Laitex Oy is a family-owned company that has been in Lappeenranta for almost 40 years: founded in 1986, the equipment manufacturer produces material handling systems for the energy, pulp and paper, mining and chemical industries, among others. The company has a proven track record of keeping its customers' processes running without interruption: as the company's slogan puts it, Flow Must Go is. In addition to the best interests of the customer, Laitex Ltd. is committed to a cleaner world and the promotion of the circular economy. In the words of CEO Lasse Kurronen, Laitex's growth will come through the green revolution.
Kurronen has grown up alongside the family business all his life. He has seen how the company - and the world - has changed and sees agility as one of the key success factors.
- We keep our focus on our customers and their needs at all times, and that's how we succeed in our work, says Kurronen.
- Of course, we have a large team of engineers and other professionals in different fields who know their job.
Currently, there are more than 100 laitex employees and it has doubled its turnover in the last few years, so the recipe has worked .
In addition to the customer aspect, the company ensures that the environmental aspect is well taken into account in everything it does .
- We are increasingly focusing on circular economy projects for a greener future.
- Our growth is being driven by broad efforts towards a carbon neutral society - for example, power plants around the world are phasing out coal and other fossil fuels, which is significantly increasing demand for green biomass processing technology.
Laitex's headquarters, production and the majority of its staff are located in Lappeenranta, but for reasons of staff availability there is also an office in Vantaa near the airport. Laitex is widely telecommuted and home offices have sprung up all over Finland.
All in all, work is no longer tied to a specific location in the same way as before, as Laitex operates in 80 countries, partly through global customers and partly through an extensive sales network. Of the company's turnover of around €30 million, a third comes from Finland, a third from Europe and a third from around the world indirectly through customer relationships .
Many reasons to stay in Lappeenranta
Kurronen says Laitex is unlikely to leave Lappeenranta. It has history, factories and a large number of employees. Logistics is not a problem, as the connections are good.
- When we need a seaport, it is less than 100 km away in Kotka, Kurronen says.
The production employs a total of about 40 welders, sheet metal workers, machinists and other skilled workers. According to Kurronen, so far they have been able to find skilled workers.
- We use subcontractors in our production picks, which is a good way for us to level the playing field, says Kurronen.- This has also made it possible for us not to have to think about reducing the workforce in different situations, and we always have full employment in our own factory.
In addition to the factory, Lappeenranta is also home to the LUT University, which has world-class expertise in electrical engineering and power, among other things. The university, which has a worldwide reputation, produces high-quality research and good employees. Last autumn, the LUT extended its range of courses to include social sciences, producing not only a growing number of specialists in various fields but also a prestigious place of study for families in the region.
Kurronen is pleased that the university and the region's long-established pulp and paper, metal and mining industries have developed into a world-class technology-based centre of excellence .
- Networking is absolutely essential for success, Kurronen stresses.
- By this I mean both global and local networks to develop new things and learn how to be more flexible and respond to customers' needs in a holistic way .
Laitex is also active in networks in the Lappeenranta region, of which Kurronen mentions in particular the Greenreality Network, which brings together energy and environmental companies, municipalities in the region and research and education institutes . It is coordinated by the City of Lappeenranta.
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