to find the right dimensions to fit the plastic and aluminium parts, within their respective tolerances. Aluminium profiles can be extruded into all kinds of shapes, the possibilities are endless. Another option for an edge profile is a profile with LED lights,” Pasi Korhonen adds.

“We often cooperate with other suppliers as well. This highlights Mäkelä Alu’s service promise: we can provide various services to our customers on a turnkey basis, from an idea to a finished product. We can take care of the profile design, tool manufacturing, extrusion of aluminium profiles, surface treatments, the necessary machining on the profiles and, of course, the delivery,” says Sales Specialist Antti Lesonen from Mäkelä Alu.

“We deliver two different profiles for Subsoccer®. They are pre-sawn to the right dimensions and surface treated. What makes the product particularly interesting is when it is made with the colours of different brands and it is exciting to see where the product ends up,” he adds.

When designing the profiles, it was important to find the right dimensions to fit the plastic and aluminium parts.

 

Viral videos boosted success

The first Subsoccer® games were delivered to Superpark in Vantaa in 2019. This was just before the coronavirus pandemic. Shortly after, it became clear that the market in Finland would not be large enough.

“We had a product worth 2,500 euros that we wanted to sell to the world. In the second year of the coronavirus pandemic, we sold the product to more than 50 countries. Of course, in the beginning we had trouble getting notable references. Soon, however, football stars began to take an interest in the product, and soon our videos had millions of views on various social media channels,” says Saarinen.

Subsoccer® games for the world’s biggest brands such as Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Puma, Heineken and Ajax are currently on the production queue.

According to Saarinen, the Subsoccer® game’s popularity is based on a very simple thing: in addition to being fun, the game also looks fun on social media. There is often an increase in orders and contacts after social media posts gain high visibility.

“The videos that have gone viral have also caught the attention of sports media, and we have gained visibility in prime time even on Fox News. All thanks to social media,” says Saarinen.

 

International business from Finland

95 percent of the company’s revenue comes from exports. The product has not become a hit in Finland, at least not yet – this is likely due to the fact that Finland does not have a similar football culture as the big football countries abroad.

“Our first Finnish sports club partner is HIFK Football. Even though we have important partners around the world, everything is run from Finland. Of course, we also have warehouses and production lines abroad.”

“We have yet to conquer the consumer market. Our modest goal is to make our product the biggest table game of the century,” Saarinen concludes.

