Lokakuussa Düsseldorfiin

ALUMINIUM kokoaa alumiiniteollisuuden toimijoita Düsseldorfiin 6.–8.10.2026. Mäkelä Alun löydät messuilta osastolta 1D46.

Messuilla voit keskustella vientiosastomme kanssa muun muassa alumiiniprofiilien suunnittelusta ja valmistuksesta, pintakäsittelystä, jatkojalostuksesta sekä varastointi- ja logistiikkaratkaisuista. Esillä ovat myös AluPlanet®-tuoteperhe sekä vastuullisuustyömme ja tuotantomme energiatehokkuus.

Marraskuussa Elmia Subcontractoriin

Marraskuussa suuntaamme Jönköpingiin Elmia Subcontractor -messuille, jotka järjestetään 10.–12.11.2026. Mäkelä Alun osasto on B07:65.

Elmia Subcontractor on meille tuttu kohtaamispaikka, jossa tapaamme asiakkaita ja muita teollisuuden toimijoita erityisesti Pohjoismaista. Myös Jönköpingissä esittelemme Mäkelä Alun palvelukokonaisuutta alumiiniprofiilien valmistuksesta pintakäsittelyihin, varastointiin ja logistiikkaan sekä yhteistyöverkostomme kautta toteutettaviin jatkojalostuspalveluihin.

Tavataan syksyn messuilla

Jos olet tulossa ALUMINIUMiin tai Elmia Subcontractoriin, tule tapaamaan meitä osastollemme. Voimme keskustella ajankohtaisista projekteista, tulevista tarpeista ja siitä, miten voimme auttaa juuri sinun yritystäsi.

Artikkeli Mäkelä Alu mukana syksyn kansainvälisillä messuilla julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

Industrial professionals will come together at ALUMINIUM in Düsseldorf from 6 to 8 October 2026. As always, we will be there with our own stand. You will find us at stand 1D46. Meet our sales team, catch up with us and learn more about our services.

More from one partner

We provide our customers with comprehensive solutions ranging from aluminium profile manufacturing and surface treatment to warehousing and logistics. Through our extensive partner network, we also offer further processing services such as machining and assembly.

With our sales team, you can discuss topics such as:

• aluminium profile development and manufacturing at Mäkelä Alu
• surface treatments for aluminium profiles: anodising, powder coating and Decoral coating
• the AluPlanet® product family
• our popular AluStorage® and AluCallOff® warehousing services for aluminium profiles
• AluBasket®, our solution for transporting, handling and storing aluminium profiles
• our sustainability work and the energy efficiency of our production

Bring your idea or project with you

Whether you are starting a new project or looking for a long-term partner, come and talk to us. Next year, Mäkelä Alu will celebrate its 90th anniversary. Visit us at ALUMINIUM Düsseldorf. We look forward to welcoming you to our stand!

Artikkeli Mäkelä Alu at ALUMINIUM 2026 julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

Industrial professionals will come together at Elmia Subcontractor in Jönköping on 10–12 November 2026. As always, we will be there with our own stand. You will find us at B07:65. Meet our sales team, catch up with us and discuss how our services could support your business.

More from one partner

We provide our customers with comprehensive solutions ranging from aluminium profile manufacturing and surface treatment to warehousing and logistics. Through our extensive partner network, we also offer further processing services such as machining and assembly.

With our sales team, you can discuss topics such as:

• aluminium profile development and manufacturing at Mäkelä Alu
• surface treatments for aluminium profiles: anodising, powder coating and Decoral coating
• the AluPlanet® product family
• our popular AluStorage® and AluCallOff® warehousing services for aluminium profiles
• AluBasket®, our solution for transporting, handling and storing aluminium profiles
• our sustainability work and the energy efficiency of our production

Bring your idea or project with you

Whether you are starting a new project or looking for a long-term partner, come and talk to us. Next year, Mäkelä Alu will celebrate its 90th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, we have renewed our exhibition stand. Come and see our new stand – see you at Elmia Subcontractor!

Artikkeli Mäkelä Alu at Elmia Subcontractor julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

Industrial professionals will come together at the Alihankinta Subcontracting Trade Fair in Tampere on 29 September – 1 October 2026. As always, we will be there with our own stand, A918. Meet our Finnish sales team, catch up with us and discuss how our services could support your business.

