Laitex Oy is a family-owned company that has been based in Lappeenranta for nearly 40 years.
Founded in 1986, this equipment manufacturer delivers material handling systems to sectors such as the energy, pulp and paper, mining, and chemical industries. The company’s proven goal is to keep the customer’s processes running without interruptions: Flow Must Go On, as their slogan aptly states. In addition to prioritizing customer success, Laitex Oy holds a cleaner world and the promotion of the circular economy as core values. According to CEO Lasse Kurronen, Laitex’s growth is driven by the green transition.
Kurronen has grown up alongside the family business his whole life. He has witnessed how both the company and the world have changed, and sees agility as one of the key factors of success.
“We keep our focus continuously on our customers and their needs — that’s how we succeed in our work,” says Kurronen.
“Of course, we have a large team of engineers and professionals from various fields who know their job well.”
Currently, Laitex employs over 100 people and has doubled its turnover in recent years — a recipe that clearly works.
In addition to the customer perspective, the company ensures that environmental considerations are integrated into all operations.
“We’re increasingly focusing on circular economy projects for a greener future.
Our growth is accelerated by broad efforts toward a carbon-neutral society — for example, power plants around the world are moving away from coal and other fossil fuels, which significantly increases demand for technologies suited to handling green biomass.”
Laitex’s headquarters, production, and the majority of its personnel are based in Lappeenranta, but due to workforce availability, the company also has an office near the airport in Vantaa. Remote work is common at Laitex, and home offices have sprung up across Finland.
Overall, work is no longer tied to location in the same way it once was, as Laitex operates in 80 countries — partly through global customers and partly through an extensive sales network. Of the company’s approximately €30 million turnover, one third comes from Finland, one third from Europe, and one third from global customers through indirect channels.
Kurronen says Laitex is unlikely to leave Lappeenranta. The company’s history, factories, and most of its employees are there. Logistics are not a problem, as the city is well-connected.
“When we need a seaport, it’s in Kotka — less than 100 kilometers away,” Kurronen notes.
The production unit employs around 40 professionals: welders, sheet metal workers, machinists, and others. According to Kurronen, they’ve so far been able to find the needed talent.
“We use subcontractors during production peaks, which is a good way for us to balance our operations,” says Kurronen.
“This also allows us to maintain full employment at our own factory and avoid considering layoffs during fluctuations.”
In addition to the factory, Lappeenranta is also home to LUT University, which is internationally recognized for its expertise in electrical engineering and fluid dynamics. The university conducts high-quality research and produces excellent talent. Last autumn, LUT expanded its offerings to include social sciences, meaning it now produces experts in a wider range of fields and serves as a respected place of study for local families.
Kurronen is pleased that a world-class technology-driven knowledge cluster has developed around the university and the region’s long-standing pulp and paper, metal, and mining industries.
“Networking is absolutely essential for achieving success,” Kurronen emphasizes.
“By this I mean both global and local networks that help us develop new innovations, operate more flexibly, and better meet customer needs comprehensively.”
Laitex is also active in local Lappeenranta-area networks. Kurronen highlights especially the Greenreality Network, which connects energy and environmental companies, municipalities, and research and educational institutions in the region. The network is coordinated by the City of Lappeenranta.
Further information:
Laitex Oy
CEO Lasse Kurronen
Tel. +358 40 067 9968