“At some point, I felt like my previous job was no longer the kind of job where I could do things the way that would really serve the clients. During my maternity leave, I started thinking about what to do next, and I decided to study something completely new.”

A new direction in engineering

The change in field took some careful consideration for Johanna. She considered future job opportunities and ended up studying mechanical engineering at Lapland University of Applied Sciences:

“Mechanical engineering felt right, especially because it also allows you to work with your hands. I like designing, but also the fact that I get to implement and test things myself.”

During her studies, her focus shifted further to plastics technology, which she studied as a cross-curricular subject at Satakunta UAS. This eventually led to her applying for an internship at companies in the field, and is how she eventually landed at our doorstep.

From an internship to a permanent role

Johanna Lonnakko started at V.A.V. Group as an intern on a project related to new raw materials. Project work, thesis, and production tasks ran parallel for a long time. In her thesis, Johanna developed a tool for the TPE line that made it possible to streamline product manufacturing and reduce errors. The solution proved so effective that it was decided to keep the work as internal company information!

As graduation approached and a position opened up at the company, the transition to a permanent role came naturally.

A diverse role keeps the work interesting

Johanna’s workdays vary greatly. The work includes design, 3D printing, production work, quality assurance, and material development.

“Sometimes I can spend weeks on the computer designing and making reports, and other times I’m in production developing and testing new solutions. That variety is what makes the work meaningful.”

According to Johanna, one of the best parts of the job is the opportunity to take ideas from start to finish yourself:

“In many larger companies, the designer designs, and someone else creates the product. Here, you get to make, test, and develop things yourself until they are finished. It teaches you the process in a completely different way.”

Striking a balance between work and home life

The work community gets a special mention from Johanna. In a small organization, cooperation is smooth, and help is easy to get.

“It’s easy to be here, easy to come to work in the mornings. You don’t have to play any role; you can just be yourself. Everyone knows each other, and you can get help quickly since you always know who to ask.”

In contrast to work, her everyday life revolves around her family. Her two young children waiting at home make sure that the evenings are never boring. In addition, her free time includes agility practice with her dog, motorcycle riding, and 3D printing – a hobby that found its way home from her studies.

“I got into 3D printing when I was a student. Nowadays, the plastic printer is sometimes almost like a television for the kids, it’s fun for them to watch while the printing is in progress, especially if I’m printing something for them”, she laughs.

Welcome, Johanna, to your new position at V.A.V. Group!

Artikkeli Meet Johanna Lonnakko: Design & Quality Engineer julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran V.A.V. Group.

As regulations increase and require environmental data at the project level, our customers need verified product information to complete their calculations. To provide our customers with the right documentation, we at V.A.V. Group turned to Reforest Finland Oy for help.

Sustainability requirements are going through changes

According to Atte Borgenström, CEO of sustainability consultancy Reforest, the change in mindset over the past few years has been dramatic.

“We’ve worked with sustainability reporting and carbon footprint calculations for years – carbon footprint reporting has been the core of our work for a long time. But regulation is tightening fast, and requirements keep growing. As a result, companies now need much broader solutions than before.”

Reforest, founded in 2020 and located in Tampere, Finland, supports companies with sustainability reporting, carbon footprint calculations, EPDs, and other environmental assessments. While interest started off slowly, in recent years the demand has accelerated rapidly.

“The number of inquiries has increased massively. Around 2021, sustainability was still often seen as something close to charity. Today, decision-makers understand that it’s an essential part of doing business.”

A combination of EU regulation and market pressure drives this shift. Larger companies increasingly require verified environmental data from their suppliers, which means smaller and mid-sized manufacturers must also be able to provide credible, standardized information.

What the EPD covers

An EPD is based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) of a product. It usually applies to construction products, where environmental performance plays a key role in project-level calculations.

“An EPD shows the environmental impacts of a product across its entire life cycle – from manufacturing and use to end of life. That includes CO₂ emissions and other greenhouse gases, but also impacts on water and ecosystems,” Borgenström explains.

The result is a detailed document containing a large amount of quantified data. While this may seem complex at first glance, its value becomes clear at the project level.

“A building consists of many different components. By combining EPDs, you can calculate the total carbon footprint and environmental impact of the entire building.”