Artikkeli The aluminium profiles in the world’s most popular table football game are manufactured at Mäkelä Alu julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> The aluminium profiles in Gymrail’s innovation are manufactured by Mäkelä Alu https://makelaalu.fi/en/news/the-aluminium-profiles-in-gymrails-innovation-are-manufactured-by-makela-alu/ Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:51:21 +0000 https://makelaalu.fi/?p=9240 Gymrail’s Momentum X1 is a patented Finnish innovation for active cyclists where the athlete’s own bicycle is attached to an indoor cycling training platform, i.e. a rocker plate. The platform tilts from side to side, mimicking the natural movement of cycling in a real outdoor environment. The man behind the innovation, Harri Salmenautio, originally from Alajärvi, has taken his idea forward with long-term commitment. Salmenautio has been developing the idea since 2018. Momentum X1 entered the market in early 2022. The idea for Gymrail came from resistance bands, which are difficult to attach to anything in a home environment. “I wanted to start training with resistance bands. I started brainstorming ideas on the best way to attach them at home. I came up with the idea of an aluminium profile to which I could also attach other home training equipment. This resulted in a home fitness product with a variety of additional components, including chin-up bars and pull-downs. At some point I figured that I could also attach an exercise bike to it – or better yet, my own bike! However, I came to the conclusion that I shouldn’t just start selling a rail to the wall, instead, I should make my own product for indoor cycling,” says Salmenautio. Aluminium profiles from Mäkelä Alu The profiles used in the production of Momentum X1 are extruded at Mäkelä Alu. There are three different profiles. The use of aluminium profiles in manufacturing has made the production process more efficient and reduced production costs. “Of course, at the beginning we tested different prototypes, and the production quantities were so small that it wouldn’t have made sense to order a profile right away. Now, however, it is a very reasonable solution,” says Harri Salmenautio. Professional profile design Before the final design of the aluminium profiles, Salmenautio sent Mäkelä Alu a request for a quote that outlined most of the details concerning the shape of the profile. “With the help of our expert design team, we started to plan how we could best achieve the desired vision with extrusion. We refined the plans together with Harri, and finally the profiles were made. Two of the profiles were delivered to the customer without surface treatment and one profile with surface treatment,” says Olli Korkia-aho from Mäkelä Alu. The surface-treated profiles are finished in further processing. “We have been really excited about this product. We want to be involved in new innovations, as they also bring growth to our business once commercialised,” Korkia-aho continues. Local manufacture Gymrail’s products are made at a prototype workshop in Vimpeli, about six kilometres from Mäkelä Alu’s Luoma-aho factory. 80 per cent of Momentum X1’s parts are made by companies in Mäkelä Alu’s immediate vicinity or elsewhere in South Ostrobothnia. “We think it’s great that such an innovation has been developed in our region, and we want to favour local companies in its production,” says Olli Korkia-aho. “We are located close to the aluminium cluster of Luoma-aho and Vimpeli. From the very beginning, it was clear to us that the parts would be manufactured nearby and we would be able to scale production volumes quickly if necessary. By collaborating with the network, we are able to buy only what we need,” says Salmenautio. Working with partners in the nearby area also eliminates the need for the company to have its own warehouse, as it is able to order finished parts that only require final assembly. In this way, there is no need for stock that ties up the company’s capital. Vast potential Gymrail’s product has attracted considerable interest around the world. Indoor cycling and related digital sports technology have become very popular in recent years, and Gymrail’s international visibility has been aided by industry influencers and ambassadors consisting of competitive athletes. The product’s potential has also been recognised at Mäkelä Alu. Right from the start, Harri Salmenautio knew that Gymrail’s products would not be targeted to the Finnish market alone. The company has an online store that serves customers all over Europe. In addition, the company recently started selling its products on Amazon in Germany, which significantly facilitates sales outside of Europe. Amazon has warehouses on every continent. “We are feeling optimistic, and this is the first indoor training season when all of our distribution channels are up and running. Of course, success is never guaranteed, which is why long-term and continuous development work is necessary,” says Harri Salmenautio. Learn more about Momentum X1 on Gymrail’s website. Read more about Mäkelä Alu’s design service and aluminium profile design. Caption: Harri Salmenautio (on the left) and Production Manager Mikko Liikala, who has been with the company from the beginning.

Artikkeli The aluminium profiles in Gymrail’s innovation are manufactured by Mäkelä Alu julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> Gymrail’s Momentum X1 is a patented Finnish innovation for active cyclists where the athlete’s own bicycle is attached to an indoor cycling training platform, i.e. a rocker plate. The platform tilts from side to side, mimicking the natural movement of cycling in a real outdoor environment.

The man behind the innovation, Harri Salmenautio, originally from Alajärvi, has taken his idea forward with long-term commitment. Salmenautio has been developing the idea since 2018. Momentum X1 entered the market in early 2022.

The idea for Gymrail came from resistance bands, which are difficult to attach to anything in a home environment.

“I wanted to start training with resistance bands. I started brainstorming ideas on the best way to attach them at home. I came up with the idea of an aluminium profile to which I could also attach other home training equipment. This resulted in a home fitness product with a variety of additional components, including chin-up bars and pull-downs. At some point I figured that I could also attach an exercise bike to it – or better yet, my own bike! However, I came to the conclusion that I shouldn’t just start selling a rail to the wall, instead, I should make my own product for indoor cycling,” says Salmenautio.

MomentumX1 osa valmistetaan Mäkelä Alun alumiiniprofiilista
Previously, the middle part of the Momentum X1 front frame was made from a single piece of aluminium (on the left). This was laborious and making a single part was time-consuming. Manufacturing the frame from an aluminium profile (on the right) is significantly faster, easier, and cheaper, and one profile can be used to produce several parts. Also, there is no more material waste.

Aluminium profiles from Mäkelä Alu

The profiles used in the production of Momentum X1 are extruded at Mäkelä Alu. There are three different profiles. The use of aluminium profiles in manufacturing has made the production process more efficient and reduced production costs.

“Of course, at the beginning we tested different prototypes, and the production quantities were so small that it wouldn’t have made sense to order a profile right away. Now, however, it is a very reasonable solution,” says Harri Salmenautio.

