Ships are still to be built in Finland and sub contractor network is running with almost the full power even if the pandemic has hit hard to many industry fields. Tekniikka & Talous interviewed our CEO Kari Härkönen amongst the COO of Rauma Marine Construction (Ville Laaksonen) and Senior Researcher Tapio Karvonen from University of Turku. Read the whole article here (in Finnish).
COO of Rauma Marine Construction Ville Laaksonen
in Tekniikka & Talous
YardMate’s member Finno Exergy Oy has won the main prize of 100 000 € in The New Energy Challenge competition organized by Shell. YardMate is a consortium providing sub-contractors, resources and innovations for the industry. YardMate’s main fields of operation are the marine and aviation industry, however their products do serve other industry fields as well. Together with Finno Exergy YardMate is creating a new wave of cost-efficient and energy-saving environmental engine solutions for ships and aeroplanes.
Tekniikka & Talous (in Finnish): Öljyjätti Shell palkitsi suomalaisyrityksen keksinnön
Read the original article: Winners New Energy Challenge 2020 announced
See video about -20% fuel consumption and CO2 emission: Finno Exergy’s video
Suomeksi | In Finnish:
YardMaten jäsenyritys Finno Exergy Oy voitti arvostetun kansainvälisen energiainnovaationkilpailun The New Energy Challengen, jonka pääjärjestäjänä toimii Shell. Pääpalkintona oli 100 000 €. YardMate on konsortio, joka tuottaa teollisuuteen alihankkijoita, resursseja ja uusia innovaatioita. YardMaten päätoimialat ovat meriteollisuus ja ilmailu, mutta sen tuotteet ja alihankkijat palvelevat myös perinteistä teollisuutta. Yhdessä Finno Exergyn kanssa YardMate on luomassa täysin uutta linjaa meriteollisuuden ja ilmailualan energiatehokkaisiin ympäristöä säästäviin moottoriratkaisuihin.
Meet Ralf Sohlström from our member company Aurajoki Oy
Who are you?
My name is Ralf Sohlström and I am working as Business Director at Aurajoki Oy responsible for the operations of our Turku factory.
What is your company specialized in?
Aurajoki can supply you with the most versatile and comprehensive range of surface treatments of metals as the leading operator in the field in Finland. Our services cover, among others, hot-dip galvanizing, electroplating, anodising and powder painting. We can provide your products with the best possible protection against corrosion as well as a stylish, mechanically and chemically resistant surface to anything you need.
We have 6 factories in Finland, and our Turku factory is specialised in electrolytic coatings and powder painting which are done under the same roof. We provide over 50 different types of electrolytic coatings. Our powder painting line is 170 m long and can handle products up to 6,5 m long.
Tell us about your clients and other key shareholders or partners?
We have a wide range of different kind of customers manufacturing metal products in Finland and abroad. Aurajoki is a trusted partner in shipbuilding coating solutions and has a long history of supplying powder painting and coatings to ship building industry.
What services or products do you offer to other YardMate members?
Aurajoki can help in achieving the most cost competitive total solution with optimal lifetime. To other YardMate members we have mainly supplied powder painting and anodising of aluminium constructions, including cruise vessel balconies. We have provided surface treatments in our customer’s and co-subcontractor’s specific need for ship decoration as well. Aurajoki has also delivered hot-dip galvanizing for piping systems on board and for steel structures, handrails, staircases etc. With the help of Aurajoki ship-owners and shipyards can plan and design structures, surfaces and components with the best possible coating solution.
Aurajoki is always looking for new innovations to help our customers get the best surface treatment for their products. For instance, the current situation has given us a chance to protect the end users as well as we now provide a new sort of powder painting. It has top finish that is antibacterial and inhibits the growth of bacteria on the painted surface, including COVID-19.
What are your expectations for YardMate?
From YardMate we expect new contacts and inquiries from metal construction manufacturers for the shipbuilding industry by networking with the other YardMate members.
What are your future needs regarding personnel?
Our need of personnel will increase in the future as the demand from shipyards is increasing. Our aim is to grow our position in the field as a operator that provides more sustainable solutions of surface treatment without wearing out the environment.
What are your future needs regarding sub-contractors and partners?
Hopefully we can through YardMate find partners for joint product development and offerings.
Anything else you wish to say to us?
When it comes to coating in marine environment Aurajoki is your partner in the most sustainable and visually appealing coating solutions.