Because EPDs follow harmonized standards and are third-party verified, the data is consistent and comparable, something that unverified calculations cannot guarantee.

Why this matters to us

One of the key strengths of EPDs is that they are always produced according to the same rules. All assumptions must be justified, and nothing essential can be left out.

Once the calculations are complete, the EPD is reviewed by an accredited verifier, who checks the methodology, data sources, and results before approving publication. Verified EPDs are public documents and can be found in databases such as EPD Hub.

A verified EPD is valid for 5 years, provided the product’s composition does not undergo significant changes. If production methods, materials, or energy sources change during that time, updating the EPD can help reflect improved environmental performance.

This is the first EPD calculation for V.A.V. Group and, as such, a starting point for continuous evaluation and improvement of materials, production, and recycling processes to achieve even better results in the future.     

What if a product has no EPD?

If a product does not have its own EPD, generic emission factors are typically used in building or project calculations. While this allows projects to move forward, the results are often less accurate and frequently less favorable than product-specific data.

“For manufacturers operating in Finland and other regions with energy-efficient production and low-carbon electricity, this can be a missed opportunity,” Borgenström notes.

EPDs make it possible to demonstrate real differences between products, especially when compared to alternatives manufactured under very different environmental conditions.

Ask our team for more details!

Reforest carried out the EPD calculations for V.A.V. Group’s products, supporting the process from life cycle assessment to third-party verification. For broad product portfolios, EPDs can often be created for product groups within defined variation ranges, making them a practical and scalable solution even when individual product variants are numerous.

You can now find EPD verifications for our silicone profiles and our TPE sealing profiles on EPD-Hub or by following the links below!

As sustainability expectations continue to evolve, EPDs offer a stable foundation grounded in data, verified by third parties, and increasingly essential for doing business in construction and industry. We at V.A.V. Group will continue to do our part in providing up-to-date documentation on our materials and products.

Artikkeli V.A.V. Group Shares EPD Verifications julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran V.A.V. Group.

The survey was carried out between 10 and 24 September 2024 by Ahaa Vision.

Survey fatigue

The survey was sent to a total of 66 customers, of whom 22 responded—a response rate of approximately one-third. We greatly appreciate all the responses, and we understand that recently, feedback surveys have become increasingly common, and that it is impossible to respond to every one. Almost every service and purchase is already inundated with requests for feedback, which can easily lead to what we call “survey fatigue”. We are therefore particularly grateful to all those who took the time to provide feedback, as it is a valuable tool to help us improve our operations and strengthen our cooperation.

This is how we succeeded as a supplier

Respondents to the satisfaction survey were asked to rate our performance in different areas on a scale of 1 to 6, where 1 = poor and 6 = very good. The tables show the ratings we received and the number of respondents.

The ability to find the right solutions for the client

Based on feedback, customers feel that V.A.V. Group has succeeded in finding solutions that meet their needs. More than 90% gave us a rating of 5 or 6, reflecting our strong customer understanding and solution-oriented approach.

Smoothness of cooperation

We are pleased that cooperation with us is perceived as smooth. The majority of respondents thought that cooperation with V.A.V. Group works very well, i.e., the interaction skills and project management are well established in our company.

Flexibility of operation

Flexibility is one of our core values, and it’s something our customers have also praised. Almost 82% of customers rated our flexibility as a 5 or 6. But flexibility can always be improved, and we will continue to strive to do so.

Reliability as a supplier

The reliability of the V.A.V. Group has increased compared to the results of the previous satisfaction survey. Half of the respondents considered us to be very reliable.

Staff competences and skills

The professional skills of staff were largely rated as very good. A small number of respondents did not have experiences to rate, but the responses of others highlight a professional service of which we are very proud.

We have written introductions to our staff, check them out!

Would you recommend V.A.V. Group?

The majority of respondents would be happy to recommend our company: 90% of customers would either most likely or definitely recommend V.A.V. Group to others. This is a strong indication for us of customer satisfaction and appreciation of what we do.

The final rating for V.A.V. Group is…

Overall, we received an excellent rating from our clients! Almost all respondents rated our performance as a 5 or 6. The overall satisfaction rating was 79.6%, almost unchanged from 79.5% in 2022.

How our values meet

The satisfaction survey explored how our customers perceive V.A.V. Group and what qualities are important to them. The questionnaire let respondents choose up to three qualities from the list.