MomentumX1 etukehyksiä joissa keltainen pintakäsittely
Gymrail’s front frames ready for assembly. The middle part made of aluminium can be seen in the middle of the product. The yellow Gymrail components with text are extruded and surface treated at Mäkelä Alu.

Professional profile design

Before the final design of the aluminium profiles, Salmenautio sent Mäkelä Alu a request for a quote that outlined most of the details concerning the shape of the profile.

“With the help of our expert design team, we started to plan how we could best achieve the desired vision with extrusion. We refined the plans together with Harri, and finally the profiles were made. Two of the profiles were delivered to the customer without surface treatment and one profile with surface treatment,” says Olli Korkia-aho from Mäkelä Alu.

The surface-treated profiles are finished in further processing.

“We have been really excited about this product. We want to be involved in new innovations, as they also bring growth to our business once commercialised,” Korkia-aho continues.

Jatkojalostettu pintakäsitelty alumiiniprofiili
Customers can also obtain ready-made pieces through Mäkelä Alu’s subcontractor network. The yellow parts of the Gymrail platform are extruded into an aluminium profile and surface treated by Mäkelä Alu and finished by Mäkelä Alu’s partner Tikli Group.

Local manufacture

Gymrail’s products are made at a prototype workshop in Vimpeli, about six kilometres from Mäkelä Alu’s Luoma-aho factory. 80 per cent of Momentum X1’s parts are made by companies in Mäkelä Alu’s immediate vicinity or elsewhere in South Ostrobothnia.

“We think it’s great that such an innovation has been developed in our region, and we want to favour local companies in its production,” says Olli Korkia-aho.

“We are located close to the aluminium cluster of Luoma-aho and Vimpeli. From the very beginning, it was clear to us that the parts would be manufactured nearby and we would be able to scale production volumes quickly if necessary. By collaborating with the network, we are able to buy only what we need,” says Salmenautio.

Working with partners in the nearby area also eliminates the need for the company to have its own warehouse, as it is able to order finished parts that only require final assembly. In this way, there is no need for stock that ties up the company’s capital.

The Gymrail profile is extruded and surface treated at Mäkelä Alu.

Vast potential

Gymrail’s product has attracted considerable interest around the world. Indoor cycling and related digital sports technology have become very popular in recent years, and Gymrail’s international visibility has been aided by industry influencers and ambassadors consisting of competitive athletes.

The product’s potential has also been recognised at Mäkelä Alu. Right from the start, Harri Salmenautio knew that Gymrail’s products would not be targeted to the Finnish market alone. The company has an online store that serves customers all over Europe. In addition, the company recently started selling its products on Amazon in Germany, which significantly facilitates sales outside of Europe. Amazon has warehouses on every continent.

“We are feeling optimistic, and this is the first indoor training season when all of our distribution channels are up and running. Of course, success is never guaranteed, which is why long-term and continuous development work is necessary,” says Harri Salmenautio.

Learn more about Momentum X1 on Gymrail’s website. Read more about Mäkelä Alu’s design service and aluminium profile design.

Caption: Harri Salmenautio (on the left) and Production Manager Mikko Liikala, who has been with the company from the beginning.