More from one partner

We provide our customers with comprehensive solutions ranging from aluminium profile manufacturing and surface treatment to warehousing and logistics. Through our extensive partner network, we also offer further processing services such as machining and assembly.

With our sales team, you can discuss topics such as:

• aluminium profile design and manufacturing at Mäkelä
• surface treatments for aluminium profiles: anodising, powder coating and Decoral coating
• the AluPlanet® product family
• our popular AluStorage® and AluCallOff® warehousing services for aluminium profiles
• AluBasket®, our solution for transporting, handling and storing aluminium profiles
• our sustainability work and the energy efficiency of our production

Bring your idea or project with you

Whether you are starting a new project or looking for a long-term partner, come and talk to us. Next year, Mäkelä Alu will celebrate its 90th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, we have renewed the look of our exhibition stand. Come and see our refreshed stand – see you at Alihankinta!

Artikkeli Mäkelä Alu at Alihankinta 2026 julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

– At Mäkelä Alu, raw material procurement is based on long-term cooperation and reliable partnerships. We use Nordic raw material and operate within supply chains where proximity, transparency and continuity of cooperation play a key role. Long-term agreements also support the availability of raw material in situations like these, where uncertainty exists in the market, says Purchasing Director Ari Kytölä.

Supply chains located close to our operations are not only important from the perspective of delivery reliability, but they also support more responsible operations. When supply chains are well managed and partners are well known, it is possible to ensure consistent quality, good predictability and responsible operations throughout the entire chain.

– For our customers, this means above all continuity and reliability. At the same time, we are able to react more flexibly to changing situations. In a constantly changing global situation, good delivery reliability is built on trustworthy and responsible supply chains as well as well-functioning partnerships. We want to offer our customers confidence that cooperation with Mäkelä Alu will remain reliable and smooth both now and in the future, Ari Kytölä continues.

Artikkeli Origin and availability of raw material at Mäkelä Alu julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

When Soile started, the Mäkelänmäki site included only an office, a foundry and the horizontal paint shop. The extrusion press was still located in an old building on the other side of Vimpelintie road. The old building was not unfamiliar to Soile even as a child, as her father worked there as a sheet metal worker at Mäkelän Peltituote, the company’s former name before aluminium extrusion operations began.

– As a little girl, I often ran off to the factory to see my father. He would then take me home on his moped. My own sons were sometimes with me at the factory when they were small. Of course, that would not be possible anymore today, she laughs.

– I always remember when my eldest son saw the vertical paint line for the first time. With the wisdom of a six-year-old, he asked what kind of amusement ride it was. We had just visited PowerPark (amusement park), she adds.

At the time, there was no dedicated logistics department, but Soile was already involved in logistics planning in the horizontal paint shop and worked closely with the production manager. Trucks were loaded through a lifting door next to the break room, as loading docks did not yet exist. When the vertical paint shop was completed, Soile moved there.

– I worked in the vertical line for about ten years. I was involved in supervisory tasks and production planning. In 2020, production planning was transferred to the teams, and this brought a major change to my own role as well.

From production to office work

Soile moved to the order-to-delivery department in the office. Although the company was familiar, the change was significant.

– I had worked for 22 years wearing a high-visibility jacket and safety shoes. I had to step out of my comfort zone. I had to learn a completely new role, even though some of the things were familiar. I wondered for a long time whether I would manage and adapt.

The transition coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought its own challenges. However, her strong background and experience from the paint shops helped her adapt, and her connection with production remained strong.

– What I feared turned out to be unnecessary. I did not have to leave my expertise behind, but instead I have been able to make use of it. I still work closely with surface treatment, Soile says.

A reliable employer

Soile’s current role is balancing the order-to-delivery process. She works across multiple interfaces, including sales, logistics, order processing and production. She plans and manages capacity and monitors delivery flows and deviations. She considers Mäkelä Alu a good employer.

– Mäkelä Alu is a caring and reliable employer. The feeling that my work is appreciated is important to me. Otherwise, I would not have stayed this long. Looking back, the latest change was a good one for me. After such a long career, it has been great not to do the same job all these years but to have opportunities to grow, she reflects.

– I have great respect and appreciation for my employer. I do not know if it comes from seeing since childhood how everything started and how it has grown to this scale. I approach my work as if I were doing it for myself, Soile concludes.

Summers at the baseball field

In her free time, Soile finds balance through exercise. She attends group fitness classes, sound bowl relaxation sessions and is planning to return to yoga after a long break.