How customers described V.A.V. Group

The survey asked you to choose 1-3 characteristics that you felt best reflected your image of V.A.V. Group as a company. Flexibility, reliability, and quality stood out in particular. The perception is positive, but aspects related to the environment or innovation did not emerge in the survey responses.

Most important characteristics for our customers

We also asked which features were most important to our customers (1-3 choices). The responses indicated that quality and reliability are important to customers, both of which received the highest and equal number of responses. Flexibility and competitiveness were also rated as important. Safety, innovation, and value were not among the most important attributes this time.

Our Value Offer is built on four key principles: innovation, reliability, speed, and flexibility. Reliability and flexibility were recognised in the satisfaction survey. Fifteen of the respondents considered reliability to be an important characteristic for themselves, and 12 respondents also have an image of V.A.V. Group as a reliable supplier. Similarly, flexibility was perceived as both important and as a characteristic that describes V.A.V. Group well.

Although speed was not directly mentioned in the satisfaction survey, our ability to find the right solution for the customer received positive feedback: 9 respondents rated us a 6, and 11 rated us a 5. Respondents, therefore, appreciated our ability to respond quickly and efficiently.

Innovativeness was mentioned only once in customers’ responses, and respondents did not consider it to be the most important characteristic. We aim to continue to invest in innovation and provide our customers with the best, but not everyone may see it as a key part of our identity yet.

What next?

The responses we received indicated that we are doing a good job and delivering on our value proposition to our customers. However, we believe that there is always room for improvement, and based on the results of the survey, we will be paying more attention in the future to providing quick and accurate information in exceptional situations and how we can better respond to our customers’ new or changing needs.

We will also consider how we could better implement the customer survey in the future, so that we can obtain valuable feedback from a wider range of our customers.

We would like to thank everyone who responded to the survey!

Artikkeli Customer Satisfaction Survey Results julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran V.A.V. Group.

Production and shipments will continue as usual all summer long, with one exception: we’ll be taking a short break during week 28 (7.–13.7.), when shipments will pause. We recommend planning ahead to make sure your deliveries stay on schedule. By placing your orders in good time, you’ll avoid unnecessary delays and keep your projects running smoothly.

Need profiles or gaskets for your upcoming work? Whether you’re kicking off something new or restocking for ongoing operations, we’re here to help you move forward efficiently and stress-free. Let’s make summer 2025 a season of smart planning and solid results.

Get in touch with V.A.V. Group today and place your orders early!

Photo by Tapio Haaja on Unsplash

Artikkeli Prepare for Summer 2025 with V.A.V. Group julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran V.A.V. Group.

We’re thrilled to announce that the production of the EasySwing has now officially moved to our facilities in Ii, Northern Finland. At V.A.V. Group, we’re known for our expertise in crafting high-quality silicone and TPE profiles. We’ll be bringing the same level of care and attention to detail to making the EasySwing even better.

Preparing our facilities for cattlebrush production!

To support the production, we’ve expanded our operations with renewed facilities dedicated to the EasySwing cattle brush. These include a metalworking shop, a welding station, and a powder coating line. The welding shop is already up and running, followed by the powder coating stations soon after. We expect the entire production line to be in full (and easy) swing in May 2025.

This transition doesn’t just bring the EasySwing closer to home. It also has the potential to bring new jobs to the area. We’re proud to contribute to local employment while continuing to deliver a high-quality product that both our customers and their animals can count on.

We want to ensure that the EasySwing continues to deliver the reliability and durability that farmers, and most importantly, the cows, horses, and other four-legged friends, love. It’s all about making life a little easier and more comfortable.

We’re excited for the future and can’t wait to keep bringing smiles to our customers and their animals, with a product that helps make every day a little bit brighter!

Artikkeli Production of the EasySwing Cattlebrush Moves to Ii julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran V.A.V. Group.

INNOVATIVE CATTLE BRUSH SPARKED INTEREST

FinnEasy Oy, founded in 2016, is a company that develops and manufactures animal welfare products. The company’s sales success, the EasySwing cattle brush, was designed by Juha Kultanen, who has also worked as FinnEasy’s CEO until now. The EasySwing cattle brush is a patented innovation designed specifically for cattle, promoting well-being and stimulation. Its purpose is to provide animals with the opportunity for self-care – animals can scratch and rub themselves against the brush, which reduces itching, improves blood circulation, and reduces stress, thereby enhancing productivity.