Artikkeli The aluminium profiles in Gymrail’s innovation are manufactured by Mäkelä Alu julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> Long traditions in the export market – aluminium profiles from us to the world https://makelaalu.fi/en/news/long-traditions-in-the-export-market-aluminium-profiles-from-us-to-the-world/ Thu, 01 Dec 2022 11:44:03 +0000 https://makelaalu.fi/?p=9238 The history of Mäkelä Alu stretches back 85 years. We have manufactured aluminium profiles for about 30 years, and we have equally long experience with the export trade. When Mäkelä Alu launched its extrusion plant operations, the recession of the early 1990s had just hit the country. It was difficult to find business in Finland, so we had to invest in the export market. “Our first extrusion line had just been completed when the recession began. We had to take our business to the world, and our first target country was Germany. Luckily, our sales representative found our first export customers in Germany. Today, exports account for 35 per cent of our total production,” says Mäkelä Alu’s Export Manager Janne Lager. Gaining access to the export market was paramount at the time, and later the Finnish and Scandinavian markets also began to grow. Mäkelä Alu’s Swedish subsidiary Mäkelä Alu AB was founded in 2012 to better serve the Swedish market and customers. Mäkelä Alu exports aluminium profiles to 12 countries, but the main market is the Baltic Sea region; specifically Germany, Denmark, and the Baltics.   Success in exporting speaks volumes Competition on the export market is much tougher than on the domestic market. Success in exporting can thus be considered a significant measure of success. “In addition to aluminium profile production, Mäkelä Alu stands out with its range of services, i.e. the AluServices concept, which allows us to offer added value to the customer. We are not the cheapest, and our method of operation stands out from other aluminium extrusion plants in Europe and perhaps the whole world,” says Janne Lager. Our AluCoating® surface treatment service and AluStorage® and AluCallOff® warehousing services increase the cost efficiency of our customers’ production. “Moving forward and continuous investment are prerequisites for success. When our aluminium extrusion plant started operations in the early 1990s, we only had one extrusion line and we only made aluminium profiles. Now we have three extrusion lines, as well as an anodizing plant, warehouses, and powder coating plants in Luoma-aho and Voikkaa. It has taken years of strategic development to get to this point,” says Janne Lager. 115 years of experience with exports “Our strength in exports lies in our long-term customer relationships, some of which go all the way back to the 1990s. We are a trusted partner known for our reliability of delivery and continuous development. Since the 1990s, we have grown from a small company of 24 people to a large company employing almost 300 people. We have always maintained high service quality and flexibility,” says Leena Kalliokoski. “Our customers appreciate our quick response times. We always do what we have promised,” continues Anne Hämeenniemi. Mäkelä Alu’s export unit consists of export manager Janne Lager, export sales specialists Anne Hämeenniemi and Leena Kalliokoski, and sales coordinators Satu Lassila and Elina Luoma-aho. All of them have worked at Mäkelä for several years, Leena for more than 30 years. Area sales managers Anders Bengtsson and Kari Saarelainen are responsible for sales in the Swedish market. The entire export unit has 115 years of combined work experience. “Mäkelä Alu is a good and reliable employer. The work is interesting and varied,” says Leena Kalliokoski. The entire export unit is happy with the work team and their co-workers. Low employee turnover also benefits the customers. “Customer relationships and contacts are managed successfully, and we know the customers and the market very well.”   A carbon-neutral partner for the future Export is still used to accelerate growth, and future prospects are favourable, despite the uncertain global situation. In difficult times, it is important to have reliable partners. “Here at Europe’s northernmost extrusion plant, we manufacture aluminium profiles in a customer-oriented and environmentally friendly manner. We have just launched a development project of more than 10 million euros towards carbon neutrality. This will be an increasingly important competitive advantage in the manufacture of various products on all markets,” says Janne Lager. “We are a trustworthy operator, Finland has good security of supply, and that’s why we are a reliable partner to our customers. At Mäkelä Alu, raw material deliveries are based on long partnerships, and our delivery reliability is higher compared to many other European competitors,” says Leena Kalliokoski. In the main photo of the article, Mäkelä Alu AB’s area sales managers Anders Bengtsson (on the left) and Kari Saarelainen. In the middle, Mäkelä Alu’s export sales specialist Anne Hämeenniemi and sales coordinator Satu Lassila.

Artikkeli Long traditions in the export market – aluminium profiles from us to the world julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> The history of Mäkelä Alu stretches back 85 years. We have manufactured aluminium profiles for about 30 years, and we have equally long experience with the export trade.

When Mäkelä Alu launched its extrusion plant operations, the recession of the early 1990s had just hit the country. It was difficult to find business in Finland, so we had to invest in the export market.

“Our first extrusion line had just been completed when the recession began. We had to take our business to the world, and our first target country was Germany. Luckily, our sales representative found our first export customers in Germany. Today, exports account for 35 per cent of our total production,” says Mäkelä Alu’s Export Manager Janne Lager.

Gaining access to the export market was paramount at the time, and later the Finnish and Scandinavian markets also began to grow. Mäkelä Alu’s Swedish subsidiary Mäkelä Alu AB was founded in 2012 to better serve the Swedish market and customers.

Mäkelä Alu exports aluminium profiles to 12 countries, but the main market is the Baltic Sea region; specifically Germany, Denmark, and the Baltics.

 

Success in exporting speaks volumes

Competition on the export market is much tougher than on the domestic market. Success in exporting can thus be considered a significant measure of success.