Meet Jukka-Pekka Joutsen from our member company Kotopro
Who are you?
I am Jukka-Pekka Joutsen Sales Manger in Kotopro Oy. I have worked now in Kotorp 8 years. I have strong experience it-sell. Also I have 15 years of experience in building quality-, environmnet- and health and safety ISO-standard management systems.
What is your company specialized in?
Kotopro is mobile document application. Document at the site and make final notes with computer if needed. You can take pictures, write or dictate notes and receive a full report by one click with Kotopro. No more paperwork, sorting out pictures or revisiting the site! This way you need less working hours to earn exactly the same amount of payment.
Tell us about your clients and other key shareholders or partners?
We have all kind of customers all-around of Finland: Contractors, subcontractors, real estate management, industry, teaching, technical consulting, cleaning industry, job training, distance learning, Health and Welfare Sector, psychotherapy, healthcare and safety.
What services or products do you offer to other YardMate members?
Documentation becomes an easy part of the day-to-day work with Kotopro. You can authorize the people concerned to create or review documents for free. All documents and reports stay in one place for both management and clients to easily access and monitor during the work process.
What are your expectations for YardMate?
I look very keenly to meet YardMate members and how Kotopro can help in managing and growing their business.
What are your future needs regarding personnel?
Develop sells and communications skills.
What are your future needs regarding sub-contractors and partners?
I wait for good co-operation that lead win-win to both side.
Anything else you wish to say to us?
It is great to be part of the YardMate Members.
As a member of YardMate, Sokos Hotels has offered all its fellow members in YardMate network preferential deals for the past two years. The benefit has been very welcome and members have enjoyed reduced rates for accommodation as well as flexible service regarding bookings during holiday periods. See the whole story behind Sokos Hotel member benefits.
To get the same discount and other YardMate member benefits, place your application via Apply for Memembership.
Meet Roope Riihimäki from our member company Menevä
Who are you?
Roope Riihimäki, salesman for Menevä Taxi Center.
What is your company specialized in?
Taxi services for contractual business customers and consumers.
Tell us about your clients and other key shareholders or partners?
We have all kind of customers all-around of Finland: Government, companies, hotels, restaurants, medical sample deliveries etc.
What services or products do you offer to other YardMate members?
Competitive and clear pricing: fixed prices, no hidden fees.
Environmentally friendly: efficient fleet management, hybrid and electric cars, vans and buses.
Meet & Greet -airport and hotel pick up service. Detailed invoices and reports.
What are your expectations for YardMate?
We expect that with YardMate we can find new partners and clients to serve.
Anything else you wish to say to us?
We wish better times to everyone regarding the present pandemic situation.
Having the right connections and networks can play key role while bringing new innovations to market.
YardMate CEO Kari Härkönen’s article in Turun Sanomat (19.06.) editorial page emphasizes the importance of networking and relationships in productization – all the things YardMate offers to it’s members.
Click the picture to read the article in Finnish.
Read how to build artificial waves to open water or decrease fuel consumption in marine engines – Read the article in Finnish
Every office’s assistant at your service – Meet Tiina Ansell from our member company All in Order VA
Who are you?
I am Tiina Ansell, founder of All in Order VA Virtual Assistant Services and Virtual Assistant. I come from the corporate world with over 20 years of experience in working for both start-up and well-established companies. My former career has taken me abroad to work for international companies in project coordination and business support roles. My years in various administration and management roles in fast-paced and growing companies, has given me a great understanding of what a business needs to run efficiently. I am super-organised hence I chose the name ‘All in Order VA’- it describes me and my work methodology very well.
What is your company specialized in?
We are specialized in administration, business support and project coordination services. We work remotely and virtually with the client, unless the task requires presence at the client’s premises.
Tell us about your clients?
Our clients are business owners and companies who require assistance in business functions either on a once-off or more regular basis. They usually have a need for more hands in the business quickly, and to save time or for lack of it, and for cost efficiency, are outsourcing tasks.
What services or products do you offer to other YardMate members?
We are offering all above mentioned services in a flexible and tailor-made format.
What are your expectations for YardMate?
We wish to reach the YardMate members to introduce our services and establish how our expertise can help in managing and growing their business. We also hope that the YardMate network will help us to introduce our services to potential customers.
Anything else you wish to say to us?
It is great to be part of the YardMate team of dedicated professionals! When you are working hard, do remember that while you can do everything it may not be beneficial.