“The more I have familiarized myself with the products and the company, the better I have felt about the excellence of FinnEasy’s products,” rejoices Pasi Vilén, CEO of V.A.V. Group. EasySwing products stand out from other products on the market particularly due to their independence of electricity, making them durable and requiring less maintenance. The Vilén family wants to focus especially on marketing the product in the future. “Electric versions have been on the market for decades and are familiar to consumers, so introducing this product and highlighting its strengths requires effort,” reflects Ville-Matias Vilén.

Diligent marketing work will begin with the former owners at the EuroTier fair in Hannover.

A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS ACQUISITION IN MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING

For a long time, V.A.V. Group had been searching for an export-oriented manufacturing company with promising growth prospects. When FinnEasy came up in discussions through a broker, a common ground was immediately found with the company operating in the agricultural sector. Although the industry is new to V.A.V. Group, FinnEasy’s product was so interesting that the acquisition was made.

The owners of FinnEasy, Juha and Heini Kultanen, had also been looking for a successor for their company for some time, as there was no one in their family to take over. The Kultanen couple felt it would have been a shame if a growth-capable and clearly potential company had to be shut down. Thus, they started looking for a new successor through a business sale, with successful results.

“The business acquisition has gone well, mutual understanding is at an excellent level,” commented the former CEO Juha Kultanen.

“Juha and Heini have been open and supportive in this process, and we have developed strong mutual trust,” added Ville-Matias Vilén.

The business acquisition process has been smooth on both sides, as the parties are on the same page regarding the company’s future. FinnEasy is seeking broader resources and international growth. Additionally, both companies prioritize high product quality and a focus on customer satisfaction.

COLLABORATION OPENS UP NEW OPPORTUNITIES

The merger of the companies opens up opportunities for significant synergies by combining existing expertise. FinnEasy will leverage V.A.V. Group’s already strong resources, creating new opportunities for both companies. With a larger workforce, FinnEasy’s logistics will improve, leaving more time for sales work, customer visits, and business growth.

The aim is to develop new ways to support distributors in their sales and marketing efforts by offering, for example, training and updated marketing materials. In support of an excellent product, FinnEasy’s brand development will also be emphasized. Branding will be carried out in collaboration with customers who know the end customers and their needs.

SMOOTH TRANSITION UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

A successful ownership transition is ensured with a gradual transition period to which both parties are committed. During the transition period, the primary goal is to maintain the quality of products and services, and in the long term, to further development operations. The ownership transition will be managed smoothly in cooperation with Juha and Heini Kultanen, ensuring the transfer of all knowledge and expertise to V.A.V. Group.

“Heini and I will be involved as long as needed; we want to ensure a seamless transition to the new owner,” emphasizes Juha Kultanen.

The Kultanen couple firmly believe that V.A.V. Group will drive FinnEasy’s growth. All parties are very satisfied with the deal and the future opportunities it brings. With the successful business acquisition, FinnEasy’s operations will continue under V.A.V. Group.

Artikkeli FinnEasy becomes a part of V.A.V. Group julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran V.A.V. Group.

This article will introduce the new production lines and other useful additions to our facilities. We’ll also share a little bit about our next investment plans!

NEW VERTICAL SILICONE EXTRUSION LINE

The first of the two production lines is a vertical silicone extrusion line. Project Manager Hannu Veijola and Production Line Operator Arttu Juntunen answered questions about the vertical extrusion line and its current and future role in our production.

HOW DOES A VERTICAL EXTRUSION LINE WORK?

The vertical extrusion line uses production technology that differs from the traditional horizontal furnace. On the current line, the profile is run horizontally along a conveyor belt in a 12-meter-long furnace. On the vertical line, the profile is driven vertically upwards and steered in the air through the furnace.

In a vertical line, the profile is quickly heated by the infrared lamps. The infra-red furnace heats up in about 15 minutes. Compare this to the horizontal furnace, which has to be heated for several hours before it is ready to vulcanize the profiles and stays on all day. “Although the vertical furnace uses almost as much energy as the horizontal basic furnace, the energy savings are still high as the heating time is reduced, and once a profile has been run through the furnace, the furnace can be switched off until the next use,” says Veijola. Therefore, it only consumes energy during the time the profile is fed through it, plus the 15 minutes before it heats up.