“In addition to aluminium profile production, Mäkelä Alu stands out with its range of services, i.e. the AluServices concept, which allows us to offer added value to the customer. We are not the cheapest, and our method of operation stands out from other aluminium extrusion plants in Europe and perhaps the whole world,” says Janne Lager.

Our AluCoating® surface treatment service and AluStorage® and AluCallOff® warehousing services increase the cost efficiency of our customers’ production.

“Moving forward and continuous investment are prerequisites for success. When our aluminium extrusion plant started operations in the early 1990s, we only had one extrusion line and we only made aluminium profiles. Now we have three extrusion lines, as well as an anodizing plant, warehouses, and powder coating plants in Luoma-aho and Voikkaa. It has taken years of strategic development to get to this point,” says Janne Lager.

In the picture from left Elina Luoma-aho, Leena Kalliokoski, Janne Lager and Anne Hämeenniemi.

115 years of experience with exports

“Our strength in exports lies in our long-term customer relationships, some of which go all the way back to the 1990s. We are a trusted partner known for our reliability of delivery and continuous development. Since the 1990s, we have grown from a small company of 24 people to a large company employing almost 300 people. We have always maintained high service quality and flexibility,” says Leena Kalliokoski.

“Our customers appreciate our quick response times. We always do what we have promised,” continues Anne Hämeenniemi.

Mäkelä Alu’s export unit consists of export manager Janne Lager, export sales specialists Anne Hämeenniemi and Leena Kalliokoski, and sales coordinators Satu Lassila and Elina Luoma-aho. All of them have worked at Mäkelä for several years, Leena for more than 30 years. Area sales managers Anders Bengtsson and Kari Saarelainen are responsible for sales in the Swedish market. The entire export unit has 115 years of combined work experience.

“Mäkelä Alu is a good and reliable employer. The work is interesting and varied,” says Leena Kalliokoski.

The entire export unit is happy with the work team and their co-workers. Low employee turnover also benefits the customers.

“Customer relationships and contacts are managed successfully, and we know the customers and the market very well.”

 

A carbon-neutral partner for the future

Export is still used to accelerate growth, and future prospects are favourable, despite the uncertain global situation. In difficult times, it is important to have reliable partners.

“Here at Europe’s northernmost extrusion plant, we manufacture aluminium profiles in a customer-oriented and environmentally friendly manner. We have just launched a development project of more than 10 million euros towards carbon neutrality. This will be an increasingly important competitive advantage in the manufacture of various products on all markets,” says Janne Lager.

“We are a trustworthy operator, Finland has good security of supply, and that’s why we are a reliable partner to our customers. At Mäkelä Alu, raw material deliveries are based on long partnerships, and our delivery reliability is higher compared to many other European competitors,” says Leena Kalliokoski.

In the main photo of the article, Mäkelä Alu AB’s area sales managers Anders Bengtsson (on the left) and Kari Saarelainen. In the middle, Mäkelä Alu’s export sales specialist Anne Hämeenniemi and sales coordinator Satu Lassila.

Artikkeli Long traditions in the export market – aluminium profiles from us to the world julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> Mäkelä Alu’s aluminium profile is an environmentally friendly choice https://makelaalu.fi/en/news/makela-alus-aluminium-profile-is-an-environmentally-friendly-choice/ Fri, 24 Sep 2021 09:49:27 +0000 https://www.makelaalu.fi/?p=5640 Artikkeli Mäkelä Alu’s aluminium profile is an environmentally friendly choice julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> The carbon handprint will become an important factor in purchasing decisions in the coming years. Emissions comparisons show that by choosing Mäkelä Alu, you can significantly improve the environmental friendliness of your company’s operations.

Mäkelä Alu has noticed a clear change in what drives customers’ choices. Customers are no longer interested only in the price of the product, but also in the emissions generated by its production. This trend started a few years ago and only seems to be gaining further momentum.

“In the past, customers may have wanted to ensure that the aluminium we use is primary aluminium and that it doesn’t contain any recycled material. Now many look for the lowest possible primary content or want their aluminium profiles to be made from recycled aluminium produced in our foundry,” says Mäkelä Alu’s EHSQ Manager Päivi Venesoja.

Mäkelä Alu has invested in monitoring and reducing emissions for years, long before environmental issues and carbon dioxide emissions became hot topics. A few years ago, Mäkelä Alu prepared a detailed report of its emissions, and an article was recently published on the report.

