Casting the future Leinovalu

CASTING THE FUTURE

Leading Finnish turnkey supplier Leinovalu Oy specialises in delivering complete casting solutions from its steel and iron foundry. Emma-Jane Batey spoke to the managing director, Liisa Leino, to learn more.

Founded in southern Finland in 1898, steel and iron foundry Leinovalu Oy is still owned by the same family that established the company over 110 years ago. Managing director Liisa Leino proudly represents her family’s long-established business, which is built on a very solid financial foundation.

Achieving a €15 million turnover in 2012 and employing nearly 150 people, Leinovalu Oy has a mission to form partnerships with customers and help them to succeed. With a recently relaunched website highlighting its capabilities, the company feels strong with its current market position. Ms Leino told Industry Europe, “We are in a fortunate position as most of our present cooperation with our customers is based on long-standing WinWin situations and at the same time there are many good new business opportunities among new customers.”

Design to delivery

Leinovalu Oy offers a full turnkey service from its steel and iron foundry. From design to delivery of ready-to-install components, the company works with customers from various industries such as forestry, energy, marine and environmental technology. Ms Leino continued, “Our customers are listed companies. People can trust us to work at the highest level and I believe that is why we have continued to succeed over the years. That capability comes from a number of areas, with delivery accuracy, quality and flexibility at the top of the list. We are driven by wanting to meet our customers’ expectations – to be the preferred business partner- and at the same time also to develop sustainability into our business model.”

The company’s ability to consistently and reliably work at the highest level is certainly a key advantage. As a professional turnkey solutions provider, Leinovalu has a strong reputation for delivering particularly demanding castings. Ms Leino explained how the combination of a committed workforce together with a wide-range foundry helps to achieve this. She said, “The knowledge level is high and wide in our company. Our workforce is skilled and are experts in their field. Our ability to offer ready-machined iron

and steel including the design at the top level is what sets us apart from the competition. We know that there are not many foundries that are able to reliably produce the type of demanding castings that we can provide here at Leinovalu. This is why we are not a high volume producer, but rather a high quality components partner to our customers.” Solid position

It is this clear understanding of where Leinovalu sits solidly in the market across northern Europe that is helping the company to meet its customers’ high expectations and indeed its own ambitious plans for continued success. The company attends strategically selected industry trade fairs in order to meet with existing companies and potential long-term partners, with a technical fair in St Petersburg highlighting its aim to grow in Russia. Already a well-known foundry across its domestic Finnish market as well as in neighbouring countries, Leinovalu is still seeing new opportunities in its “home market” of Europe and Russia.

Ms Leino continued, “We will develop the business together with our selected customers and this is how we will remain successful in the future. By listening closely to them and guaranteeing that we deliver ready-to-install components precisely designed and made according to their requirements, Leinovalu will enjoy profitable growth.”

Geared up for growth

Profitable growth is the key target for Leinovalu’s future. The company does not wish for what Ms Leino calls “growth at any price” but rather aims to remain true to its heritage by maintaining customer-focused. Ms Leino concluded, “By understanding the business of our customers and staying close to them we have the knowledge of developing our own business at least one step ahead of the competition. We ensure our competence to the highest level and we will continue to develop our processes so that our deliver accuracy, quality, flexibility and reaction time meet the customer needs. As our customers are listed companies and they themselves operate at the highest level, we pride ourselves on being a valued partner. Together with our selected customers we will gain the long-term win-win position.

“Profitable growth for us is not about keeping shareholders happy, but it is about keeping our private company in the excellent shape. Only a financially healthy company can do strong and responsible business with its customers and take good care of its personnel. We are fully committed to moving forward to develop the business with our customers and to continue to offer demanding casting solution, being the preferred the business partner.” n