The vertical furnace is just under three meters tall, with a half-meter-diameter tube that opens vertically in the center. It is heated by the lamps and reflector panels inside it, whereas the old furnace runs on resistors. Because the vertical furnace is shorter, it does not need as long a feedline for the finished profile, which is led down by two coils and then gathered.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A VERTICAL EXTRUSION LINE? 

According to Veijola, on the regular production line, the profile is driven horizontally and runs on a belt made of wire mesh that runs for 12 meters through the furnace. “When the silicone seal comes out of the extruder, it’s still soft like plasticine, so there’s always a spot where it sticks to the belt and the pattern on the belt gets pressed into the seal itself.” The surface is left with a dotted pattern left by the mesh, which does not affect the profile but can be aesthetically undesirable. In the horizontal furnace, an attempt is made to drive the profile through the furnace so that the pattern remains on a side that is not visible when installed, but this is not always possible.

Allows for more complicated profiles

In a vertical furnace, the seal is driven upwards, floating in the air as it bakes inside the furnace. The profile cooks fast enough to stay in shape and pass easily through the furnace. The sealant is soft when it is fed from the bottom of the furnace, and by the time it comes out of the top, it has already hardened. 

In addition, it can be difficult or even impossible to run a geometrically complex profile with a conventional line. According to Veijola and Juntunen, a challenging shape could be, for example, one where the center of the profile is circular with three whiskers coming out of it. It is challenging to place in any orientation on a horizontal belt without any of the whiskers bending. As the profile travels through the air inside the vertical furnace, nothing can press on it, and even the most complex seal will hold its shape. “In short, the vertical extrusion furnace allows us to make more geometrically difficult profiles, leaves no marks on the profile, and is more energy efficient than a traditional furnace.”

ARE VERTICAL EXTRUSION LINES BETTER THAN HORIZONTAL?

Not all seals can be produced on a vertical line. Sometimes, you will find seals with, for example, a very thin, millimeter-long “whisker” on one side but a thicker one on the other side. In a vertical furnace, such profiles exit the nozzle in a different way. This causes a risk that the profile starts to spiral and ends up vulcanizing in that shape.

Veijola and Juntunen agree that the vertical furnace has shown its potential for even the most difficult sealing applications. The seal can be vulcanized quickly, which speeds up the entire production chain. When using a horizontal furnace to produce geometrically challenging profiles, the gasket is heated with LPG to help keep its shape before it goes into the furnace. If asymmetric seals can be transferred to the vertical extrusion line, the use of gas can also be omitted.

At this point, the vertical line is used every day. The speed of production is more or less the same as on a regular horizontal line. However, especially the more complex and asymmetrical profiles are much easier to produce with vertical extrusion. It is a very useful tool when the customer does not want any imperfections left by the conveyor belt.

NEW TPE EXTRUSION LINE

Our new TPE line operates very similarly to the old one but with a few helpful bells and whistles. A longer cooling line has made production more efficient. Arttu Juntunen answered a few questions about the new TPE line.

WHAT’S NEW?

The production line has modern equipment with features that make it easier and faster to use. Product recipes can be saved into the control unit. This way, profiles that are ordered repeatedly can easily be selected and produced without inputting their details manually every time. 

“The new line works more or less the same way as our other TPE line, but it is a lot more modern and a bit faster”, Juntunen explains.

An improvement compared to our older models is the larger cooling tub. It makes a difference in production times, as it can cool down large profiles much faster. The new TPE line was intuitive and easy for our employees to use. The only learning curve was the modern and digital user interface.

MORE NEW ADDITIONS:

• We now have all of our further processing operations in one, improved space. This saves time and energy in the production process. The further processing area now spans about 200 square meters.

• We have improved our quality control for production and equipment

• We have applied new video-measuring equipment

• Our extended facilities now include new, modern employee areas, dressing rooms, showers, and more office space. We have also improved recycling and waste management in our facilities.

COMING NEXT:

LASER MEASUREMENT

A welcome feature of the vertical furnace was the laser width measurement. A gauge reads the width of the seal as it passes through the furnace. The machine automatically adjusts the feed according to the variations it detects in the readings. We can give the machine precise tolerances for the gasket width, which it then monitors throughout the production of the profile. 