Over the last ten years, the company’s production emissions have been reduced by more than half, while production volumes have increased.

“So, investing in environmental friendliness is not new to us, but we are only now starting to talk about it. We are proud to offer our customers aluminium profiles that are among the purest in the world and that have been produced responsibly by any measure,” says Petri Mäkelä, Chairman of the Board.

 

The carbon handprint reveals the environmental impact of your choices 

What is new even to Mäkelä Alu, however, is a concept that companies are just learning to use, and that is the carbon handprint.

The concept provides a new way of approaching product and operational emissions and the environmental impact of our choices. It is directly linked to the carbon footprint.

  • The carbon footprint tells you the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by a product or activity.
  • The carbon handprint tells you how much a company’s solution reduces the carbon footprint of another company, i.e., the customer. In other words, it tells you the positive climate impact of a product compared to other products.

“The carbon handprint is calculated for the customer. The smaller the company’s carbon footprint, the larger the carbon handprint it can offer its customers,” says Venesoja.

Companies can start to examine the environmental friendliness of their operations by asking for their raw material supplier’s emissions information and comparing them with other suppliers’ figures. In this way, companies can directly calculate how their choice of supplier affects the environmental impact and carbon footprint of their operations.

 

The carbon handprint provided by Mäkelä Alu

When comparing the emissions from Mäkelä Alu’s aluminium production with global and European averages, we are talking about large figures and significant differences in environmental impact.  

The carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) describes the climate impact of human-produced greenhouse gases. The measurement unit used (tn CO2e/t) illustrates how many carbon dioxide equivalent tonnes are produced when a thousand kilogrammes of product are manufactured.

 

Emissions from Mäkelä Alu’s raw material production / averages (tn CO2e /t) 

  • Mäkelä Alu’s own recycled aluminium 1.01 / all aluminium used in the world (recycled and primary) average 15.6 > carbon handprint 14.59
  • Mäkelä Alu’s own recycled aluminium 1.01 / all aluminium used in Europe 8.7 > carbon handprint 7.69
  • Primary aluminium purchased by Mäkelä Alu 6.36 / global average 15.6 > carbon handprint 9.24
  • Primary aluminium used by Mäkelä Alu 6.36 / all aluminium used in Europe 8.7 > carbon handprint 2.34

In addition to raw material, the carbon handprint can also be calculated for transport and profile production, among other things. Mäkelä Alu has calculated the emissions resulting from all these processes. For example, a comparison with the European average of aluminium profile production emissions shows that

  • the figure in Europe (0.68) is more than seven times higher compared to Mäkelä Alu’s aluminium profile production (0.094). The carbon handprint of our extrusion process is as much as 0.586 tn CO2e per tonne of aluminium produced.

 

Your choice of partner can have a big impact on climate change

The figures show that the choice of aluminium profile manufacturer can have a great impact on the climate and the environment. By choosing Mäkelä Alu’s aluminium profiles, the customer makes a choice that is better for the environment.

It is good to be aware of these things and think about whether a company that uses aluminium produced in Asia, for example, can claim to be operating in an environmentally friendly way.

“The differences are so great that it’s hard to grasp. Even though this works in our favour, this is not a good situation, it’s alarming,” says Petri Mäkelä.

“Operators around the world still tend to build their primary aluminium production plants directly over the energy source. Production facilities are literally built on top of a coal or natural gas deposit. This provides the energy needed for the production and processing of aluminium,” says Mäkelä.

 

The carbon handprint will become a key factor in purchasing decisions

So, what exactly has awoken businesses in recent years?

“Obviously, facts that cannot be ignored,” says Venesoja.

“One change is probably that the generation that has grown up with the realities of climate change is now starting to be in charge of purchases in companies. The criteria for selecting raw material suppliers will change along with them. A cheap price will no longer be prioritised over responsibility issues in procurement,” says Mäkelä.

Mäkelä believes that in just a few years, the carbon handprint will be an important factor when making purchasing decisions.

As customers pay more and more attention to emissions, the market will become less favourable for cheap aluminium produced in Asia, for example.

 

Where does Mäkelä Alu’s large carbon handprint come from?

One big factor, of course, is our raw material, which comes from our responsible, long-term partners. The primary aluminium we purchase is mainly produced with hydropower.

Our own foundry also plays an important role. The recycled aluminium produced at the foundry is approved for the manufacture of products bearing the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.

