Valmet's Flow Control business line came to Lappeenranta when Neles, a supplier of industrial valve solutions, was merged with Valmet in spring 2022. The valve and pump business of Flowrox Oy in Lappeenranta had already been transferred to Neles at the beginning of November 2021, and the merger meant that Valmet also became the successor to the work of Flowrox, a family-owned company in Lappeenranta .

Esa Lumme, head of Valmet's flow control business in the mining and metals industry unit, says that the acquisition significantly expanded Valmet's flow control product range, especially for the mining industry, and now customers in the industry can get equipment for very different processes from the same supplier.

Lumme says that with the acquisition, Flowrox's flow control specialists were transferred to Valmet, which has ensured that the production of valves and pumps has continued unchanged.

- We have good and committed employees, he says.
- Business is going well and we have hired over a dozen new people in the past two and a half years. Now there are about 80 of us in this unit. It's great to have a skilled workforce in the area.

Global Reach from Lappeenranta

Valmet's flow control unit operates in three locations in Lappeenranta. The plant is located in the old manege next to the Fazer candy factory. The office staff were for some time in temporary premises in Skinnarila, but have now moved to new premises in Rakuunamäki. The distance to the factory is only a few hundred metres.

Valmet supplies flow control solutions to around 115 countries worldwide. In addition to its own offices, the company also uses distributors.

- The location of the Lappeenranta factory inland is not a problem, as we load the products at the factory into trucks that take them to ports in southern Finland, including Kotka, says Lumme.
- Lappeenranta is also an excellent location, not only because of the aforementioned experts, but also because of the safe and good environment. We have a lot of visitors and for many, the location in eastern Finland, lakes, snow or sometimes even heavy rain are exotic experiences.

Flowrox products are known for their quality and reliability

With the acquisition, Valmet also acquired the valve and pump brand known as Larox Flowsys and later Flowrox. Esa Lumme says that because the brand has a really good echo, the business will continue to be stable. The only change is that the products that used to be painted red are now blue, like Valmet's other flow control products.

- We also have good stakeholder relations with universities, vocational colleges and the city, among others, says Lumme.
- We feel that we can get help from the city when we need it, and we participate in recruitment events, for example at the colleges and in the city .

Of course, the company's transformation into a listed company has certainly had an impact on both employees and customers, but feedback suggests that there are no concerns. By changes, Lumme refers to the fact that the new ownership has brought Valmet's way of doing business into the company. This can be seen, for example, in the fact that Valmet's induction programme is in place throughout the company. Similarly, safety and responsibility issues are closely monitored.

-Everything is done in accordance with Valmet's global HSE (health, safety and environment) standards .

-Along with the right attitude and responsible processes,safety starts with workwear - shoes, goggles, safety vests, etc. are always intact and in good condition.The Group has a separate organisation to guide and develop HSE work.

Lumme sees a bright future for the Lappeenranta unit. A committed and skilled workforce will play an important role in this.

-We have a great team and it's a pleasure to come to work with us!

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(Formore information about Valmet and the flow control business, please visit https://www.valmet.com/fi/virtauksensaato/)

Valmet is theworld's leading supplier and developer of process technology, automation solutions and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries .With automation systems and flow control solutions, Valmet serves an even wider customer base in the process industry. Valmet's turnover in 2023 was approximately €5.5 billion and the company employs more than 19,000 professionals worldwide .