From a quality control point of view, we found laser width measuring so useful that we are looking to apply it to our other production lines as well.

AUTOMATED PACKAGING

One of our next investments has been eagerly awaited: an automatic packaging line for rigid, even 7,5 m long profiles. The manual packaging of these products is not only physically exhausting but also very time-consuming. We are also looking into improving our drying processes to speed up packaging.

NON-STRETCH PROFILES

Last but not least, we will be developing and improving the installation of the non-stretch cords into our profiles.

While some investments may seem smaller than others, they all contribute to our big picture: reliable, innovation-driven manufacturing with fast and flexible production lines!

Artikkeli NEW PRODUCTION LINES AND INVESTMENTS julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran V.A.V. Group.

Who is Hugo Heikkala?

Heikkala is an 18-year-old competitive European dinghy (E-dinghy) sailor from Oulu, Finland. During his interview, he’s enjoying his summer vacation at home after spending June training in Espoo. Heikkala will continue his third year of high school this fall and is scheduled to graduate in the winter of 2025.

Heikkala began sailing at seven years old with an Optimist dinghy. He was drawn to sailing through his god-father, ex-competitive sailor Jorma Kinnunen. At around nine years old, he took a break from sailing and took up football (or soccer, for those across the pond), which he pursued until age 14-15. Heikkala decided to return to sailing and began training with an E-dinghy, this time competitively.

How did you decide to start competing?

– There was just this spark, and it became important to me. And in the last three years, I’ve hardly done anything else!

Heikkala’s first competition was at his local sailing club, at around nine years old, before his switch to football. When he returned to sailing, he unfortunately suffered a stress fracture to his upper back, which meant a recovery break before getting back into competing. Fully healed and ready at 15, his first competition was the NJK ranking in Helsinki in 2021, and after that, there hasn’t been a competition in Finland that he would have missed. Heikkala already boasts impressive achievements, including earning a place in the e-dinghy World Championships in Denmark in 2023 and being promoted to the Europe-class Finland National Team.

The most interesting and challenging part of sailing to Heikkala is the number of variables he must keep track of.

– Now that I’ve made it to this point, the hardest part is getting everything right, of course. There’s always some part in every race, even just one wave or start, that can cost me time. The conditions can change many times during the day, so every race is so unpredictable.

For now, the most memorable achievement for Heikkala came from last season’s World Championship Preliminaries in Denmark, where he snatched his place to the World Championships.

– This season has been really great, too, but that race went so well that it’s the first one that comes to mind.

His next big goal is the Youth European Championships in Belgium in July, where he will aim for the top 5. After that, he’s looking to place in at least the top 10 in the World Championships in Hanko, Finland.

What exactly is an E-dinghy?

A Europe Class dinghy, shortened to E-dinghy, is a light one-person dinghy with a mast of around 5 meters. The E-dinghy is tailored to fit the sailor by measuring the mast to the sailor’s weight. E-dinghies were an Olympian class until 2007, but it is still a favorite among European sailors. Young sailors usually start with the Optimist dinghy, but when Heikkala returned to sailing as a teenager, he ended up training with the E-dinghy for a very practical reason:

– Many people say that if you learn to sail with an E-dinghy, you’ll know how to sail them all. It’s a really good jumping-off point to the Olympic classes. 

Regarding essential equipment and technology on the dinghy, Heikkala’s first pick is easily the mast.

– All of the critical adjustments have to do with the mast. The mast’s angle in relation to the deck, called “rake,” can be adjusted to fit different conditions. Every time before sailing, we measure the distance between the top of the mast and the stern and then adjust based on the weather, for example.

Before a competition, especially in windy conditions, Heikkala checks and tightens all the shackles, screws, and bolts, checks the sail for any tears and makes sure there are no issues with the hull.

Apart from a broken keel, Heikkala has been lucky and hasn’t had any equipment failures during his competitions. He has, however, seen others deal with plenty of mishaps, from torn sails to even a broken mast in Olympic Classes.

– Luckily, the E-dinghy has a really sturdy and flexible carbon fiber mast; those don’t really break off, he laughs.

Heikkala is also prepared for any such accidents and knows what to do if something were to interrupt his race.