– In winter, you can find me at the ice rink in the stands, and in summer at the Finnish baseball field. For several years, I have volunteered for the top team of Alajärven Ankkurit, nowadays in the VIP area.

Artikkeli Employee story: From production to the office julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

– 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 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.

– We have chosen to go beyond what is required in our reporting. For us, reporting is not just an obligation, but a tool for identifying areas for development and measuring our progress, says CEO Marko Orpana.

Concrete actions to reduce emissions

The report brings together Mäkelä Alu’s key sustainability actions and results. We have significantly reduced our carbon dioxide emissions over the long term and continued to invest in energy efficiency, electrification of production and renewable energy over the years.

– Our climate work is primarily based on reducing our own emissions. We continuously develop our production to be more energy efficient and utilise solutions that help us reduce emissions across the entire value chain. In addition, we improve material efficiency as part of the overall approach, says Sustainability Director Päivi Venesoja.

People at the centre

Personnel play a key role in our sustainability work. We invest in wellbeing at work, safety and competence development.

– A skilled and motivated workforce is the foundation of our operations. We have developed, for example, supervisory work and invested in wellbeing at work, which is reflected in improved employee satisfaction results, says HR Manager Jenni Hautakangas.

Read the sustainability report

The 2025 sustainability report has been prepared in line with the VSME reporting framework and, where applicable, key ESRS requirements.

A summary version of the report has also been published, providing the key content in an easy-to-read format.

Read the summary
Download the full report

Artikkeli Sustainability report 2025 published julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

Photo: Tuukka Kiviranta

Artikkeli Päivi Venesoja appointed as sustainability manager julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.

– The plant performs well even in early spring when days are bright and cold. The panels are bifacial and also capture light reflected from snow. The best efficiency is achieved in April and May when daylight increases and the air remains cool, preventing the panels from overheating, says Ismo Pitkänen, Managing Director of Pitkäsen Sähköasennus Oy.

Made from our own profiles

The solar power plant was purchased as a turnkey delivery from Pitkäsen Sähköasennus Oy. The subcontractor for the project was Wisol Oy, a company specialised in building solar parks and also a customer of Mäkelä Alu.

– The project was special because solar parks are typically built from steel. We wanted to do things differently and built the support structures entirely from aluminium profiles extruded in our own factory, says Reijo Seppälä, Project Manager responsible for the project at Mäkelä Alu.

The structures were designed based on official strength calculations by an engineering consultancy. The profile design was carried out by our own profile designer Joni Malinen in close cooperation with Wisol, who also handled the mechanical and layout planning of the plant.

– Wisol was also responsible for the on-site installation thanks to their strong expertise in solar field construction, says Ismo Pitkänen.

– The cooperation with both Ismo Pitkänen and Mäkelä Alu was extremely solution-focused. Together we found the right ways to utilise aluminium in the mounting system, says Arto Kurtti, Commercial Director at Wisol Oy.

Supporting energy self-sufficiency

The plant consists of 1488 solar panels and has a maximum output of 952 kWp.

– The plant produces approximately the annual electricity consumption of fifty electrically heated detached houses, says Ismo Pitkänen.

The electricity consumption of Mäkelä Alu’s factory area is still considerably higher.

– The plant naturally does not cover our full consumption, but it is a good step towards improved energy self-sufficiency. Locally generated electricity also supports our green electricity sourcing strategy, says Reijo Seppälä.

The plant is located in a field area behind the extrusion plant and the anodising plant. The same area also contains an energy storage unit that Mäkelä Alu uses on the national reserve market.

– By participating in the reserve market, Mäkelä Alu supports grid balancing and the use of green energy. The energy storage unit acts as a flexibility element when weather-dependent production fluctuates, says Tomi Pilbacka, Development Director at Mäkelä Alu.

Part of the RRF project

The solar power plant is part of Mäkelä Alu’s RRF project. RRF (Recovery and Resilience Facility) is EU funding under the NextGenerationEU programme, granted for green transition projects. In Finland the funding is provided by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (TEM). Mäkelä Alu’s project began in 2022 and received RRF energy investment support covering 27 percent of the total investment.

DID YOU KNOW?

Mäkelä Alu’s factory area consumes as much electricity annually as a small municipality. The consumption equals that of around 1000 electrically heated detached houses. All the electricity we purchase is emission-free.

Artikkeli Our own solar power plant is built from aluminium profiles julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Mäkelä Alu Oy.