Mäkelä Alu’s production plants have used green energy for years. In addition, the company is constantly developing new solutions to improve energy efficiency and the use of waste energy. Mäkelä Alu is also working to eliminate the use of LPG in the near future.

“We have planned various measures for different sectors to further reduce our emissions in the coming years,” says Venesoja.

Mäkelä Alu has set a target to make its production carbon-neutral by 2025.

All necessary measures must be taken to reduce the burden on the planet. For this reason, Mäkelä Alu constantly strives to further improve its carbon handprint.

Artikkeli Mäkelä Alu’s aluminium profile is an environmentally friendly choice julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> Terrassenwandel GmbH appreciates the AluStorage® service https://makelaalu.fi/en/news/terrassenwandel-gmbh-appreciates-the-alustorage-service/ Fri, 27 Nov 2020 11:19:43 +0000 https://www.makelaalu.fi/?p=4886 Artikkeli Terrassenwandel GmbH appreciates the AluStorage® service julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

]]> Terrassenwandel GmbH’s production facilities are located in Vechta, Germany, but a large proportion of the company’s aluminium profiles are stored about 2,000 kilometres away in Alajärvi, Finland.
Seems complicated, right? However, it’s actually pretty simple.

Terrassenwandel GmbH uses Mäkelä Alu’s powder-coated profiles in their products and stores them using Mäkelä Alu’s AluStorage® service. This means that Mäkelä Alu’s stock always has an agreed amount of aluminium profiles ready, which are powder-coated and delivered to the customer exactly when they need them.

AluStorage® is a practical solution regardless of whether the customer is located in a neighbouring city or on the other side of Europe.

The profiles travel from Alajärvi to Vechta in approximately four days.

Makelä Alu offers high-quality aluminium solutions for terrace and carport roofing

Terrassenwandel GmbH manufactures high-quality terrace roofs and carports in Vechta, Lower Saxony, on a modern and fully automated production line. The company’s products are only delivered to specialist retailers. Terrassenwandel GmbH currently operates exclusively in Germany, but is looking for partners in neighbouring countries.

The market has developed favourably, so the demand for aluminium profiles is likely to increase in the future.

– Flexible purchase volumes, fast communication in German, short delivery times and quick response to problem situations have reinforced our confidence in Mäkelä Alu, says Sales Manager Hotan Haghiran.

The automated monitoring system of Mäkelä Alu’s AluStorage® service helps maintain the agreed stock levels

Terrassenwandel GmbH’s aluminium profiles are stored in Mäkelä Alu’s warehouse with Mäkelä Alu’s AluStorage® service. Profile storage and replenishment is carried out automatically. The quantities of stored profiles are agreed together with the customer.

Mäkelä Alu ensures that customers always have the right number of profiles in stock. Mäkelä Alu uses an automated monitoring system, which ensures that stock levels are always up-to-date. The customer’s only task is to place the order, and the profiles will be delivered within the agreed time.

Terrassenwandel GmbH’s delivery times are shortened by the fact that the profiles are ready and already in stock. The profiles are powder-coated on a relatively fast schedule as the customer places the order. In this way, purchase volumes can be adjusted to market demand at short notice.

Thanks to the AluStorage® service, the customer does not need to invest in a large warehouse

– The advantage of the AluStorage® service is that the customer does not have to invest money in a large warehouse, says Mäkelä Alu’s Export Sales Specialist Leena Kalliokoski.

Leena is keen to remind customers how important it is that the agreed stock levels meet the market demand. Stock levels are easy to change, but the delivery of additional profiles may not be possible on a fast schedule. Of course, depending on capacity, this is sometimes possible.

Mäkelä Alu’s communication and attitude receive praise

– We have been very pleased with Mäkelä Alu’s clear communication and approach from the beginning. We already know each other so well that the cooperation is now even better and runs smoothly without additional checks, says Hotan Haghiran.

– No manufacturer can guarantee 100% quality. But whenever a problem has come up, we have received help quickly and flexibly.

There is always room for improvement.

– We believe that Mäkelä Alu will continue to develop, deliveries and products will improve, and possible complaints will be handled fairly, so we can recommend Mäkelä Alu with a clear conscience, he says.

Please note that our service is also available in English.

Watch the video to see how the AluStorage® service works
 

Artikkeli Terrassenwandel GmbH appreciates the AluStorage® service julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

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