– You just make your way to the side to your coach. There, you fix whatever you can and get ready for the next start. We have tool kits and spares for pretty much every part of the dinghy that could break during sailing.

Do you have any pre- or post-competition traditions?

– I don’t have any set traditions, but I guess there are some recurring things. A week before a competition, I start to get more focused and pay more attention to the tactical stuff when I train. Usually, I wax the dinghy before a competition, Heikkala recounts. On the morning of the competition, I eat a good breakfast, since the time spent on the water during competitions can stretch out to even six hours. But when I get to the water, it’s the same old, same old.

And after the competition?

– The day after a competition is for relaxing and good food, is Heikkala’s determined answer.

Heikkala encourages anyone interested in sailing to get in touch with their closest sailing club coaches or join a beginner’s course.

Most clubs will have everything ready for newcomers, from dinghies to life vests!

What’s the best thing about sailing?

– Just the sailing itself, being on the water and in the dinghy. Add good weather and wind, and it’s just the best there is.

If you could sail anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?

– Probably Marseille! Where they’re holding the Olympic sailing events this year.

Heikkala doesn’t specify whether he’d be there to sail in the Olympic races or just go for a nice day out ~

For anyone interested in sailing, Heikkala encourages them to get in touch with their closest sailing club. 

– Sailing Team Oulu, for example, has at least one beginner course every summer, and if you miss that, just get in touch with the coaches! Tell them you’re interested and want to try it out; there’s always room for more people.

Heikkala also wants to send his greetings to everyone at V.A.V. Group: 

– At this point, the travel costs, especially, get really rough. It’s so amazing that V.A.V. Group wants to support me in this. Not to mention that the slogan, “Seal your success,” is pretty sweet. I’m really excited to have that on the boom! 

Artikkeli V.A.V. Group is Sponsoring Finnish E-Dinghy Sailor Hugo Heikkala julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran V.A.V. Group.

InnoTrans | September 24–27

InnoTrans is a leading international trade fair for transport technology, held biennially in Berlin, Germany. It focuses on innovations in railway technology, infrastructure, public transport, interiors, and tunnel construction. The event attracts exhibitors and visitors from around the world, showcasing the latest products, services, and developments in the transportation sector. It serves as a key platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and business opportunities within the industry.

Our Fire X fireproof seal profile has the qualifications needed, especially for rolling stock and other transportation, and recently received the highest HL3 hazard level of updated EN 45545-2:2020 standard! And, since the railway industry demands such high standards for fire safety, the Fire X can also easily be used in other environments with less strict requirements.

You can find us at:
Hall 8.1 | Stand 335

Alihankinta Subcontracting Fair | October 1–3

Tampere Trade Fairs organizes dozens of high-quality exhibitions for both professionals and consumers in Tampere every year. Alihankinta Subcontractor is Finland’s leading industrial event that presents the latest industrial, design, and consulting solutions for the metal, electronics, plastics, and rubber industries.

We manufacture durable, high-quality profiles for all construction needs. In the door and window industries, for example, the most common profile material is silicone, but other materials like TPE or TPV are used depending on the use case. Profiles in construction industries require a long service life, weather resistance, high tolerance for temperature changes, fast recovery, and UV resistance. 

Remember, your choice of material can be customized to meet various requirements.

You can find us at:
Hall A | Section A 531

Is there something in particular you would like to discuss during these events?

Learn more about these events at their respective websites:

Artikkeli Trade fairs and events of Fall 2024 julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran V.A.V. Group.

We understand that the weeks leading up to midsummer tend to be the busiest for many of our clients. That’s why we encourage you to plan ahead and ensure that your shipments are in order. By getting your orders in early, you can enjoy the convenience of a stress-free process, knowing that your products will be delivered on time and without delay.

Are you in need of profiles or gaskets for your upcoming projects? Look no further! Our team is here to assist you every step of the way. Whether you’re embarking on a new venture or simply restocking for ongoing operations, we’re committed to helping you get your project underway smoothly and efficiently.

Don’t let the summer heat slow you down—get ahead of the game with V.A.V. Group. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and place your orders. Let’s make the coming summer a season of success for your business!

Artikkeli Get Ready for Summer 2024 with V.A.V. Group! julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran V.A.V. Group.